[mosawdust]

Reading through the posts here regarding the differences between caps got me wondering if a cap upgrade on a pair of older ST/R would be a worth while upgrade? I was considering the Auricaps. Not sure if this is something Brian can do, being the age of these, and I haven't spoke with him about it yet either. It looks like I could, if necessary, get the caps from Sonic Craft but I'm concerned about the tolerences. I know he hand trims all capacitors.

Brian

[cujobob]

Depending on the quality of standard caps, it could be a solid upgrade to go with something like Sonicaps, Jantzens, or something of that sort...IIRC they were cheaper than Auricaps and similar quality.

[JimJ]

Reading through the posts here regarding the differences between caps got me wondering if a cap upgrade on a pair of older ST/R would be a worth while upgrade? I was considering the Auricaps. Not sure if this is something Brian can do, being the age of these, and I haven't spoke with him about it yet either. It looks like I could, if necessary, get the caps from Sonic Craft but I'm concerned about the tolerences. I know he hand trims all capacitors.

Brian

Parts Express, Madisound and Zalytron are all good places to get Xover caps

[Russtafarian]

Go for it!  Upgrading the caps will give you a big improvement for a small investment of time and money.  You will hear the difference. 

Brian "trims" the capacitors by bundling multiple caps of various values to get the particular value he wants.  And the particular cap value is dependent on the value of the specific coil the cap(s) is/are connected to.

You can remove the present cap or cap bundle and measure with a VOM that has a capacitance setting.  Then order replacement caps to replicate the value.  You can ask Soniccraft (for Soniccaps) or Parts Express (for Jantzen) if they will match or bundle caps to get the value(s) you need.

Brian also adds small value bypass caps so they should be measured and replaced as well.  Be sure the new caps are mated to same coil the original caps were connected to since their values are interdependent to hit the right crossover frequency and slope.

Even better is to rip the crossover out and biamp/triamp.  But that's a discussion for another thread.  Good luck.

Russ

[mosawdust]

Thanks for the replys and input guys. I'm not sold on the Auricaps or purchasing from Sonic Craft. I remember reading in one particular post here that Sonic Craft will match to a given tolerence.

I'm fortunate that all the caps have the value written on them. I don't recogonize the brand name on the caps (Bennic) so I'm not sure of the quality. Not putting down Brian for cheap caps, but it was an inexpensive speaker.

I have been very pleased with these and just want to improve on them.

I was looking at the replacing the sandstone resistor as well, with a mills.


Could someone please explain what a bypass cap does?

[Russtafarian]

Others can explain the use of bypass caps better than I. 

I believe Brian uses smaller caps paralleled to bigger caps to stagger the filter poles which helps to sum the drivers properly.  If I'm wrong on that, I'm sure someone will be more than happy to set me straight.

BTW, the Jantzen Z-Superior cap is really good!  A little more money than Auricap, but plays in the same league as the TRTs, Teflons, Mundorfs, etc.

[mosawdust]

Others can explain the use of bypass caps better than I. 

I believe Brian uses smaller caps paralleled to bigger caps to stagger the filter poles which helps to sum the drivers properly.  If I'm wrong on that, I'm sure someone will be more than happy to set me straight.

Thanks for the explenation. I've read this before but didn't really understand. To be honest, still not sure I still do. I guess thats why Big B does this and I don't. 

I'm going to check out the Jantzen caps.

Thanks,
Brian