Best electrolytic capacitors

Halo,

Have anyone try Audio Note Kaisei caps? How is it compare to slimic II? I have a 100uf 500V I need to replace but only a few brand has this value including Kaisei. Other is Jensen 4 pole but I need to modified my PCB which I rather not.

I also looking to replace some caps in my power supply. I want to use Mundorf AG or Nichicon KG but they wont fit. I need 1000uf 35V with a diameter less than 15mm. What is the best available?

Thanks
 
Elna capacitors are indeed known to provide better sound and considered to be the best choice on electrolytic capacitors for top end devices. However, there are different audio devices. Thus, in order to find the best, anyone would try to perform a listening comparison between famous series of electrolytic capacitors.
Look up 'oxymoron'
 
Perhaps relevant-unrelevant cap advice from me:

I'm not sure about sound oriented caps, but for power supplies Elna, Rubycon, Nippon-Chemicon, Panasonic and Nichicon are fairly good.

OST also makes good polymer caps, but stay away from their electrolytics.
Taicon is also okay. They're not the highest end but it's part-owned by Nichicon. Used A LOT by Delta and Enhance (makes server psus).

If this is not of use for you, then you can just safely ignore the ticking timer. :')
 
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capacitor age

hello all, and thanks for an interesting read.
I have some old Rifa PEH200 22.000µF 63v with a date stamp of 0106/422663.
Not sure, but I think these will be from 2001 week 06. (or 2006 week 01?)
This is around when i bought them.
I ended up using Elna cerafine 10.000µF 63v in stead.
I am now unsure if it will be smart to use these for my new power amp build.
Anyone have any good advise of capacitor shelf life and aging.
Best regards.
 
Hi Rebone,
To be safe, reform the plates using a current limited supply as close to the rated voltage, but below that, as possible. I use current sources for that purpose (HP 6186B or C). A resistor in series with a voltage supply would work. Gradually increase the current once it has settled near the full voltage and let them sit there for a while, like 10 minutes or so. Discharge them through resistance that will not allow a current greater than the ripple current they are rated for.

-Chris
 
hello all, and thanks for an interesting read.
I have some old Rifa PEH200 22.000µF 63v with a date stamp of 0106/422663.
Not sure, but I think these will be from 2001 week 06. (or 2006 week 01?)
This is around when i bought them.
I ended up using Elna cerafine 10.000µF 63v in stead.
I am now unsure if it will be smart to use these for my new power amp build.
Anyone have any good advise of capacitor shelf life and aging.
Best regards.

Variac slowly increasing VOLTAGE FROM HALF OF THE RATED AND 5 % over, during a day.
 
Hi carlmart,
Yes, that would be fine. Your starting voltage would be where the capacitor begins to draw steady state current as long as that is below the rated voltage. Current draw measured in a few mA that is. Ignore the surge related to the capacitor charging as you increase the voltage.

-Chris
 
Given that a capacitor may be best but it greatly depends on where
it's to be used. In one location it may sound superb but that does
not mean that it's gonna have the same results in another location.
Re Silmic ll think it's too overrated. For 50v down you guys should
try the Nichicon ES bipolar, very very nice, natural sounding & very
good depth & transparency. To me it sounds even better then KZ

Cheers
 
reforming capacitors

Hi, and tanks for your replies.

I found this document from Harvard on reforming capacitors that may also be of interest for others
Rap on Replacing Electrolytic Capacitors

According to Kemet's datasheet on the PEH200, the shelf life is 4 years, so I guess the real question is :
After 10 years shelf life, will reforming them make them good for a new amp that I hope will serve me for another 10-20 years.
Maybe not? Perhaps better to get some new ones?

Best regard
 
I had no luck with the Nichicon HZ in a conventional power supply ! Maybe could be better for a smps power supply !

Me I'm fond of Panasonic FC and very few FR and FM...

But as saud Sumotan : a same cap can be good or bad... no universal use with them...

Silmic II is one of the one I like the less despite what is said by gurus... It can be good in reverve opposite serie for DC blocking if a certain flavor is needed (not sounding like a ES Muse from Nichicon ...)
 
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What is it about Silmic ll that's good ? Is because of Mr Pass comments or ?
It could possibly sound good in Class A amps which I don't play with but
personally I prefer still the original Silmic. Overall Im more impressed with
Nichicon's range of caps enough for us to muck around till no end if one wants
too. If you look inside some hi end stuff from Japan you hardly come across
them using Silmic ll but Nichicon plenty not Fz but lots of FG with a sprinkle
of Es. Before I get bombarded, Im speaking of boutiques hi end not those
coming from Sony, Pioneer, Yamaha etc

Cheers