[S Clark]

When our high school students build speakers, we usually use electrolytic or donated poly caps.  If they want to buy their own, what are the best of the "cheap" upgrades?  I'm looking for stuff like Madisound closeouts etc. Remember, these are high school kids, not bankers.

[richidoo]

Dayton MPT film caps sound excellent in the Belles tube preamps. 250V are good for speakers.

Jantzen Superior Caps are also excellent, maybe their lower priced Cross Caps versions are equally good value.

American made Erse caps are supposed to be very high value. Available from AC members GR Research and DIY Cable.

[earplay]

Obligato aluminum caps from diyhifisupply.com are relatively inexpensive. Very good sound/cost ratio. See humblehomemadehifi for comments.

[S Clark]

Nope, kids aren't going to shell out more than $5 for a cap.  I need to find stuff like...
http://www.madisound.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=404_5_12&products_id=1463

Polypropylene for $.60   Something that improves over a 35cent electrolytic without affecting the cost.  The daytons are a good suggestion, however.

[jimbop]

I'd suggest looking for a surplus outlet such as:

http://www.electronicsurplus.com/

[Niteshade]

I suggest shopping at Mouser Electronics.  They have what you need and their prices are great.

www.mouser.com

[earplay]

If over $5 is too much, partsconnexion.com has a bargain basement.

[S Clark]

If over $5 is too much, partsconnexion.com has a bargain basement.

Now we are in the right neighborhood, a couple of bucks or less.  Has anyone used any of these cheap caps?

[mackortoyota]

NewSensor has some good caps for under 5 bucks. Mallorys, Sprauge atoms, and orange drops. If any students are willing to pay 25-30 they have auricaps too. http://www.newsensor.com/ProductListing.aspx?CatId=56

[Scott F.]

Scott,

You might consider the Illinois Capacitor line. They have a 10uf/370v metalized poly for $5.04 each. Not too bad of sounding cap for not much money. That and don't discount the oil filled MKP run start caps either. Oilers aren't just for tube amps 

Allied Electronics

[mackortoyota]

New Sensor has them too.

[TomS]

Lots of polypropylene caps from Surplus Sales that shouldn't be too bad and a nice price.  Part of the learning would be paralleling and series of 1 or 2uf caps to tune to taste.

http://www.surplussales.com/Capacitors/Polypropylene/Axial-Polypropylene.html

Tom

[rlee8394]

Try these:

http://www.zalytron.com/caps.html

I used them to rebuild my B&W 801FS speakers. They work fine.

Ron