[tortoiseman2542]

Sorry all if this is a dumb question....

I see on some of the networks that "Polycaps" are required.  For instance a 33uF polycap.  These are obviously different than the Sonicaps but I'm not sure what ones to get for a full network.  Any upgrade options here?  Think X-Statik/X-Voce as an example.  I am using sonicaps, path audio resistors, copper foil inductors... but I have no idea what a better poly cap is and that will mix well. 

Ideas?

Robert

[Tyson]

It’s probably an Erse.  They are not bad but replacing it with Sonicaps would be an upgrade.

[mlundy57]

Since it looks like you are already using Sonicaps, the upgrade would be to add Miflex KPCU by-pass caps to at least the Sonicaps in the tweeter circuit. Better yet, add the by-pass caps to the woofer circuit also.

[corndog71]

“Polycap” is kind of a general description.  It can be used to for polypropylene, polystyrene, and polyester caps.  Perhaps a better term would be “film” cap as those tend to be better sounding than the others..  33uf is a bigger cap.  Higher quality caps get expensive at that price.  Erse would’ve been my go to but they’re not an option now.  Solen is an affordable option.

[tortoiseman2542]

“Polycap” is kind of a general description.  It can be used to for polypropylene, polystyrene, and polyester caps.  Perhaps a better term would be “film” cap as those tend to be better sounding than the others..  33uf is a bigger cap.  Higher quality caps get expensive at that price.  Erse would’ve been my go to but they’re not an option now.  Solen is an affordable option.

Why are they not an option?  I know there’s a material shortage but did they close entirely?

Robert

[Hobbsmeerkat]

Why are they not an option?  I know there’s a material shortage but did they close entirely?

Robert

Yes, they are closed for good.
The owner passed away last summer with no one able/willing to take over the business after him, so they officially closed up shop a couple months ago.

It's a bit more complicated than just that, but it's a long story, and I cant really go into the details.

[tortoiseman2542]

Yes, they are closed for good.
The owner passed away last summer with no one able/willing to take over the business after him, so they officially closed up shop a couple months ago.

It's a bit more complicated than just that, but it's a long story, and I cant really go into the details.

That’s very unfortunate to hear and sad. So what comparable alternatives are there for poly caps and iron core inductors?  I will need to find alternatives to both for the X-statiks/Voce and the LS-6’s/LS-C I have in the works.

Robert

[Hobbsmeerkat]

The loss of Erse has really hit the audio industry hard, especially their inductor side.

As for iron core inductors we haven't found anyone yet (which is why we cant get any). Most manufacturers use chinese recycled copper which is inconsistent in quality at best.

We're currently relying on Solen for nearly all of our caps, resistors and air core inductors. Which is less than ideal.. with Dayton Audio (Parts-Express) as a backup when Solen is out of a particular polycap we need.

Audyn supposedly also makes some pretty good caps for the money, on par with standard Erse and Solen caps.

[tortoiseman2542]

I remembered something in the middle of the night that I wanted to ask.  I sent my X-Statik's to Skiing Ninja many years ago where he developed the QXX upgrade.  He reused the stock i Core inductor back then as he had me send the networks to him. 

Is this a viable option since it's nearly impossible to find them now? 

Also, is a "Steel core" inductor the same as iron core?

Thanks,
Robert

[Hobbsmeerkat]

The quality should be pretty similar to the Erse SuperQ, though not as pretty.
If you wanted to get something nicer quality, I would look at at 14 gauge laminated I-core inductor, if you can find one.
Or even an monsterous air-core.

Im not sure if there's a huge difference if any.
The main difference between most iron/steel core inductors is usually down to the use of laminations or solid slugs. Laminated inductors tend to store less energy than the slugs types.

[Shives]

Question.
 
Bypassing stock poly caps with a higher end bypass should take on the sound of said bypass, no?

Where bypassing a larger cap with a better smaller cap,  the larger becomes more storage, and sound characteristics come from bypass, smaller and faster. 

I’m told a better cap from the start, you would not need to bypass. But to bypass a high end cap, with another high end… cost is through roof and sound may not be all that worth cost. 

I was told that bypassing higher end caps is not something needed. I get nothing is really needed short of basic parts.. and better sound comes from better parts… more parts you add, the worse things could become. No?

Thoughts
Just curious.

 

[Hobbsmeerkat]

I dont disagree that using a high end cap shouldn't need a bypass.
But I know that some high end caps, like Jupiter copper caps, tend to sound "dark" or "veiled," and bypassing it with a silver bypass cap helps to brighten the overall tone a bit, as well as increasing clarity.
It doesn't completely change the sound of the main cap but it definitely influences the tone.

Some high-end Foil+paper/oil/wax caps caps also tend to discharge more slowly than a good film/foil or metalized poly caps of the same value, So bypassing them with a 0.1uF cap from the same brand/line will maintain their sound, while also increasing their clarity.
That's what I did that with my NX-Studio crossovers, bypassing the massive Miflex copper cap with a much smaller 0.1uF Miflex copper caps and adding another copper bypass to the bass circuit.

You dont need to go crazy expensive on the bypass caps, especially since the value should generally remain 0.1uF or smaller.

With cap values over 50uF you can use a cap that is 1/100th the value of the main cap. (Ex: 100uF cap with 1uF -or smaller- bypass)

I recently had someone ask if they could go all copper caps on the midrange on a speaker, same as they wanted with their tweeter circuit. But that would have cost well over $10,000 in caps that would need to be bundled in parallel.

We suggested that a better alternative would just be using copper bypass caps instead.

[Speaker Challenged]

Yes, they are closed for good.
The owner passed away last summer with no one able/willing to take over the business after him, so they officially closed up shop a couple months ago.

It's a bit more complicated than just that, but it's a long story, and I cant really go into the details.

Really sad to hear of the owners passing. Sad to hear that a succession plan was not possible before that.

Sounds like the sort of business Danny could buy into and run as his standards are high and as the brand is already a major brand/player in Audio. Investment opportunity?

Just my 2c.

SC

[Hobbsmeerkat]

Really sad to hear of the owners passing. Sad to hear that a succession plan was not possible before that.

Sounds like the sort of business Danny could buy into and run as his standards are high and as the brand is already a major brand/player in Audio. Investment opportunity?

Just my 2c.

SC

Danny certainly tried to buy the company, especially once it seemed inevitable that the company was just going to wither away.
However, late owner's wife has refused to have any sort of negotiations or contact with Danny.

[Speaker Challenged]

Danny certainly tried to buy the company, especially once it seemed inevitable that the company was just going to wither away.
However, late owner's wife has refused to have any sort of negotiations or contact with Danny.

That is a shame. Time might help her to see it could work.

SC