Where do you buy DIY audio parts (higher end)

heiney9 · January 13

Looking for a source for (4) - Nichicon - KG Series "Gold Tune" 4700uF 35V caps. These are specific, drop in upgraded replacements. These are snap in type.

TIA

H9

F1nut · January 13

https://www.hificollective.co.uk/catalog/nkg036-4700uf-nichicon-type-gold-tune-snapin-p-8356.html

However, out of stock.

Otherwise, Amazon and eBay...probably Chinese fakes.

heiney9 · January 13

Jesse,

They are the only on-line supplier I've found besides this place.

https://www.audiogears.it/en-us/nichicon-kg-4700-f-35v/

I believe they are in France, shipping is a bit prohibitive at 36 euro's. And stock is not expected until early Feb.

I really want to stay away from Amazon and E-bay, because of the possible fakes. I thought there may be a place not on my Google search.

I found these (50V), but I have to look at the dimensions to see if they fit. Taller is fine. They are in France also. 23 euro's to ship to the US......a little better.

https://www.audiophonics.fr/en/nichicon/nichicon-kg-gold-tune-hifi-audio-capacitor-50v-4700f-p-5572.html

This is one of (3) specific plug n play upgraded caps for the Pass DIY Amp Camp Amp. I am not in a huge hurry as I just bought the new kits today.

But I thought I'd start accumulating the parts. The other (2) caps and the 3-4 resistors are available at Mouser........this is the one that has become hard to find currently.

H9

pitdogg2 · January 13

Digikey?

heiney9 · January 13

pitdogg2 wrote: »

Digikey?

Thanks Ivan, I've checked all the "usual" places. Well, usual in my mind.......

PartsConnexion; HiFi Collective; Mouser; Digikey; Parts Express & Audiophonics.

I know there are some harder core DIYers, thought someone might have "an off the beaten path" place or connection.

Does going up in voltage change anything significant? I can get 50V or 63V, obviously they are a bit larger physically. I know I can't go down in voltage. The power supply for this amp is 24V, I think running a 25V cap is a gamble and is asking for trouble.

H9

F1nut · January 13

Try looking for Mundorf or Audio Note. Both are excellent.

heiney9 · January 13

Yes, I've heard that from several places. The Mundorf's are a bit pricey for this project, but not completely out of the running.

https://partsconnexion.com/mundorf-electrolytic-capacitor-4700uf-40vdc-mlytic-ag-mlgo-series-polar-radial/

So far the only Audio Note I've run across are the 25V and 63V. The 25V is decent price the 63V is only a couple dollars less than the Mundorf's above.

Once the kit arrives I can measure how much space I have then I can better pick a higher voltage cap that still physically fits.

I believe the kit is sent with standard Nichicons except a couple smaller coupling caps are the excellent ELNA Silmic II's. Each channel has (4) caps. The person who did the mods is "upgrading" 3 of the 4, leaving one of the (2) Silmic II's in place.

I am building mono's so I need (2X) the upgraded parts. (4) of the Mundorf caps would be over $100 shipped. But, if I am going to do the minor tweaks, I'd rather do it now while building than after and have to disassemble the pcbs.

H9

heiney9 · January 13

At this point I'll start out practicing on old pcb's I have saved specifically for practice. Then I need to re-do the RT25i crossovers. Then I'll jump into Pass DIY mono amp build.

One thing is for sure......my skills are a bit rusty. LOL

I want to have these parts now while I'm all up in the DIY threads.

H9

pitdogg2 · January 13

Going up in voltage is perfectly fine as long as you have room. I would be leery as well with a 25v with a 24v PS... I would want at least a 35v

heiney9 · January 13

I agree Ivan. I'm no EE, but I understand the basics.

Looking at this close up of a single channel PCB, there is a bit of room for a physically bigger cap at (C1). Just have to be aware of the spacing for the leads. I am going to keep looking for the 35V "snap in" type.

H9

P.s. this isn't as big a close up as I thought it would be.

msg · January 13

pitdogg2 wrote: »

Going up in voltage is perfectly fine as long as you have room. I would be leery as well with a 25v with a 24v PS... I would want at least a 35v

35v component or power supply?

heiney9 · January 13

msg wrote: »

pitdogg2 wrote: »

Going up in voltage is perfectly fine as long as you have room. I would be leery as well with a 25v with a 24v PS... I would want at least a 35v

35v component or power supply?

35V component when using 24V PS.

heiney9 · January 13

I'm in for $757 for (2) full kits including chassis. I really don't need to spend even more. These "complete" kits have been available more off than on since the original version back in like 2015 or something.

They came back in stock early last week and I received an email today stating they were selling fast and would soon be sold out again. So, I took the plunge and bought a pair so I could run mono (for more power and better sound). I didn't want to take a chance of them being sold out permanently if I only bought one.....lol

These have been getting rave reviews everywhere for years. I was a bit skeptical that a small parts counts 8-10wpc amp could really sound spectacular off of a smps no less. If it wasn't an NP design (he sourced the J-Fets from his own supply) I would never have spent this much.

Upgrading parts seems silly in one respect, but this amp has been upgraded over time to sound better and to perform better. And a few more tweaks here and there takes it a bit higher.

The latest version is the best version. I am so stoked to build these and listen to them. Do I need them, no I don't. But, I want them for a near field listening rig I am assembling.

There are some stellar DIY pre-amps including one Wayne Colburn, Nelson's partner, designed for the DIY community. And a Nelson Pass designed pre-amp using a Korg Nu-tube triode w/ the B1 buffer. The full kit is out of stock, but I think you can the parts separately.

We will see how my skills hold up. By nature I am impatient, but I think a project like this will force me to slow down. By nature I am also a perfectionist.....to the point of paralysis. This should help with that as well. It's ok if my soldering isn't in the 99.9th percentile.

I did buy an extra set of PCB's for $10 just in case I really mess it up.......lol

H9

P.s. it's also reassuring to know there are 2 step by step build guides for this amp.

msg · January 13

I almost picked up a pair of these kits several years ago, myself. Curious to see how you like the setup once complete.

Which speakers do you think you'll be using? R200s?

heiney9 · January 13

msg wrote: »

I almost picked up a pair of these kits several years ago, myself. Curious to see how you like the setup once complete.

Which speakers do you think you'll be using? R200s?

Firstly, these won't be my first project, so it may be a few months before I complete them and review them. I picked them up now for fear of permanently being sold out.

I plan to run them on a pair of modded RT25i's. But yes, they will get a work out on the R200's as well. I'll probably throw them on the L600's as well.

My first project is upgrading the RT25i crossovers. I need to get some tools and supplies before I can start those.

I've read too many good things about them, and being a NP fan, these belong in my audio stable. Until I moved into the new place I really had no where to use them. Now I do.... or atleast I tell myself I do...lol

Running them in parallel mono should be 16-20 wpc. I am not trying to move mountains or achieve ear splitting spl.

H9

heiney9 · January 15

If anyone cares, I was given the specific link to Mouser and they still have close to 200 - Nichicon 4700uF 35V KG - Gold Tune caps in stock. They are discontinued, and when gone they are gone.

I hate or rather lack experience in using the correct parameters when searching Mouser or Digikey. I was never able to find the Nichicon's by searching myself...........not sure why.

Also, there are 4 upgraded/changed value metal film resistors I did finally find by searching Mouser, but it was like pulling teeth to find them it seems.

I bought extra parts for each part number, just in case. A little over $75 in improved/upgraded parts. $25 of it is probably the (2) extra of each part I bought.

For those interested, this is the DIYAudio thread I'm following

https://www.diyaudio.com/community/threads/aca-amp-with-premium-parts.328357/

H9

pitdogg2 · January 15

Yep I feel your pain with those search features, major suckosity!

Nichicon 4700uF 35V KG - Gold Tune caps

Are these the same as KG muse? I was under the impression that the KG muse was their TOTL audio caps.

heiney9 · January 16

Nichicon makes both the KG and Muse lines. They are both for higher end audio applications. They are different designs. The KG line are larger values used in power supplies. The Muse line are smaller values used in the signal path. Both lines are well regarded and are among the top electrolytics made.

H9

VR3 · January 16

Kind of a shot in the dark but you can email abbas audio in the Ukraine and see if he has any or has a source

invalid · January 16

I never directly search mouser or digikey, I just use Google and type in the product and then type in at mouser or digikey the product usually pops up.

heiney9 · January 16

VR3 wrote: »

Kind of a shot in the dark but you can email abbas audio in the Ukraine and see if he has any or has a source

Appreciate the information.

They are discontinued, but Mouser still has over 200 in stock. For some reason they didn't come up in my search at the website. I was provided with a direct link and viola......they had them.

I now have all the specific upgrade parts in my cart. (4) various Vishay resistors, (2) Aluminum Organic Polymer caps and (1) upgraded electrolytic cap, per board. I am building mono's so that's 4 times each component except the bridging resistor I only need 1 for each mono.

I am taking a short cut and adding the upgraded parts during the build. I thought about building as is and then doing the upgrades, but I don't want to do the extra work. These upgrades are subtle and it never hurts to use premium parts.

The values are slightly different so there is a slight variation to the original build. They are mostly to increase gain a bit, better filter SMPS noise, and optimize running in parallel mono, which it what I am going to do.

You can run in balanced mono too, my pre isn't balanced however. They are cool in that you can run in stereo or a pair in balanced mono, bridged single ended mono or parallel mono, all with the flip of a switch.

H9

Where do you buy DIY audio parts (higher end)

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