Amp Capacitor Upgrade Question

PolkMaster1
PolkMaster1 Posts: 847
edited February 2011 in DIY, Mods & Tweaks
Does anyone have any experience on modding their power amplifiers with better caps than the ones they originally come with for better sound?

If so, can anyone recommend caps that make their amps sound better on solid state amps? I know this may be a loaded question given the numerous amps and caps out there.
Statistics show that 98% of us will die at some point in our lifetime.

The other 2% will work for WalMart.
Post edited by PolkMaster1 on
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  • ben62670
    ben62670 Posts: 15,969
    edited February 2011
    I have upgraded the coupling caps in my Adcom GFA-565's to AuriCap's. I also installed some non-polar film caps across the PS caps. I used something like a 20uf Dayton, and a 1uf Dayton. If I were to do it again I would probably use a nice electrolytic cap like a 50uf-100v and and a nice 1uf PolyCap. The mod cleaned it up a bit, smoothed some edginess and tightened the bass a bit. Huge improvement? Not huge, but worth the little bit of coin and effort. Depending on the age of the amp you may want to upgrade the electrolytics in there. Can you post a pic of the amp with the top popped?
    Please. Please contact me a ben62670 @ yahoo.com. Make sure to include who you are, and you are from Polk so I don't delete your email. Also I am now physically unable to work on any projects. If you need help let these guys know. There are many people who will help if you let them know where you are.
    Thanks
    Ben
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  • lanchile
    lanchile Posts: 560
    edited February 2011
    I have build a lot diy amps and I always use Mundorf caps, they are expensive but they are really good. I usually use 20,000uf in 50 watts and 40,000uf in 100 watts per rail. I also like the Panasonic F.:wink:
    Make it simple...Make it better!
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  • ben62670
    ben62670 Posts: 15,969
    edited February 2011
    I like the Panny F's too.
    Please. Please contact me a ben62670 @ yahoo.com. Make sure to include who you are, and you are from Polk so I don't delete your email. Also I am now physically unable to work on any projects. If you need help let these guys know. There are many people who will help if you let them know where you are.
    Thanks
    Ben
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  • PolkMaster1
    PolkMaster1 Posts: 847
    edited February 2011
    Hello Ben.

    No caps have popped. I figure since speaker caps can be upgraded, why not perform some cap upgrades on the amps to see if I can get a more satisfying difference in sound as I did with the XO upgrades. I will see if I can post some pics later on or over the weekend.

    MJ
    Statistics show that 98% of us will die at some point in our lifetime.

    The other 2% will work for WalMart.
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  • PolkMaster1
    PolkMaster1 Posts: 847
    edited February 2011
    Thanks Ben and Lanchile. My current amp has Nichicons in the DC filtering stage.
    Statistics show that 98% of us will die at some point in our lifetime.

    The other 2% will work for WalMart.
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  • lanchile
    lanchile Posts: 560
    edited February 2011
    PolkMaster1 wrote: »
    Hello Ben.

    No caps have popped. I figure since speaker caps can be upgraded, why not perform some cap upgrades on the amps to see if I can get a more satisfying difference in sound as I did with the XO upgrades. I will see if I can post some pics later on or over the weekend.

    MJ


    What kind of amp do you want to upgrade the PS? Can you post some pictures of your amp with the top cover removed to see the PS?
    Make it simple...Make it better!
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  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited February 2011
    Nichicon FG and Muse caps sound good for electrolytics.
    "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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