Caps Vs Cabling

werd · « **Reply #20 on:** 28 Jul 2010, 06:05 pm »

Quote from: Danny on 28 Jul 2010, 05:58 pm

You can always tell me everything about your system and I can make recommendations.

I can also send you various cables to try (free demo) just to see what works for you in your system.

Hi Danny

I appreciate that,but i am more interested in your Xover upgrades than cabling for my Kef 104/2. I am very happy with my cabling at this point. I guess i need to update my systems profile with photos as a reference to my system for any questions.

cujobob · « **Reply #21 on:** 28 Jul 2010, 06:08 pm »

I, personally, don't believe cables make much of a difference unless you're spending some decent coin. Caps, on the other hand, can be upgraded to extremely high quality for far less. The better Jantzen caps are supposed to be quite good from what I read when I was in the market for caps to use in my Gedlee Abbeys. The cheapest line of theirs is supposed to be only so-so, but the price is way down there. Sonicaps have been cheap enough and all of the speakers I've heard them in were really uncolored so I have to assume what Danny is saying is true.

With all of this said, the best speakers I've heard in my home used Solen caps in the crossover. That doesn't mean they couldn't be taken to another level with better capacitors, but don't spend too much on tweaks...invest in new speakers at some point. Hell, there are some great speakers that cost a few hundred dollars, so keeping around vintage speakers, performance-wise, often makes no sense.

Danny Richie · « **Reply #22 on:** 28 Jul 2010, 07:16 pm »

If you have a brightness issue then find the source of it and then fix it.

Often I see people simply changing the amplitude (output level) on their tweeter to compensate for bright or harsh electronics.

Caps can be used to soften the highs of your speakers. Oil impregnated caps are often used for that, but you also give up resolution as well.

jtwrace · « **Reply #23 on:** 28 Jul 2010, 07:21 pm »

Quote from: Danny on 28 Jul 2010, 07:16 pm

If you have a brightness issue then find the source of it and then fix it.

As discussed that's why I like my Class A amps.

eclein · « **Reply #24 on:** 28 Jul 2010, 07:25 pm »

Where is the best place to get caps?? PE? Caps 'R' Us??

werd · « **Reply #25 on:** 28 Jul 2010, 07:27 pm »

Quote from: eclein on 28 Jul 2010, 07:25 pm

Where is the best place to get caps?? PE? Caps 'R' Us??

hi Ed

Probably right here http://www.gr-research.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWCATS&Category=3

eclein · « **Reply #26 on:** 28 Jul 2010, 07:29 pm »

Got it...

chlorofille · « **Reply #27 on:** 28 Jul 2010, 07:30 pm »

Quote from: jtwrace on 28 Jul 2010, 07:21 pm

As discussed that's why I like my Class A amps.

Great to hear you love Class A too! Class A class A all the way

eclein · « **Reply #28 on:** 28 Jul 2010, 07:59 pm »

OK..so what do the numbers mean?? A cap is 1.0uF or whatever..is that the voltage thats allowed through? Created? I need CAPS for Dummies or Crossovers for Dummies..anybody got a link to a site that explains it all without giving me a headache?? LOL..

pumpkinman · « **Reply #29 on:** 28 Jul 2010, 08:14 pm »

Quote from: eclein on 28 Jul 2010, 07:59 pm

OK..so what do the numbers mean?? A cap is 1.0uF or whatever..is that the voltage thats allowed through? Created? I need CAPS for Dummies or Crossovers for Dummies..anybody got a link to a site that explains it all without giving me a headache?? LOL..

Ed uF is microfarads
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Farad

Russtafarian · « **Reply #30 on:** 28 Jul 2010, 09:56 pm »

I really like the Jantzen Z-Superior for coupling caps in electronics. In that application they get really close to teflon-like performance for a lot less money.

Anyone tried them in speaker cossovers? They're a little more expensive than Soniccap I & II but may be a nice step up in performance.

Rclark · « **Reply #31 on:** 28 Jul 2010, 10:25 pm »

Due to some misconceptions I had about my application and amplifier choices I made a noobish mistake (before talking to Danny) and went with a different kit than the N3. But now that I am stuck building the other kit I have made the decision to go ahead and order turnkey Skiing Ninja crossovers. I am now fully convinced that they will be worth the expense. He uses Sonicaps fwiw. As an aside, I will also be building the stock crossover to compare, and will post the results in another forum later for those interested in the results. Be a few months till up and running, some of the gear for the planned system hasn't been released yet. Also, at that time, I will be seeking N3 owners in the Pacific Northwest region (Seattle/Bellevue, etc) so as to compare speakers. My next, larger system will hopefully consist of GR Research speakers. Regardless, I plan on using GR amplification and Danny's help to build a set of Brahma 15 OB subs for this first system.

wushuliu · « **Reply #32 on:** 28 Jul 2010, 10:35 pm »

Quote from: Russtafarian on 28 Jul 2010, 09:56 pm

I really like the Jantzen Z-Superior for coupling caps in electronics. In that application they get really close to teflon-like performance for a lot less money.

Anyone tried them in speaker cossovers? They're a little more expensive than Soniccap I & II but may be a nice step up in performance.

I have tried the Superior Z in crossovers. They were my favorite, but they can be a tad sharp in the top end depending on your setup. I have since moved on to the K73-16 PETP russian caps. They sound better to my ears and they are dirt cheap. Shipping takes a few weeks though from ebay.

dvenardos · « **Reply #33 on:** 29 Jul 2010, 05:30 am »

I have the older version, good book.

http://www.amazon.com/Electronics-Dummies-Cathleen-Shamieh/dp/0470286970/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1280381308&sr=1-1

Quote from: eclein on 28 Jul 2010, 07:59 pm

OK..so what do the numbers mean?? A cap is 1.0uF or whatever..is that the voltage thats allowed through? Created? I need CAPS for Dummies or Crossovers for Dummies..anybody got a link to a site that explains it all without giving me a headache?? LOL..

NagysAudio · « **Reply #34 on:** 29 Jul 2010, 05:53 am »

Why is everyone on Audio Circle extremely biased towards the SoniCaps? Have most of you actually compared them to at least a handful of other capacitors?

From direct comparison, Solen capacitors sound significantly better. So do cheap ERO MKT1822 caps.

Going up in price range, the Jantzen Z Silver also sound better and so do the Mundorf Silver/Oil caps.

Going back to OP, both wire and capacitors can make a sonic difference. Capacitors probably make a more significant difference, but the two are independent of each other.

dvenardos · « **Reply #35 on:** 29 Jul 2010, 06:09 am »

This cap test gets linked quite frequently.
http://www.humblehomemadehifi.com/Cap.html

Danny Richie · « **Reply #36 on:** 29 Jul 2010, 06:21 am »

Quote

From direct comparison, Solen capacitors sound significantly better. So do cheap ERO MKT1822 caps.

Nope, those aren't even close.

Quote

Going up in price range, the Jantzen Z Silver also sound better and so do the Mundorf Silver/Oil caps.

Both of those caps add coloration. The Sonicaps do not.

srb · « **Reply #37 on:** 29 Jul 2010, 06:28 am »

Quote from: NagysAudio on 29 Jul 2010, 05:53 am

Why is everyone on Audio Circle extremely biased towards the SoniCaps? Have most of you actually compared them to at least a handful of other capacitors?

From direct comparison, Solen capacitors sound significantly better. So do cheap ERO MKT1822 caps.

The statement that the Solen capacitors "sound significantly better" is merely one person's subjective opinion, unsupported by either measurements or science. To say it as a blanket statement of fact is ludicrous.

Is Nagys entitled to a subjective opinion? Yes. Is it a fact that Solen capacitors sound better than Sonicaps? Not by any stretch of the imagination.

Steve

tesseract · « **Reply #38 on:** 29 Jul 2010, 09:40 am »

The comparison of caps vs. cabling is apples to oranges.

werd · « **Reply #39 on:** 29 Jul 2010, 11:06 pm »

Quote from: tesseract on 29 Jul 2010, 09:40 am

The comparison of caps vs. cabling is apples to oranges.

Yes they are different (apples and oranges) but i was trying to get a sense of how much tweaking i can get out of a cap when maybe it can be done just swapping out speaker cables.

For eg. I am thinking treble less/more, better bass, more air around instruments, all sound stage ques basically.