Caps and voltage ratings

Esreuter

Hey all,

I am stumped on something, the voltage rating of capacitors.

I got the idea that what they are rated at is what they can handle, example the electro cpas i removed from my stock XO were 50v I put in 250v and other lines are 400v and 630v.

Aside from how much power you can send through the cap is there any other effect on the audio by the voltage of the cap?

I noticed there is the clarity cap ESA line in 650 and 250 so i was wondering what the true difference is.

because the ESA cap at 250 is a nice deal from parts connexion.

ESR

CoolJazz

The dielectric gets thicker and thicker to prevent breakdown with higher voltages. This will effect the other values (df and q) that makes up a capacitors characteristics which will lead to some level of sonic differences.

So in the same style of capacitor, going up in voltage too far may perhaps have some unintended effect. When you change styles of capacitors, the other differences could be a bigger factor, so it's not the only thing in play for the sonics.

CJ

Joe08867

Like CoolJazz stated, even in the same style capacitor going up can cause subtle changes. You would really need to hear both to notice and even then most people don't hear the differences.

I usually try to get them as matched as I can. So that the voltage abilities are the same across the board. Say all rated at 400vdc and not one at 250vdc and another at 650vdc. Does that really matter? Probably not but it gives me piece of mind that one piece isn't going to burn out before another. And that they are all designed around the same parameters.

Esreuter

I hear ya on matching.

This might be odd, but I would like to ask is the output of AVR and separate amps is it AC or DC?

I know house hold stereo runs on 120ac.

what about their output voltage or does it vary, isnt low voltage safety at 50v ac/dc otherwise the terminals would have to be covered, correct?

I am interested to know this.

ESR:loneranger: