AudioCircle

Industry Circles => GR Research => Topic started by: tubav on 29 Nov 2019, 04:26 pm

Title: Bypass Cap Recommendation
Post by: tubav on 29 Nov 2019, 04:26 pm
I'm going to give bypass caps a try to see if I notice a difference. What would be a good value to bypass a 1.5uf tweeter cap? Thanks. tubav
Title: Re: Bypass Cap Recommendation
Post by: Danny Richie on 29 Nov 2019, 05:07 pm
I'm going to give bypass caps a try to see if I notice a difference. What would be a good value to bypass a 1.5uf tweeter cap? Thanks. tubav

That is a pretty small tweeter cap.

I'd go with a value of .1uF or smaller.
Title: Re: Bypass Cap Recommendation
Post by: LarryD56 on 29 Nov 2019, 10:48 pm
What would be a good bypass for a 125uf midrange circuit?
Title: Re: Bypass Cap Recommendation
Post by: Danny Richie on 29 Nov 2019, 10:55 pm
What would be a good bypass for a 125uf midrange circuit?

In most cases like that I would go for a .1uF Gen.2 Sonicap.
Title: Re: Bypass Cap Recommendation
Post by: LarryD56 on 30 Nov 2019, 04:47 pm
Exactly what is (are) the main purpose(s) of the bypass cap? A) Is it to speed up the delivery of the signal. B) To impart the sonic characteristics of the higher quality bypass cap to the driver. C) A combination of the two. D) And/or other things? I never was clear of it's purposes.
Title: Re: Bypass Cap Recommendation
Post by: Captainhemo on 30 Nov 2019, 07:10 pm
I'd say  it's mostly  "a",   ,  they  really help leading/trailing edges  andhelp create space and separation.
There may be  some of "b" going on as well but IMHO,  it's not as much as people may  think. That being  said, different bypass caps of the same values do   seem to sound different...

As Danny  mentioned,  the  Sonicap G2's are a great buy and can really help  the charge/discharge rates of a  large bundle/valued cap.  Give somea  try and if you     like what you  hear   and don't mind spending a  few extra $$'s,  try something  different  and see if you  notice  any differnce.

jay
Title: Re: Bypass Cap Recommendation
Post by: mboxler on 1 Dec 2019, 04:08 pm
.... can really help  the charge/discharge rates of a large bundle/valued cap.

Can you elaborate on this?  As I understand it, the electron flow from one plate of a capacitor to the other is based on three things... capacitance, load, and voltage change.  Since none of these have changed, I would think that the capacitor being "bypassed" would be functioning exactly the same whether it is bypassed or not  :scratch:

Mike
Title: Re: Bypass Cap Recommendation
Post by: Captainhemo on 4 Dec 2019, 07:27 pm
Can you elaborate on this?  As I understand it, the electron flow from one plate of a capacitor to the other is based on three things... capacitance, load, and voltage change.  Since none of these have changed, I would think that the capacitor being "bypassed" would be functioning exactly the same whether it is bypassed or not  :scratch:

Mike

I knew I'd read something about the theory behind   bypass caps but couldn't remember  where... anyway, I finally dug it up and it's here:
https://audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?threads/explain-a-bypass-cap.750294/

I'm  not  an EE, was only stating what  I've  heard and what  I've siscussed with  others.
I'm  assuming by  your post that you  don't believe  that bypas caps make a differente  ?   Have you  tried  them  in  any applications ?   Like I mentioned above,  you  can  pick  up a  pair of  Sonicap G2's for   very little money and it  doesn't take  long  to install them  "around"  a cop in  a high pass filter.   If you  don't notice  any difference, take them out,  if you do,  all the beter..... you  might be surprised


jay
Title: Re: Bypass Cap Recommendation
Post by: BobM on 4 Dec 2019, 09:31 pm
Bypass the tweeter (.1 or .01uF for something that small) but don't bypass the midrange or bass.
Title: Re: Bypass Cap Recommendation
Post by: mlundy57 on 4 Dec 2019, 11:00 pm
Bypass the tweeter (.1 or .01uF for something that small) but don't bypass the midrange or bass.

I started by-passing both tweeter and mid/woofer circuits. Everybody says I don't need it in the mid/woofer circuit but I like the result.

Mike
Title: Re: Bypass Cap Recommendation
Post by: Stimpy on 5 Dec 2019, 02:50 pm
Bypass the tweeter (.1 or .01uF for something that small) but don't bypass the midrange or bass.

I usually add bypass caps to series and parallel crossover capacitors, with out issue.  So, I'm just curious as to why you don't recommend bypass caps on the mid or bass capacitors? 

Thanks.
Title: Re: Bypass Cap Recommendation
Post by: Stimpy on 5 Dec 2019, 02:54 pm
I started by-passing both tweeter and mid/woofer circuits. Everybody says I don't need it in the mid/woofer circuit but I like the result.

Bypass caps, on the ClarityCap ESA's, that I used on my midrange circuit, really helped their upper midrange respond.  Very sucked out/withdrawn otherwise, and lacking in air.  Adding bypass caps helped fill in what was missing.
Title: Re: Bypass Cap Recommendation
Post by: rollo on 5 Dec 2019, 03:33 pm
 Using a Duelund silver bypass cap on a Duelund 35.0uf cap in our outboard crossover was a big improvement in sound. More detail without changing tonality. Sound stage opened as well.

charles
Title: Re: Bypass Cap Recommendation
Post by: ccomplete on 5 Dec 2019, 10:12 pm
I recently started messing with bypass caps as well. I’ve tried countless caps in DACs and phono stages and amps and usually always preferred duelund or jupiter copper foils and haven’t looked back in years.. I was recently messing with an old replacement dac and swapped out the signal caps for sonicaps I had laying around bypassed with .1uF platinums... sounded soooooo much better than stock that I cannibalized some other gear to pull out the jupiter coppers because it should be that much better, right? I was surprised. The sonicap combo was way better than an unbypassed jupiter in the same spot. The jupiter had more depth and texture but the sonicap combo had tremendously better dynamics and overall realism. The dynamics with the single jupiter were dull in comparison. Then I bypassed the jupiter and it was.. eye opening. Ear opening? Made me order a bunch of bypass caps to throw on all my stuff anyway haha
Title: Re: Bypass Cap Recommendation
Post by: corndog71 on 6 Dec 2019, 03:42 am
Bypass caps, on the ClarityCap ESA's, that I used on my midrange circuit, really helped their upper midrange respond.  Very sucked out/withdrawn otherwise, and lacking in air.  Adding bypass caps helped fill in what was missing.

Yep, ESA caps are good for mid and low frequencies but not so much for high frequencies.  Definitely no good for tweeter circuits.  At least not in the signal path.  Same for the newer CSA caps.
Title: Re: Bypass Cap Recommendation
Post by: Captainhemo on 6 Dec 2019, 04:00 am
Yep, ESA caps are good for mid and low frequencies but not so much for high frequencies.  Definitely no good for tweeter circuits.  At least not in the signal path.  Same for the newer CSA caps.

I'm  absolutely loving the new  Coppers  bypassed with Miflex .022's on the high pass of my S7's.   What  an improvement... been  meaning  do a  little  blurb over  in the  S7 thread regarding them.   Now  I'm  gonna have to   spend  more  and  get   a pair for the midrange    .....

jay
Title: Re: Bypass Cap Recommendation
Post by: Stimpy on 6 Dec 2019, 12:37 pm
Yep, ESA caps are good for mid and low frequencies but not so much for high frequencies.  Definitely no good for tweeter circuits.  At least not in the signal path.  Same for the newer CSA caps.

You are absolutely correct about the ClarityCaps.  Nice, but very colored, in some respects.  And that upper end roll-off, drove me crazy.  I was hoping it would improve with burn in, which it did to some degree.  But, I had to add bypass caps, to open them up a bit more, and the sound was still slightly muted in the highs.  While I like their sound, the Clarity's still aren't quite to my liking.  I might try a mix of ClarityCaps and Mundorf's, to see if I can get a better blend.
 
Title: Re: Bypass Cap Recommendation
Post by: maty on 6 Dec 2019, 02:16 pm
I'm  absolutely loving the new  Coppers  bypassed with Miflex .022's on the high pass of my S7's.   What  an improvement...

The true audiophile does not settle for just bypass. If you are also a Texan, you want it all BIG  :P

https://www.stereo.net.au/forums/topic/246935-amateur-ob-speaker-builder-and-his-arc-based-digital-system/?do=findComment&comment=3993216

(http://maty.galeon.com/WP-imagenes/hum/Miflex-kpcu-01-8_2uF-size.jpg) (http://maty.galeon.com/WP-imagenes/hum/Miflex-kpcu-01-8_2uF-size.jpg)

Quote
They each weigh 1.75kg and are as big as two coke cans...

Miflex KPCU-01 8.2uF +/- 5%  600Vdc
Title: Re: Bypass Cap Recommendation
Post by: Stimpy on 6 Dec 2019, 03:05 pm
The true audiophile does not settle for just bypass. If you are also a Texan, you want it all BIG  :P

https://www.stereo.net.au/forums/topic/246935-amateur-ob-speaker-builder-and-his-arc-based-digital-system/?do=findComment&comment=3993216

 (http://maty.galeon.com/WP-imagenes/hum/Miflex-kpcu-01-8_2uF-size.jpg)


Miflex KPCU-01 8.2uF +/- 5%  600Vdc

I'd have to add additional stuffing to my cabinets, to compensate for loss of volume, in order to use those...!  :o

So, I'll leave everything as-is.

(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=201686)
Title: Re: Bypass Cap Recommendation
Post by: maty on 6 Dec 2019, 03:14 pm
We must also take a look at the dimensions and weight even for few microfarads.

Better idea is to use only those of smaller value as bypass, forgetting those of greater value, size, weight and money!

I would change the resistors first, but until next week I will not verify if the Mills resistors change the sound of my little coaxials, for better or worse and how much.

BTW, complex crossover. What loudspeakers are they?
Title: Re: Bypass Cap Recommendation
Post by: mlundy57 on 6 Dec 2019, 03:48 pm
With the Miflex caps, even the small values used for by-pass caps are huge in comparison to others. It’s the 600Vdc rating. IIRC, Sonicaps and Sonicap Platinums are 100Vdc. That extra capacity really bulks them up.
Title: Re: Bypass Cap Recommendation
Post by: Stimpy on 6 Dec 2019, 04:05 pm
BTW, complex crossover. What loudspeakers are they?

My Acoustic Research AR-90's.  Four series caps and 4 parallel shunts.  I used a mix of Mundorf's, with EVO Oils for the main series values.  I added Mundorf Supremes or Supreme Silver/Oils, where I needed to build up values.  Some Auricaps in there too.  Parallel caps are Axon True Caps, with film and foil bypass caps.
Title: Re: Bypass Cap Recommendation
Post by: maty on 6 Dec 2019, 04:07 pm
With the Miflex caps, even the small values used for by-pass caps are huge in comparison to others. It’s the 600Vdc rating. IIRC, Sonicaps and Sonicap Platinums are 100Vdc. That extra capacity really bulks them up.

[IMG, link] http://maty.galeon.com/WP-imagenes/kef-q100/KEF-Q100-crossover-MiFlex-bypass-2.jpg

[IMG, link] http://maty.galeon.com/WP-imagenes/kef-q100/KEF-Q100-crossover-MiFlex-bypass.jpg
Title: Re: Bypass Cap Recommendation
Post by: maty on 6 Dec 2019, 04:15 pm
You are here too:

http://www.classicspeakerpages.net/IP.Board/index.php?/topic/9293-ar-9-ar-90-crossover-re-capping-adventure/

Older thread with big pictures.

http://www.classicspeakerpages.net/IP.Board/index.php?/topic/4174-what-type-of-capacitors-should-i-put-in-my-ar-90s/&do=findComment&comment=72371

[IMG, link] http://www.classicspeakerpages.net/IP.Board/uploads/monthly_01_2008/post-101175-1200489092.jpg

Clean walls... No Rez or similar inside?
Title: Re: Bypass Cap Recommendation
Post by: Stimpy on 6 Dec 2019, 04:27 pm
You are here too:

http://www.classicspeakerpages.net/IP.Board/index.php?/topic/9293-ar-9-ar-90-crossover-re-capping-adventure/

Older thread with big pictures.

http://www.classicspeakerpages.net/IP.Board/index.php?/topic/4174-what-type-of-capacitors-should-i-put-in-my-ar-90s/&do=findComment&comment=72371

[IMG, link] http://www.classicspeakerpages.net/IP.Board/uploads/monthly_01_2008/post-101175-1200489092.jpg

Clean walls... No Rez or similar inside?

Yup, I get around...!   :D

I started my AR-90 refurb, some time back.  But, some health issues slowed me down.  Then, when I went to continue my refinish of the 90's, I found a pair of AR58S speakers, and after a recap, I've been enjoying them instead.  Though, this reminds me, that I really need to get back to the 90's.   :bawl:
Title: Re: Bypass Cap Recommendation
Post by: maty on 6 Dec 2019, 04:39 pm
The walls seem... aglomerate. Old speakers  :D

Before changing more components, such as resistors, it would be better to add a sandwich with viscoelastic material like No Rez, I think.

https://audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?threads/acoustic-research-ar90-recap-basic-xover-questions.711857/

[Crossover, IMG link] http://www.classicspeakerpages.net/IP.Board/uploads/monthly_01_2008/post-101175-1200137398.gif
Title: Re: Bypass Cap Recommendation
Post by: Stimpy on 6 Dec 2019, 05:45 pm
The walls seem... aglomerate. Old speakers  :D

Before changing more components, such as resistors, it would be better to add a sandwich with viscoelastic material like No Rez, I think.


AR90's

(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=201694)

Yes, I've already added extra bracing, and damping to the cabinet walls.  Also, added Dynamat to all the woofer baskets.  Mills resistors in place too.
Title: Re: Bypass Cap Recommendation
Post by: maty on 6 Dec 2019, 05:57 pm
Now that nobody reads us, did you notice improvement by adding cushioning to the furniture? And with Mills resistors? You probably did it all at once.

Dynamat is very expensive!

Now, in you loudspeakers this vinyl rip would sound great. In glorious mono, LIVE.

Thelonious Monk Quartet - Mønk (2018), Vinyl, mono, Gearbox Records, US

https://www.discogs.com/Thelonious-Monk-M%C3%B8nk/release/12576350
https://www.diyaudio.com/forums/music/6958-playing-listening-post5999443.html

- End off topic -
Title: Re: Bypass Cap Recommendation
Post by: Stimpy on 6 Dec 2019, 06:35 pm
Now that nobody reads us, did you notice improvement by adding cushioning to the furniture? And with Mills resistors? You probably did it all at once.

Dynamat is very expensive!

Now, in you loudspeakers this vinyl rip would sound great. In glorious mono, LIVE.

Thelonious Monk Quartet - Mønk (2018), Vinyl, mono, Gearbox Records, US

https://www.discogs.com/Thelonious-Monk-M%C3%B8nk/release/12576350
https://www.diyaudio.com/forums/music/6958-playing-listening-post5999443.html

- End off topic -

I haven't been able to do any serious before and after comparisons, due to the length of the restore.  But, I did do a recap A/B comparison, between a stock speaker, and the recapped high range drivers, of the other.  The post recap improvements were very pronounced.  Much cleaner and clearer.  No haze over the sound.  No opaqueness.  Very palpable.  Less noise too, as the old caps were sounding very distorted.

And thanks for the link.  Acoustic music always does well on a pair of AR's.  That'll make for a fun listening session.
Title: Re: Bypass Cap Recommendation
Post by: corndog71 on 7 Dec 2019, 02:38 am
You are absolutely correct about the ClarityCaps.  Nice, but very colored, in some respects.  And that upper end roll-off, drove me crazy.  I was hoping it would improve with burn in, which it did to some degree.  But, I had to add bypass caps, to open them up a bit more, and the sound was still slightly muted in the highs.  While I like their sound, the Clarity's still aren't quite to my liking.  I might try a mix of ClarityCaps and Mundorf's, to see if I can get a better blend.

Clarity CMR are pricy but much better than the CSA/ESA series.  Otherwise I would recommend Sonicap gen 1 with copper or Teflon bypass. 
Title: Re: Bypass Cap Recommendation
Post by: Argoncat on 19 Aug 2020, 08:31 pm
I started by-passing both tweeter and mid/woofer circuits. Everybody says I don't need it in the mid/woofer circuit but I like the result.

Mike

Are you still using bypass caps on both tweeter and mid/woofer circuits?  How does a bypass cap work on second order capacitor shunts in a low pass filters used for the mid/woofer; I thought bypass caps were used to reduce inductance at high frequencies..  TIA.
Title: Re: Bypass Cap Recommendation
Post by: VinceT on 20 Aug 2020, 01:46 am
I'm a total noob to DIY, this thread has been enlightening and a great read:thumb:


Title: Re: Bypass Cap Recommendation
Post by: dan2023 on 20 Aug 2020, 03:55 pm
I just got a pair of Koss M80 MTM speakers which I am thinking about recapping.  Since current caps are considered better than 40 years ago when these speakers were made, should I add a bypass cap?  And should I do both the tweeter and midrange?
Title: Re: Bypass Cap Recommendation
Post by: corndog71 on 20 Aug 2020, 06:12 pm
I just got a pair of Koss M80 MTM speakers which I am thinking about recapping.  Since current caps are considered better than 40 years ago when these speakers were made, should I add a bypass cap?  And should I do both the tweeter and midrange?

Maybe just take it one step at a time.  Start with tweeter caps.  Listen to the change and go from there. Bypass caps are not absolutely necessary.  Consider them seasoning.
Title: Re: Bypass Cap Recommendation
Post by: dan2023 on 20 Aug 2020, 06:16 pm
Thank you, I will go one step at a time.
Title: Re: Bypass Cap Recommendation
Post by: lokie on 20 Aug 2020, 07:55 pm
Sorry to jump in here but...

What Bypass value do you all recommend for a 4 uF tweeter cap?
Title: Re: Bypass Cap Recommendation
Post by: mikeeastman on 20 Aug 2020, 08:29 pm
I have by pass caps on both tweeter and mids.I  started with Sonicap platinum but switched to Milflex copper a nice upgrade.

lokie Danny usually uses .1uf for by pass caps.
Title: Re: Bypass Cap Recommendation
Post by: Argoncat on 20 Aug 2020, 08:29 pm
The general recommendation is the bypass cap should be of higher quality and no more than ~1% of the target cap uF rating..