classd4sure said:
Yes, I found the amp more dynamic and able to better resolve complex passages.
It was a noticeable improvement.
Hello All,
Lately I've been revising some parts of my UcD400AD amp. I have removed extra filtering in my PS design that was robing some dynamics...
I'm now tackling some parts upgrades. I'll be trying some higher grade capacitors soon. I'm thinking about replacing the Panasonic polypropylene bypasses with Auricaps, and some Panasonic electrolytic's (in the modules only) with Black Gates. My main concern is that to replace the main electrolytic's (originally Nichicon 470uF/100, now Panasonic FC 680uF/100V) with Black Gates, I'll have to reduce capacitance significantly. My two replacement choices that would fit on the modules are BG Standard 220uF/100V and BG FK 100uF/100V. FK being higher quality but less than 1/4 of the original capacitance. Could the lower capacitance be an issue? Has anybody tried that?
Bruno, any thoughts on that issue?
Thanks,
Lately I've been revising some parts of my UcD400AD amp. I have removed extra filtering in my PS design that was robing some dynamics...
I'm now tackling some parts upgrades. I'll be trying some higher grade capacitors soon. I'm thinking about replacing the Panasonic polypropylene bypasses with Auricaps, and some Panasonic electrolytic's (in the modules only) with Black Gates. My main concern is that to replace the main electrolytic's (originally Nichicon 470uF/100, now Panasonic FC 680uF/100V) with Black Gates, I'll have to reduce capacitance significantly. My two replacement choices that would fit on the modules are BG Standard 220uF/100V and BG FK 100uF/100V. FK being higher quality but less than 1/4 of the original capacitance. Could the lower capacitance be an issue? Has anybody tried that?
Bruno, any thoughts on that issue?
Thanks,
Hi,
It's no issue if you like more than double the ripple on your rails and EMI related artifacts.
I wouldn't put them on if someone gave me the caps for free.
The mod uses more capacitance than standard in order to minimize this further.
You might instead consider them // to FC's on the back of the PCB, that might be fun.
Regards,
Chris
It's no issue if you like more than double the ripple on your rails and EMI related artifacts.
I wouldn't put them on if someone gave me the caps for free.
The mod uses more capacitance than standard in order to minimize this further.
You might instead consider them // to FC's on the back of the PCB, that might be fun.
Regards,
Chris
Julien_M said:
How did they sound with the 100V 680uF GC caps? I have those at home and wanted to use them as a replacement. Actually have been thinking of using two in parallel (as suggested in the post below as well, one on the top of the PCB and one on the bottom) to reduce parasitic inductance and resistance. If you go the BGs, you will probaly not get lower series resistance and inductance as with the FC caps as you can only use a lower value BG cap. I think the capacitance itself for those caps is not the most important factor, it is probably the lower series resistance and inductance that is most important.
Best regards
Gertjan
It sure is. Didn't you get some black gates on your modules back in the day? What and where? Coupling caps I think huh?
Cheers
classd4sure said:
Yes, coupling caps (HiQ-NX versions) and decoupling caps for the regulators. I think using BGs caps instead of the 470uF caps may not be worthwhile (I have some 100V 100uF BGs) as the series resistance of the 680uF 100V FC caps is lower. I can give it a try however sometime on my tweeter amps where I guess they would be most beneficial (if any difference at all).
Best regards
Gertjan
ghemink said:
Hi,
I agree with you, as usual it seems. I don't think it's worth it either 🙂
Regards,
Chris
I decided to order the Black Gates anyway. I must see what they can do to the modules. I'll use the Standard BG 220uF/100V. I'm also changing the regulator caps to BG FK 22uF/50V. With some luck I might get them tomorrow (Saturday).
I'll also try some Sonicap Teflon caps in my PS rails. The 0.1uF/200V is quite compact and half the price of the Auricaps. I plan to install them at the bottom of the modules where the DC comes in.
Gertjan, I liked the improvements with the FC caps there. Everything became more transparent. It was a noticeable improvement. The caps will take about a week to break in properly. They'll sound thin and overly smooth in the beginning.
I'll also try some Sonicap Teflon caps in my PS rails. The 0.1uF/200V is quite compact and half the price of the Auricaps. I plan to install them at the bottom of the modules where the DC comes in.
ghemink said:
Gertjan, I liked the improvements with the FC caps there. Everything became more transparent. It was a noticeable improvement. The caps will take about a week to break in properly. They'll sound thin and overly smooth in the beginning.
Julien_M
"I'll also try some Sonicap Teflon caps in my PS rails. The 0.1uF/200V is quite compact and half the price of the Auricaps. I plan to install them at the bottom of the modules where the DC comes in."
As far as I know the Sonicraft Teflon caps are all 600V and dsignated the Platinum series on their website. They definately are not less expensive than Auricaps. They are quite a bit more expensive.
You are probably getting Sonicap Gen II's.
Look forward to your opinion on the BG performance.
"I'll also try some Sonicap Teflon caps in my PS rails. The 0.1uF/200V is quite compact and half the price of the Auricaps. I plan to install them at the bottom of the modules where the DC comes in."
As far as I know the Sonicraft Teflon caps are all 600V and dsignated the Platinum series on their website. They definately are not less expensive than Auricaps. They are quite a bit more expensive.
You are probably getting Sonicap Gen II's.
Look forward to your opinion on the BG performance.
Stevenacnj said:
Yes, you're right. I meant Sonicaps Gen II. The Teflon ones are what I'd like to try on my DAC tube buffer in the future...
Re: UcD400AD gain settings
Sorry to dig up the old gain issue. On the 400AD - If I remove the 560 ohm resistor altogether then the voltage gain would be set to 4.55 or am I missing something? (B is infinite).
Would I damage anything by doing so?
Thanks in advance.
Julien_M said:
Sorry to dig up the old gain issue. On the 400AD - If I remove the 560 ohm resistor altogether then the voltage gain would be set to 4.55 or am I missing something? (B is infinite).
Would I damage anything by doing so?
Thanks in advance.
Julien_M said:
Thanks, expect a nice improvement with the FCs then
do those 330uF BGs fit on the board?
What music do you guys use ?
We have plenty of comments about improvements with component changes.
Like for example "...able to better resolve complex passages.
....."
So what music or section of music was used to determine that difference ? It might help others as a reference and might give feedback to the person making the statements .
So what are the favourite albums/tracks/scections that you guys are using to determine the peformance of your circuits . And what differences do you hear.
Cheers.
We have plenty of comments about improvements with component changes.
Like for example "...able to better resolve complex passages.
....."
So what music or section of music was used to determine that difference ? It might help others as a reference and might give feedback to the person making the statements .
So what are the favourite albums/tracks/scections that you guys are using to determine the peformance of your circuits . And what differences do you hear.
Cheers.
Re: Re: UcD400AD gain settings
Exchange the 560 ohms for 180 ohms. I did this with all my UCD's because I only use passive preamps. The unit becomes a bit more sensitive for cap. coupling effects with the higher gain and the crosstalk will be influenced a bit depending on the wiring.lucpes said:
Re: Re: Re: UcD400AD gain settings
No, I am trying to decrease the gain to a minimum, ideally the 4.55 voltage gain of the UcD modulator, keeping the input opamp as a unity gain buffer only.
Thanks again.
Bgt said:
No, I am trying to decrease the gain to a minimum, ideally the 4.55 voltage gain of the UcD modulator, keeping the input opamp as a unity gain buffer only.
Thanks again.
sorry, I answered the wrong person.ghemink said:
The BG 220uF/100V have the same diameter as the FC's. They might be taller though. They should fit. I'll be getting them tomorrow...
Julien_M said:
Be sure to let us know in three months how they sound 🙂 Well, maybe something in the meantime wouldn't hurt.
I'd like to know how long it takes before they start to sound OK.
Cheers,
Chris
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