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Hi colhogan,
Regarding Capacitors used By Bryston in Our products.
Nothing Bryston uses has a 'short' lifespan. All electrolytic capacitors have a finite lifespan/shelf-life defined by their construction techniques, (quality of electrolyte, method of sealing, types of internal connections, methods of drawing off internal heat, etc.), and by the temperature they are subjected to. Bryston, because of our 20-year warranty, uses only the best and longest-life construction available.
Bryston's special electrolytic caps typically have a lifespan specified at 3000 hours minimum at 105 degrees C, at full specified Voltage and current. Electrolytic caps' lifetimes double with each reduction of 10 degrees C below their maximum operating temperature. Thus, when a cap is specified at 105 degrees C, and it operates at a typical temperature of 45 degrees C, (105 - 45 = 60), the lifetime is increased by 2 to the 6th power, or 64 times. Thus, the minimum expected lifetime under normal operating temperature, powered-up, calculates to 3000 X 64 = 192,000 hours, or 22 years, assuming the caps were run at full Voltage and temperature all the time.
Bryston always leaves a substantial margin on both Voltage and current in our power-supply components to further increase expected lifetime. As a result, the life of the electrolytic capacitors in Bryston products can be expected to equate to shelf-life, (25+ years), under conditions of either full-time power-up or intermittent operation. It makes essentially no difference if they are power-up only for listening, or run 24 hours a day for many years.
Another advantage of using only the very best component quality for long lifetime is that these components also operate more efficiently, with lower internal resistance, faster current-delivery, less distortion, and ultimately, much better sound quality.
I hope this is helpful.
james
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