Capacitor Health

skrol
skrol Posts: 3,393
edited September 2009 in Vintage Speakers
I have heard many of you speak of electrolytic capacitors drying out with age. It sounds like they are good for about 20 years. I was wondering what are the symptoms of over aged capacitors? Which way does the value change? Do they tend to short or open? Sonically, what are the symptoms?

The reason I ask is that, as some of you have read in another thread, I recently started using my vintage 1983 Monitor 5A's. The more I listen, they just don't sound right. All the drivers are functioning but they just don't seem very open and kind of like listening to radio. The speakers are all original and could likely use an XO rebuild by now.

Thanks
Stan
Stan

Main 2ch:
Polk LSi15 (DB840 upgrade), Parasound: P/LD-1100, HCA-1000A; Denon: DVD-2910, DRM-800A; Benchmark DAC1, Monster HTS3600-MKII, Grado SR-225i; Technics SL-J2, Parasound PPH-100.

HT:
Marantz SR7010, Polk: RTA11TL (RDO198-1, XO and Damping Upgrades), S4, CS250, PSW110 , Marantz UD5005, Pioneer PL-530, Panasonic TC-P42S60

Other stuff:
Denon: DRA-835R, AVR-888, DCD-660, DRM-700A, DRR-780; Polk: S8, Monitor 5A, 5B, TSi100, RM7, PSW10 (DXi104 upgrade); Pioneer: CT-6R; Onkyo CP-1046F; Ortofon OM5E, Marantz: PM5004, CD5004, CDR-615; Parasound C/PT-600, HCA-800ii, Sony CDP-650ESD, Technics SA 5070, B&W DM601
Post edited by skrol on
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Comments

  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 19,215
    edited September 2009
    [Sonically] Crackle in the sound, abnormal push, [Physically] bulging and leakage are the typical culprits. Listen and observe. If in doubt? Replace or upgrade.
    ~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~
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  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited September 2009
    Yes, values do drift after some time.
    "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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  • skrol
    skrol Posts: 3,393
    edited September 2009
    I found my answer regarding the Monitor 5A's. Speaker stands. I took them off the book shelves and placed then on the stands and it makes a world of difference.

    I did measure the capacitors in one of the XO's and they are still just within spec. The resistors are iffy though.
    Stan

    Main 2ch:
    Polk LSi15 (DB840 upgrade), Parasound: P/LD-1100, HCA-1000A; Denon: DVD-2910, DRM-800A; Benchmark DAC1, Monster HTS3600-MKII, Grado SR-225i; Technics SL-J2, Parasound PPH-100.

    HT:
    Marantz SR7010, Polk: RTA11TL (RDO198-1, XO and Damping Upgrades), S4, CS250, PSW110 , Marantz UD5005, Pioneer PL-530, Panasonic TC-P42S60

    Other stuff:
    Denon: DRA-835R, AVR-888, DCD-660, DRM-700A, DRR-780; Polk: S8, Monitor 5A, 5B, TSi100, RM7, PSW10 (DXi104 upgrade); Pioneer: CT-6R; Onkyo CP-1046F; Ortofon OM5E, Marantz: PM5004, CD5004, CDR-615; Parasound C/PT-600, HCA-800ii, Sony CDP-650ESD, Technics SA 5070, B&W DM601
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  • McLoki
    McLoki Posts: 5,231
    edited September 2009
    Main thing to me is not that the caps drift in value over time - it's more that even a moderately priced cap will sound significantly better than what came stock in your speakers.

    It is such a safe, low-cost and relatively easy upgrade, it's almost foolish not to. Definately some great bang for the buck.

    Michael
    Mains.............Polk LSi15 (Cherry)
    Center............Polk LSiC (Crossover upgraded)
    Surrounds.......Polk LSi7 (Gloss Black - wood sides removed and crossovers upgraded)
    Subwoofers.....SVS 25-31 CS+ and PC+ (both 20hz tune)
    Pre\Pro...........NAD T163 (Modded with LM4562 opamps)
    Amplifier.........Cinepro 3k6 (6-channel, 500wpc@4ohms)
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