That is the original rega Elicit from 1990. It is now a series, I think they are at Mk. IV now, but the original is the only one to feature the MC/MM phono stage. MC was dropped at Mk. II and the whole phono section was dropped later on and replaced by a... remote.
I just replaced all of 100+ electrolytics in it, it is good for another 20 years 😎
Usually, only the low voltage power supply filter caps (smaller than amplifier types) and regulator caps need replacement. You have to use stunningly cheap capacitors for many to go bad in the signal path. Pioneer is one such brand where "recapping" can help. Mind you, 99% of recap jobs I see have not been done correctly.
Generally speaking, you are way further ahead to leave them alone unless one fails - then replace it.
After having a look at that schematic, not impressed with that product.
Generally speaking, you are way further ahead to leave them alone unless one fails - then replace it.
After having a look at that schematic, not impressed with that product.
I'm not the type of guy who recaps in search of better sound or whatnot. The amp started humming about 4 years ago, and they failed in a sort of sequence, starting with the PS filter and regulator caps like you suspected. But then they were going to 35 years so I figured i'd better replace the whole. Depending on their location in the circuit, about 80% of them lost capacitance beyond their low-end specification, and for some almost no capacitance was left...
No "audiophile" stuff here, my priority was longeviety so all 8K/10K hours 105°C spec, but I managed to stuff some Rubycons in there.
No "audiophile" stuff here, my priority was longeviety so all 8K/10K hours 105°C spec, but I managed to stuff some Rubycons in there.
Fair enough. Doesn't sound like they were good caps to begin with, or maybe run at high temperatures.
One thing I have noticed is that often the 85° capacitors perform better. But if they are in high temperature locations, go with 105° types. Any good quality capacitor is fine. We have new types today meant for specific purposes, so installing those where their characteristics are improved may help. There is no one best type of capacitor, it all depends on the circuit it is in.
When installing capacitors, make absolutely certain the seals where the leads come through are not stressed. That means you either get caps with the correct lead spacing, or you form the leads taking care not to stress te seals. Most people wreck the seals.
You also want to look at dissipation, not ESR. Measure capacitance at the frequencies the cap will see. Cheap cap testers normally do not use an AC source to test, they use an R-C time constant (or CCS) and time it digitally. Testers are certainly not created equally. Test conditions matter. Your oscilloscope is an excellent indicator of filter cap health.
One thing I have noticed is that often the 85° capacitors perform better. But if they are in high temperature locations, go with 105° types. Any good quality capacitor is fine. We have new types today meant for specific purposes, so installing those where their characteristics are improved may help. There is no one best type of capacitor, it all depends on the circuit it is in.
When installing capacitors, make absolutely certain the seals where the leads come through are not stressed. That means you either get caps with the correct lead spacing, or you form the leads taking care not to stress te seals. Most people wreck the seals.
You also want to look at dissipation, not ESR. Measure capacitance at the frequencies the cap will see. Cheap cap testers normally do not use an AC source to test, they use an R-C time constant (or CCS) and time it digitally. Testers are certainly not created equally. Test conditions matter. Your oscilloscope is an excellent indicator of filter cap health.
Thanks for this piece of advice. I was able to find same lead spacing; Furthermore, modern caps are usually fairly smaller for same capacitance/voltage/temperature specifications, so going from the original 85°C caps to 105°C and often times higher voltage, for filter caps headroom for example, was not a problem in terms of pcb real estate.
Yes, and higher voltage tends to give you a better electrolyte and capacitor performance as well.
There is marketing pressure to make capacitors smaller, and one thing you give up is performance for the smaller size. The sweet spot seems to be from 63 V to 100 V. Of course, you never install any part that is too large to fit the space and hole size.
There is marketing pressure to make capacitors smaller, and one thing you give up is performance for the smaller size. The sweet spot seems to be from 63 V to 100 V. Of course, you never install any part that is too large to fit the space and hole size.