I'm simply rebuilding 40 year old crossovers. The old caps are 19uf and 7.5uf. I am having troubles finding many 19uf cap options. So calling the original company, I was told in could simply use a 20uf. But I would PREFER using Jantzen Superior Z Caps ... and they do not make a 20. Here is my question ... Am I correct, that simply using two 10uf capacitors inline with each other WILL definitely affect the sound, when compared to simply using a single 20uf capacitor? Same brand and model, they still will sound differently. Please help an old and feeble memory.
Parallel two 10uF capacitors to get 20uF, and it will be fine. That's only 5% from 19uF.
Or use 15uF paralleled with 3.9uF, very close to 19uF. Use whichever combo is cheaper.
The sound will be just as good as a single capacitor, either way. You might get a discount
when buying four of the 10uF capacitors at the same time, I would hope so.
For the 7.5uF value, you can use either 6.8uF or 8.2uF. Since both are just 10% off, this is still ok.
The old electrolytics were far worse in tolerance than 10%, especially over time.
Or use 15uF paralleled with 3.9uF, very close to 19uF. Use whichever combo is cheaper.
The sound will be just as good as a single capacitor, either way. You might get a discount
when buying four of the 10uF capacitors at the same time, I would hope so.
For the 7.5uF value, you can use either 6.8uF or 8.2uF. Since both are just 10% off, this is still ok.
The old electrolytics were far worse in tolerance than 10%, especially over time.
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If the existing caps are 40 year old electrolytics, the difference between the old caps and the new caps is probably going to be tenfold the difference between new 19uF vs new 20uF. I wouldn't worry about it, use 2x10uF or 10uF+8.2uF.
Careful with replacing very old electrolytic capacitors with modern film, the ESR change can be significant, especially if it's going to ground.
Heavens, I only use Jantzen CrossCaps and find they'e within 3% as per my LCR multimeter.
I honestly cannot see the value in these highly priced capacitors, I know this is an old argument but then, that's marketing I guess, along with the tooth fairy and Santa.
C.M
I honestly cannot see the value in these highly priced capacitors, I know this is an old argument but then, that's marketing I guess, along with the tooth fairy and Santa.
C.M
The rule for combining caps is that the capacitance adds when the caps are paralleled (so not in series as your quest implies).
The second part of your quest opens IMHO a very controversial issue. The specs for a paralleled 2x 10uF caps compared to a single 20uF one are so small (probably only ESR will be half), that if you do a double blind test nobody can hear the difference. And IMHO nobody will hear the difference between any decent film caps of the exact same capacitance.
As rayma said, use whatever combination of caps you want to arrive at a value near 19uF or 7.5uF. You only need to replace the old electrolytic because their capacitance will be far off, but I'm dubious that investing lot of money in a 40Y old speaker has a value (Z caps? really?), what about the drivers?
Ralf