[Lost81]

Hi all,

Just dropping a quick note here.

I replaced the main power supply capacitors in my wonderful Bolder-modified Mensa DIO with Rubycon ZL capacitors, which have significantly lower ESR and impedence than the already excellent Panasonic FC capacitors.

The new capacitors haven't broken in yet (3 hours so far), but the immediate impression is a larger soundstage, better highs, and the vocals are smoother (less grain). Mid-bass bloom is also noticeably stronger.

Here are the details:

[C3, C4, C5]
 - replace with Rubycon ZL 3300uF 16V $4.50 each

Although these capacitors possess the same diameter as the original capacitors (12.5mm), they are significantly taller (35mm) than the stock or Panasonic FC capacitors.
You will NOT be able to close the top cover of the DIO over them if you are using the stock chassis.

[C6, C7, C8, C9]
 - replace with Rubycon ZL 1000uF 25V $3.00 each
These capacitors are 12.5mm components, as opposed to the Panasonic 10mm diameter capacitors.
As such, two of them will have to be soldered parallel to the PCB:
specifically, the one closest to the digital board (C7), and the one closet to the rectifier diodes (C9).

Sorry, no pictures available.
I returned the digital camera to the store.

Hope this helps.

Have a merry christmas



-Lost81

[Occam]

...I replaced the main power supply capacitors in my wonderful Bolder-modified Mensa DIO with Rubycon ZL capacitors, which have significantly lower ESR and impedence than the already excellent Panasonic FC capacitors....

Congrats. but tis a slippery slope to chase the elusive impedance dragon. Cause now we've got to try the Panasonic FM caps -
http://www.digikey.com/scripts/DkSearch/dksus.dll?Detail?Ref=13661&Row=357208&Site=US
http://www.digikey.com/scripts/DkSearch/dksus.dll?Detail?Ref=13661&Row=357244&Site=US

or the Nichcon HE (which spec a bit worse than the ZLs but a freind who measured found the HEs measured better...)
http://www.digikey.com/scripts/DkSearch/dksus.dll?Criteria?Ref=15407&Site=US&Cat=30540473

or Rubycons own ZAs , though they're substantially larger.

I do have some ZLs in my own gear, and used in the right mix (what that mix is, I'm never sure) they certainly do it for me.....

You didn't mention where you sourced the ZLs from, but given the prices, I assume you got them from -
http://www.referenceaudiomods.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=RAM&Category_Code=RUBY

They're expensive because Rubycon has no interest is small quantity distribution, so a stockist must order a minimum of 500-2,000 of each desired value from Future or Arrow, and wait 9-12 weeks for delivery from Japan. Nichicon and Panasonic market their components quite differently.

[Lost81]

...now we've got to try the Panasonic FM caps -

Thanks for the valuable information, Paul  

From the looks of the sleeve on the PDF data sheet, they look like the capacitors offered by diyclub.biz in Hong Kong :

http://eshop.diyclub.biz/product_info.php?cPath=154_80&products_id=184

I could be wrong, however.
Since the blurb clearly markets them as Panasonic Pureism and/or X-Pro.



-Lost81

[Occam]

Lost,

I've no clue as to what those 'audio specific' Panasonic caps from DIYCLUB are.

The problem I have is that when I do a component swap, its rare that I'm able to do it in a vaugely 'scientific' way. When I modded my DIO, I made the changes and relied upon my aural memory (such as it it) to evaluate the changes it wrought. Ideally, one would have 2 of these components (only practicall for me with low cost components like the DIO), and make a change from the current baseline configuation and be able to judge against an exact duplicate, save for that specific change, and not rely upon memory. Alas, preaching is easier than doing....

and a MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!!!!

[Lost81]

Hi Occam,

Yes, I would imagine that will be the way to go.

Working on the analog section of the ART DIO (I haven't worked up the nerve to mess with the digital board yet, given the poor track record of individuals destroying them on the DIO forum) really makes me appreciate Hugh's PCB design/layout all the more



-Lost81