Bipolar capacitors...replacing BG NX

[MiiB]

I have previously with great pleasure used Blackgate NX-HiQ bipolar capacitors at a few places in my amplifiers.. but now.. they are no longer available....

What is your take on a good replacement..??
I need something like 33-47 uF in low voltage 6.3 V ....I know i can use film,, but I don't have the space...😕

I have tried with cheap multicomp's paralleled with 1uF film...but it's not really the same...

 

[martinbls]

Hi!

There you go:
Nichicon Capacitor Series ES

Regards!
Martin

 

[MiiB]

thanks.... and Rybycon, Panasonic or Sanyo.. are there valid types there...?
and how do they sound vise compare..??

Can't locate any European outlets for Nicicon ES series...

 

[WuYit]

Hi,
common electrolytic capacitors are not optimized for linear frequency response and wide operating frequency range. Testing is the only way to know, I`m afraid.

 

[bob91343]

I seriously doubt you will be able to tell the difference among the various capacitors. Pick one and go with it.

 

[MiiB]

One thing is engineering and specifications.....another is the sound....damping or not damping. mechanics.... plastics..legs.. how the foil is terminated...a lot of things has impact...and capacitors differs tremendously....I know because in my loudspeakers Raidho Acoustics I have tested a lot of different types and brands. We have found that the solid tinfoil-polypropylene type we use is vastly superior to any other type we have tested. It simply much calmer solid and resulted in treble than the other alternatives...and pretty much regardless of cost

Same was the case with the NX-HiQ... it did the same..open and calm at the same time...maybe the tinfoil will be fantastic but making a 22 uF tinfoil is not possible..and would take way way too much space

I guess there's no shortcut....so testing must be the way forward....🙂

 

[WuYit]

MiiB,
I agree with you 100%. Nonmetalized film is better than metalized film. What is the role of that cap?

 

[AndrewT]

Nonmetalized film is better than metalized film.

metal foil and film are different from metalised film.

They are simply different and designed to be different to suit different usage.
Select which better suits your proposed usage.

 

[WuYit]

Andrew,
as I said, plain film and extended foil is better than metalized film as it gives lower inductance and ESR. Of course they are different.

 

[AndrewT]

Wuyit,
both your statements are untrue.

For example,
I am looking for a self healing capacitor that can meet the X1 specification to attach across the mains leads in my new gear.

I'll bet you will have a difficult search trying to find a film foil that is better for this duty.

Select the type to suit the usage.

 

[WuYit]

Andrew,
look, I`m not going to discuss this with you.
For that purpose I recommend widely available x-rated metalized polypropylene film capacitors with excellent self-healing property.

 

[MiiB]

For crossover in speakers we have manufactured a low voltage (100 V) version of the tinfoil capacitor....It's physically smaller and shorter than the 250 V types normally sold..it's also better spec'ed.. thinner film=smaller plates=less inductance. The solid foil makes the current capability larger.. which is important for speaker usage.. as it is current that drives them...

for this bipolar capacitor it will be used two places in an amplifier..one is to ensure symmetry in the bias spreading the other i between the legs in a ltp bipolar input stage.