Buy why??? Caps aren't all that expensive. After all, this is a hobby for most of us and a few $ spent here or there enjoying the pastime doesn't seem such a waste to justify absolute scientific proof of any claimed difference between one cap or another; it seems to me. JMO, of course....
I already have both books and have so for several years. Neither brings up ESR or DF. D'Appolito only shows one example of the CLIO and MLSSA systems measuring a polypropylene cap and it's capacitive value varying slightly according to frequency but no mention of mylar caps or comparisons. Please don't think I have zero knowledge of what is involved. Of course no cap or inductor is perfect but if people want to make claims that some caps "sound better" then they should have the data to show why if at all. Anyone can make subjective claims, backing up those claims is another matter.
Oh brother 🙄 well why bother asking about claims for power cords, cables, magic bowls and the latest tweak then? Just throw money at the problem if that's how you do things but not myself.
My advice is to use a polystyrene or polypropylene from a popular manufacturer that appears to be well constructed. ESR is bunk, (in this case) BUT DA is NOT!
Sorry, I didn't realize that you needed this much hand-holding. You do understand that these can be represented as equivalent circuits? Plug them into the crossover models. See what you get.
I am surprised that so many here seem to be ignorant of DA. This is what Richard Marsh, Walt Jung, Scott Wurcer and I worked on in the early 80's. It is real, and can create a relatively large percentage of deviation of the actual composite signal, compared to a more 'ideal' cap. Of course, you can 'force fit' it to look relatively flat, but it IS a deviation from the ideal.
Hand holding? No but I do require for some one to show me one single objective test that gives validity to why a real world cap "sounds better" than another but so far no one has. Anyone can simulate a bad cap SY. I know plenty about speaker crossovers and the components and simulations. Being snarky about it not appreciated by the way. I was expecting something constructive from yourself but forget it.
Then try it (vary the cap model), see the effect on frequency response, and things may be clearer to you.
You may have a point about those other, non cap items you listed because of their significantly higher cost. Perhaps you should visit the forums related to those products and ask your questions there.
However, based on the forum threads related to those other products that I have read in the past, I suspect the absolute, ABX tested scientific, statistical engineer reviewed proof doesn't exist there either. So, you may become mired in analysis paralysis sitting at your computer browsing forums and threads instead of enjoying the music and thus forgoing the pleasure of your hobby. So sad..... 🙁
I have the results from the AD524 differential difference test, from the mid 80's.
Compare figs 5 and 7 carefully. The others are important too.
Compare figs 5 and 7 carefully. The others are important too.
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@ SY
I said a bad cap. Mylar does not have to mean a "bad cap". I already know that by varying the values enough that you can maker anything look bad. No real world testing results it seems hmmmmm. Well if anyone can do one then let me know.
I said a bad cap. Mylar does not have to mean a "bad cap". I already know that by varying the values enough that you can maker anything look bad. No real world testing results it seems hmmmmm. Well if anyone can do one then let me know.
Well, I will try to explain:
We are measuring the RESIDUAL that we cannot adjust out by either, matching the Cap's value, and adjusting a series resistance to match the 'inferior' cap's ESR.
Then, everything that is left, is shown in the 'null'. DA looks virtually the same as a visual representation from a computer, as what you see in this article. The asymmetrical pulse is BANDWIDTH LIMITED, with a rep. rate as low as we could easily sweep to remove any significant problems with INDUCTANCE differences between the caps.
We are measuring the RESIDUAL that we cannot adjust out by either, matching the Cap's value, and adjusting a series resistance to match the 'inferior' cap's ESR.
Then, everything that is left, is shown in the 'null'. DA looks virtually the same as a visual representation from a computer, as what you see in this article. The asymmetrical pulse is BANDWIDTH LIMITED, with a rep. rate as low as we could easily sweep to remove any significant problems with INDUCTANCE differences between the caps.
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