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Cap and Resistor Wars
At the risk of triggering the overly sensitive, I seek experiences.
1) I am using a 100uf shunt capacitor on a high quality 3-way. Currently, I have a bipolar electrolytic in that spot. I could round up a poly cap from Dayton, Audyn, Solen etc., but they aren't cheap. Or, I could parallel three 33uf 160V JF caps for about 1/3 the cost of Solen.
I welcome any experiences with large value poly vs BP caps on woofer shunts.
2) I currently have 2 parallel 82uf 250V Erse caps as the first high-pass component on the mid. Any swap to a single cap would be costly, but WTH if I can be convinced it would be an improvement. Same for alternative brands to parallel.
3) I currently have a mix of Mundorf MOX 10W, Lynk 10W, and Mills 12W resistors in the mid/tweeter circuits. I'd welcome any thoughts on the various brands.
I really want to wrap up this 10-year project and don't mind following sunk costs and spending a bit more for "the good stuff".
Let's hear it!
Comments
While I really like Solens across woofers, as long as it is poly I don't see there being an issue. If there are space limitations, then NPE is the usual suspect and likely required. Using a tank circuit without a resistor in the chain is likely preferable with an NPE due to higher ESR. I would email CurtC, and get his findings on the poly vs NPE across woofers too, as he did change his mind after my test in 2010. He was not the only one.
As to highpasses, I would strongly consider the ASC X386 and X387 caps there. I think they are up to 100uF and cost effective. However, there is nothing wrong with what you have right now.
As to resistors, I found some Lynks in series with a tweeter added sibilance in one instance. I changed them to sandcast and the problem was eliminated. YMMV. Mills and sandcast have never been bad for me.
InDIYana Event Website
I was there in 2010. I'm a believer.
Hmm, those ASC caps seem to be expensive! Apexjr has 75uF metallized poly for $4 a piece. I've got a box of these in the stash. I've got some mids that I high passed with 200uF NPE, been meaning to upgrade those....
RS-Online (formerly Allied) seems to have the best prices. It depends on which stock item you purchase, as some of the same values vary heavily in price, even at the same voltage capacity, and then some are not a regular stock item.
387:
https://us.rs-online.com/capacitors/film-capacitors/?a10=ASC Capacitors&n8479=X387S Series
386:
https://us.rs-online.com/capacitors/film-capacitors/?a10=ASC Capacitors&n8479=X386S Series
InDIYana Event Website
https://www.ebay.com/itm/166074994890?hash=item26aad750ca:g:n~IAAOSwMQ9kVF0J&amdata=enc:AQAIAAAA4BoWuTfMtSZiv8tH3prp4YUHsEVDuUF3La3b7YwOPSMqkMNWfYBW4L2lhMumxOg51ONAvyMEBGzlAoCzCS/Q+FKVBAQQFMQ6IDlyLVrMHzDAUij+dClBzEBrxWnkIj1bq/WfK1W+x3N5FExGwOSfvBsEYm/fR5LPx4xjmJWfvlL4MQ9tOiq1ZGW4K9LA/U0i+v9CRchGWmEydz/60QrzB0PFi2sIHkRB1g85Np3f1bM3p7YOry+PnYE7vhRnn/Dn9fmBskiSmWhl+MqUjaEwJG8hM/bKsorDqV5OTqYlrJe9|tkp:BFBMvubbtopj
The 400V 100uF is only $31.48. The brand is probably identical to a 100 other manufacturers out there.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/266215525890?hash=item3dfbae8e02:g:dakAAOSwq65kHWaV&amdata=enc:AQAIAAAA4CWKfwZW0nbbZz6HG3qzHAdOprlNTApCNKrlSMweLvhLmblnBqXaSYkq1VxL0LGoI0YInUq+30De5pIzWqmGMuUEsQpqI/nIQ2RiM+rpix3c18jdd7I+ZAEmemzQ1wQacN1aR+/U5fJnY3q41AfYy80vBfDeYhWjLJTVe1bkI7S/o3MY2AwhRoVlOd2+sJWKPLIfUOL1NLceZD4z057alNt4Jz6PyfdaCVU+l0xgvv7r/3pMF5A43NYTCpxkF8VGOAPF2821gGjXvL/lAMlstZfG0aucwVUixiPjVrcM9d4D|tkp:BFBMvubbtopj
Cheaper option for 400V 100uF coming in at $21.90.
I know some people do not like the Audiophiler brand - but they always measure spot on and a pair of the 100uF will run you between $45 and $50.
I assume, then Johnny, you are not hearing differences among poly caps. I believe I do, at least on tweeters.
I started from scratch again with new measurement last night. We'll see where that leads before buying more parts. They are starting to pile up again and I'm not even building new speakers. I am clearly not well.
Oh there are differences, but they are swamped by voicing choices.
...and I did identify when Ben switched caps on us in 2010.
I am clearly not well.
None of us are, you're in good company.
Better link for the ASC, in one address.
https://us.rs-online.com/view/search?keyword=ASC X38 capacitors
InDIYana Event Website
I have used the round ASC caps many times in tube amp power supply CLC filters and they are fantastic caps. I have no doubt that they would work great in passive crossovers other than their physical size.
I can report that deep in a box of miscellaneous wire and parts, I found two Dayton 100uf polys. Just minutes before clicking the order button on some. I had completely forgotten about them. Shunt cap problem solved.
If you've beeen doing this madness for a quarter century, as I have, keep digging. You already have some.
Glad you found them, Maynard! I thought of you as I was driving back from Ottumwa earlier this week and saw the turn for Washington.
Seems like when I build or repair an amp or preamp I have most of the parts. But there's always at least one specific value of cap or resistor that I can't find in the boxes.
I guess I am a bit of a nerd in that I actually know almost what I have lol. Once in awhile I get surprised at something in my totes, though. Usually pleasant except for that time it was a spider. Not that I'm afraid of them, but the last thing you expect to see are one of those hairy ass jumpers coming at you when all you want is a resistor.