Which Electrolytic Caps are Best?

saemark30
saemark30 Posts: 146
edited January 2013 in DIY, Mods & Tweaks
Looking to recap some 70's electronics like amps and tape machines.
Which brands and types from a parts place like partsconnexxions is good sound quality.
I'm not looking for Black Gates but read Elna SILMIC II are great.
Nichicon are muse reliable. Some types of Panasonics are smooth performers.

What makes them sound different ,ESR?
Post edited by saemark30 on
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  • pitdogg2
    pitdogg2 Posts: 25,571
    edited December 2012
    Elna silmic II are good Nichicon Muse and Fine golds, and panasonic's
    but more than anything you need to keep in mind space will be the guy that determines what you will ultimately use. When i completely recapped my Sony ES CD player(46caps) it was built around Elna Dourex II's DO NOT BUY THOSE they will eat through a pc board FAST when they leak and they will LEAK. I wanted to use Nichicon's FG and Muse but the size was bigger in diameter and would not fit the board as well as Elna Simlic II's
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  • saemark30
    saemark30 Posts: 146
    edited December 2012
    Yes space is why not using MKP!
    Which Panasonics are good, gold tops?
    There are many Nichicon types FG, FW, HZ, KA, KG, KX, KZ, NT, SW. Which are best for AC coupling?
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  • pitdogg2
    pitdogg2 Posts: 25,571
    edited December 2012
    saemark30 wrote: »
    Yes space is why not using MKP!
    Which Panasonics are good, gold tops?
    There are many Nichicon types FG, FW, HZ, KA, KG, KX, KZ, NT, SW. Which are best for AC coupling?

    heres a link the same link F1nut sent me when i asked the same question several months back

    http://tech.juaneda.com/en/articles/electrolyticcapacitors.html

    I used Nichicon(FG) Fine Gold in my power supply some of the Nichicons are not audio grade google it and a lot comes up. When I sent my Carver to be completely rebuilt they used all panasonics which have a very low ESR from what I'm told. The Elna Simlic II's are also on the chart in the link.

    i copied this from DIY
    The difference between standard capacitors and audio grade is not in the technical characteristics (ESR...) They are made with different internal material. For example ELNA Silmic II are made with silk fiber. It damp internal vibrations. With high end material there is important difference in audio rendering between standard capacitors and audio grade capacitors.
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,649
    edited December 2012
    If you can find the values you need, Mundorf makes excellent electrolytic caps.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • lanchile
    lanchile Posts: 560
    edited December 2012
    F1nut wrote: »
    If you can find the values you need, Mundorf makes excellent electrolytic caps.
    Agree 100%., I "only" use Mundorf audio grade caps in my amps! Those German people know how to build great staff!
    Make it simple...Make it better!
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  • zingo
    zingo Posts: 11,258
    edited December 2012
    I always try to use 105 degree caps when possible in amps as they tend to last longer with the heat.
    Jake
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  • ErasmusBDragon
    ErasmusBDragon Posts: 113
    edited December 2012
    In a crossover, Sonicaps is very good.
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  • cristo
    cristo Posts: 231
    edited December 2012
    I didn't think Sonicap made electrolytic capacitors.
    cristo

    NAD C 545BEE cd player, Philips AF877 turntable / Shure V15V-MR with JICO SAS stylus,
    Tascam 122 mkIII cassette deck, Harman Kardon 3480 receiver, Terk FM-50 antenna in the attic,
    Soundcraftsmen SE550 stereo equalizer, Polk Monitor 10a speakers
    (with Sonicraft/Solen/Mills crossover rebuild)
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,649
    edited December 2012
    cristo wrote: »
    I didn't think Sonicap made electrolytic capacitors.

    They don't.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • saemark30
    saemark30 Posts: 146
    edited December 2012
    Has anyone tried tantalum capacitors for coupling circuits? This is actually used in some professional equipment.
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  • saemark30
    saemark30 Posts: 146
    edited December 2012
    Is there really a difference in the sound of electrolytic capacitors? Even the best are worst than any MKP or MKT cap.
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,649
    edited December 2012
    Is there really a difference in the sound of electrolytic capacitors?

    Of course there is.
    Even the best are worst than any MKP or MKT cap.

    But they are limited in their capacitance and voltage ratings.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • westmassguy
    westmassguy Posts: 6,850
    edited December 2012
    saemark30 wrote: »
    Looking to recap some 70's electronics like amps and tape machines.
    Which brands and types from a parts place like partsconnexxions is good sound quality.
    I'm not looking for Black Gates but read Elna SILMIC II are great.
    Nichicon are muse reliable. Some types of Panasonics are smooth performers.

    What makes them sound different ,ESR?
    Panasonic FC Series, and the newer FM series are excellent general pupose Electrolytics, that just happen to sound good.
    Nichicon Muse is very good, but careful when ordering there are two grades, two price points.
    My own preference is Elna Silmic IIs, they're outstanding. Their Cerafine line is very good also
    Home Theater/2 Channel:
    Front: SDA-2ATL forum.polkaudio.com/discussion/143984/my-2as-finally-finished-almost/p1
    Center: Custom Built forum.polkaudio.com/discussion/150760/my-center-channel-project/p1
    Surrounds & Rears: Custom Built forum.polkaudio.com/discussion/151647/my-surround-project/p1
    Sonicaps, Mills, RDO-194s-198s, Dynamat, Hurricane Nuts, Blackhole5
    Pioneer Elite VSX-72TXV, Carver PM-600, SVS PB2-Plus Subwoofer

    dhsspeakerservice.com/
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  • saemark30
    saemark30 Posts: 146
    edited January 2013
    Where do you buy them without paying high shipping costs?
    Ebay items look fake!!!
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  • westmassguy
    westmassguy Posts: 6,850
    edited January 2013
    saemark30 wrote: »
    Where do you buy them without paying high shipping costs?
    Ebay items look fake!!!
    I buy from Mouser and Digikey. I believe they both ship to Canada.
    Home Theater/2 Channel:
    Front: SDA-2ATL forum.polkaudio.com/discussion/143984/my-2as-finally-finished-almost/p1
    Center: Custom Built forum.polkaudio.com/discussion/150760/my-center-channel-project/p1
    Surrounds & Rears: Custom Built forum.polkaudio.com/discussion/151647/my-surround-project/p1
    Sonicaps, Mills, RDO-194s-198s, Dynamat, Hurricane Nuts, Blackhole5
    Pioneer Elite VSX-72TXV, Carver PM-600, SVS PB2-Plus Subwoofer

    dhsspeakerservice.com/
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  • pitdogg2
    pitdogg2 Posts: 25,571
    edited January 2013
    I bought from Parts Conixion
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  • cnh
    cnh Posts: 13,284
    edited January 2013
    The best are those that are "eternal" (never wear out), I believe some Scientologists might know where to source those (they are clad in titanium)! lol

    cnh
    Currently orbiting Bowie's Blackstar.!

    Polk Lsi-7s, Def Tech 8" sub, HK 3490, HK HD 990 (CDP/DAC), AKG Q701s
    [sig. changed on a monthly basis as I rotate in and out of my stash]
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