V-Cap's...any opinions.
pearsall001
Posts: 5,249
Anyone have any experience with using V-Caps, in particular their flagship CuTF, the TFTF or the OIMP. In your opinion how do they compare to other brands musically. Also, what other brands would you recommend to take a look at. I'm looking to replace the 4 stock caps in my Music Hall dac25.2 unit.
"2 Channel & 11.2 HT "Two Channel:Magnepan LRSSchiit Audio Freya S - SS preConsonance Ref 50 - Tube preParasound HALO A21+ 2 channel ampBluesound NODE 2i streameriFi NEO iDSD DAC Oppo BDP-93KEF KC62 sub Home Theater:Full blown 11.2 set up.
Post edited by pearsall001 on
Comments
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I've used Sonic Cap Platinums, which are very similar to the TFTF. Expect more transparency, dynamics, and lack of coloration. But, in some rigs there can be a touch of dryness or sterility. Supposedly the CuTF is a little warmer and is what I would have used if they were available then.
But then again, another option is the Claritycap MR. Smaller values are now being made and should be available soon.
How would you describe the sound of your rig now and how are you looking to change it?"He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche -
I've used Sonic Cap Platinums, which are very similar to the TFTF. Expect more transparency, dynamics, and lack of coloration. But, in some rigs there can be a touch of dryness or sterility. Supposedly the CuTF is a little warmer and is what I would have used if they were available then.
But then again, another option is the Claritycap MR. Smaller values are now being made and should be available soon.
How would you describe the sound of your rig now and how are you looking to change it?
Now that I've sold my AAD's & have the LSi15's I'd say the sound is a tad more on the mellow side. It's a new musical presentation that I really am enjoying. My basis on replacing the stock caps is due to the fact that manufactures design their products to meet a certain price point. After replacing the stock tube with an Amperex Bugle Boy tube & replacing the stock op-amps with Burson HD op-amps the difference I am now hearing is not subtle to say the least.
So the next logical step is to replace the stock output caps. It just keeps getting better & better & is a lot of fun seeing & hearing these changes. I'm open for all cap referrals & how they effect the sound moving forward."2 Channel & 11.2 HT "Two Channel:Magnepan LRSSchiit Audio Freya S - SS preConsonance Ref 50 - Tube preParasound HALO A21+ 2 channel ampBluesound NODE 2i streameriFi NEO iDSD DAC Oppo BDP-93KEF KC62 sub Home Theater:Full blown 11.2 set up. -
Standard V-caps would definitely liven things up. I would wait a little bit longer for Clarity MR's though. Do you know what values you need?"He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
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I recently acquired the Music Hall DAC 25.3. Upgrading to a NOS Mullard 6922 made a big improvement in SQ. I've got some NOS Amperex and new Gold Lion 6922's to also try. In an email exchange with Roy Hall he recommended the EAT 6922 and said that was what he uses, but I thought I would try some cheaper alternatives.
It looks like the Burson op-amp is a plug & play replacement, which one did you use? Also I see references to the need to upgrade the power supply diodes and caps to drive the full benefit of the Burson op-amp upgrade, did you also do that?DKG999
HT System: LSi9, LSiCx2, LSiFX, LSi7, SVS 20-39 PC+, B&K 507.s2 AVR, B&K Ref 125.2, Tripplite LCR-2400, Cambridge 650BD, Signal Cable PC/SC, BJC IC, Samsung 55" LED
Music System: Magnepan 1.6QR, SVS SB12+, ARC pre, Parasound HCA1500 vertically bi-amped, Jolida CDP, Pro-Ject RM5.1SE TT, Pro-Ject TubeBox SE phono pre, SBT, PS Audio DLIII DAC -
Standard V-caps would definitely liven things up. I would wait a little bit longer for Clarity MR's though. Do you know what values you need?
By standard do you mean the OIMP version or the TFTF version. If my memory serves me the value I need is 1.5. It looks like you really like the Clarity MR's, what do they do differently from the others?I recently acquired the Music Hall DAC 25.3. Upgrading to a NOS Mullard 6922 made a big improvement in SQ. I've got some NOS Amperex and new Gold Lion 6922's to also try. In an email exchange with Roy Hall he recommended the EAT 6922 and said that was what he uses, but I thought I would try some cheaper alternatives.
It looks like the Burson op-amp is a plug & play replacement, which one did you use? Also I see references to the need to upgrade the power supply diodes and caps to drive the full benefit of the Burson op-amp upgrade, did you also do that?
I went with an Amperex Bugle Boy tube that really opened things up. I also thought about the EAT 6922 but it's pretty pricey. Maybe down the road I'll give it a shot. I did the Burson HD plug & play op-amps. They really made a difference. For now I haven't done anything with the power supply as far as mods go."2 Channel & 11.2 HT "Two Channel:Magnepan LRSSchiit Audio Freya S - SS preConsonance Ref 50 - Tube preParasound HALO A21+ 2 channel ampBluesound NODE 2i streameriFi NEO iDSD DAC Oppo BDP-93KEF KC62 sub Home Theater:Full blown 11.2 set up. -
Thanks! So far I'm really impressed with the MH DAC. It didn't win out over my PS Audio DLIII in the main system with my Magnepan 1.6's, but it came pretty close.DKG999
HT System: LSi9, LSiCx2, LSiFX, LSi7, SVS 20-39 PC+, B&K 507.s2 AVR, B&K Ref 125.2, Tripplite LCR-2400, Cambridge 650BD, Signal Cable PC/SC, BJC IC, Samsung 55" LED
Music System: Magnepan 1.6QR, SVS SB12+, ARC pre, Parasound HCA1500 vertically bi-amped, Jolida CDP, Pro-Ject RM5.1SE TT, Pro-Ject TubeBox SE phono pre, SBT, PS Audio DLIII DAC -
I was referring to the TFTF version, I have no experience with the OIMP version.pearsall001 wrote: »By standard do you mean the OIMP version or the TFTF version. If my memory serves me the value I need is 1.5. It looks like you really like the Clarity MR's, what do they do differently from the others?
As for the MR's, they just do everything right IMO."He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche -
Thanks! So far I'm really impressed with the MH DAC. It didn't win out over my PS Audio DLIII in the main system with my Magnepan 1.6's, but it came pretty close.
If all you did so far was to swap out the tube...you haven't heard nothing yet!! It just keeps getting better.I was referring to the TFTF version, I have no experience with the OIMP version.
As for the MR's, they just do everything right IMO.
Thanks, that's what I thought. I'll have to check out the MR's & also the CuTF V-Cap, they seem to be held in high regard."2 Channel & 11.2 HT "Two Channel:Magnepan LRSSchiit Audio Freya S - SS preConsonance Ref 50 - Tube preParasound HALO A21+ 2 channel ampBluesound NODE 2i streameriFi NEO iDSD DAC Oppo BDP-93KEF KC62 sub Home Theater:Full blown 11.2 set up. -
I have the V cap OIMP in my Wright pre(output coupling caps)They really added some nice warmth/richness to the mids,,while really smoothing out the highs,,certainly improved the top end,and made my overall listening experience much more pleasant,,IIRC,Chris suggests about a 96 hour minimum burn in,and a specific "direction".JC approves....he told me so. (F-1 nut)
