Download coupling-caps.pdf

Untitled Document
From:
Date:
Subject:
JWK
Page 1 of 3
([email protected])
2/19/2002 3:12 AM
Coupling and tone caps - Xicon, Vishay, Sprague
I've completed my parts list for the amp I'm building and the order will go in tomorrow. With some
compromises, I've managed to get everything from two places. I can get polypropylene "orange
drop" types in Vishay, Xicon or Sprague. I don't mind spending the extra on Sprague if there's a
real reason. I have no clue here at all. Any advice appreciated. Thanks.
John
From:
Date:
Subject:
Shea
([email protected])
2/19/2002 5:45 PM
Re: Coupling and tone caps - Xicon, Vishay, Sprague
I was about to say that Sprague and Vishay are the same thing. Then, I opened up my latest
Mouser catalog and saw that the orange drops that were formerly called Vishay-Sprague are now
just Vishay, and there is a "Sprague Goodman" making trimmer capacitors. I also note that the
Vishay orange drops are still called 715P, so hopefully they're still the same.
Between different brands, I honestly can't hear the difference between film caps except that
Fender amps always sound better when you replace the ugly brown ones with anything else. Last
time I built something, I used these tiny brown ones which, IIRC, were Cornell-Dubilier polyester
film caps. They sound fine to me. I still like paper in oil the best - I CAN hear a difference with
them.
But, going by what I've read, polypropylene is the best dielectric, film and foil is better than
metallized film, and Spragues and Mallory 150s have good reps.
Shea
From:
Date:
Subject:
Carl S.
([email protected])
2/19/2002 6:52 PM
Re: Coupling and tone caps - Xicon, Vishay, Sprague
Another thing to factor in is amount of room available for components. The Orange Drops are most
often larger than their Xicon/etc. counterparts.
Conventional wisdom favors the Orange Drop/mallory 150 stuff for coupling caps and the
Xicon/etc. poly's for tone circuits, etc.
Best is to experiment...I am leaning this as well.
From:
Date:
Subject:
Jason A.
([email protected])
2/19/2002 10:21 PM
Re: Coupling and tone caps - Xicon, Vishay, Sprague
http://www.firebottle.com/fireforum/fireBB.cgi?forum=ga&thread=169245
... 2/20/2002
Untitled Document
Page 2 of 3
Carl,
Interesting tidbit regarding cap placement: a few of the extreme high end boutique amps like to
use 715/6P series caps in the tone stack and Mallory 150 series everywhere else. Personally, I like
to use 150's and/or good film and foil designs [such as Randall Aiken's -- gee, wish I knew where
to get more of these-- caps or 715's, etc.] throughout except in the PI to Power Tubes coupling
positions. Here, Angela Instruments Film/Tin Foil caps work well or Jensen Paper In Oil caps. The
reason I can actually hear a difference here [the most noticable placement to my ears] is because
of the PI clipping. I think these sound good here. However, there is very little difference in tone
throughout most of the spectrum when using PIO designs, designer high end caps, or standard
Metallized Polyester/Polypropylene or Poly film/foil designs in this position. It is not super noticable,
just noticable, IMO. In all but cathode follower coupling/tone caps, there is a very small marked
difference in cap types. FWIW, I personally like Mallory 150's or Randall's caps as tone stack caps
when driven from a cathode follower. So far, these have impressed me the most in the tone stack
driven by the CF. When driven by a plate [ala BF Fender], anything works well, as long as the
values are right. Mallory's, 715/6's, PIO, Tin Foil, etc.
Jason
From:
Date:
Subject:
Ted
([email protected])
2/19/2002 11:02 PM
Re: Coupling and tone caps - Xicon, Vishay, Sprague
I'm thinking of trying the Xicon caps too, because of their small size. Anyone have any problems
with reliability? How about Xicon high voltage electrolytics in the power supply?
Ted
From:
Date:
Subject:
Shea
([email protected])
2/20/2002 4:32 PM
Re: Coupling and tone caps - Xicon, Vishay, Sprague
I've used some little Sanwha, Xicon, and perhaps Nichicon filters. No problems so far, but it's too
early for me to say how reliable they are. When you're making your own board layout, you can fit
them on the board right above each V of plate-load resistors. Helps reduce or eliminate any need
for LCR or can caps.
Shea
From:
Date:
Subject:
Gil Ayan
([email protected])
2/20/2002 9:41 PM
Xicons
On 2/19/2002 11:02 PM, Ted said:
I'm thinking of trying the Xicon caps too, because of their small size. Anyone have any
problems with reliability? How about Xicon high voltage electrolytics in the power
supply?
Ted
http://www.firebottle.com/fireforum/fireBB.cgi?forum=ga&thread=169245
... 2/20/2002
Untitled Document
Page 3 of 3
I have used everything in my own amps: Spragues in one amp, and a combination of Illinois Caps
and Xicons in three others - in the power supply. Then, as far as coupling caps, orange drops in
one amp, Xicon MPPs in two others, and NTE Mylar (polyester) in another amp.
In terms of reliability, they've all worked equally well, i.e., I have had no problems. I gig with the
amps, they have a B+ of about 480 VDC, etc., and the oldest amp will be 3 years old and the
newest one, so if something had to go if would have gone by now.
Tonewise, my favorite ones are the Xicon MPPs as far as coupling. The orange drops seem to be a
little more boomy sounding, and the NTE brighter -- all four amps were build virtually identical to
each other. It isn't a huge difference, but I can tell.
Considering price, size, and my personaly experience with Xicons, I would recommend them to
anyone.
Gil
From:
Date:
Subject:
M Cook
([email protected])
2/20/2002 8:08 PM
Re: Coupling and tone caps - Xicon, Vishay, Sprague
Probably an obvious question but I'm having trouble locating Mallory 150's.
Where does everyone else get their's?
Michael :)
http://www.firebottle.com/fireforum/fireBB.cgi?forum=ga&thread=169245
... 2/20/2002