I should state and have before that when using vintage amps and changing coupling caps (or any caps) which for SURE change the tonal balance it is an easy adjustment for me. (tone controls)
Vintage and Ampohm caps -4 on treble and +4 on bass. Even on Jensen and VSF bass is cut and treble up to flat.
No tone controls? Hmmm... Anyone changing caps should be prepared for this. I am already expecting with CAST a full cut to flat on bass.
If one could not adjust tone a mixture of caps may be needed? |
The Duelund CAST caps are in and they are WAY bigger than the VSF caps or the Jensen's. I have yet to find a case ever where the bigger heavier cap did not sound better. They go in tomorrow if they fit! |
One area to note is the new Duelund caps do not have the customary Duelund smell? Anyone else notice this and why? Duelund and comments? |
Charles1dad
The CAST is clearly in the break in phase. The sound in stereo favored the speaker with the CAST with a BIG tilt in volume and dynamics to that speaker. I do not want to put to much into this phase as memory serves me that the CAST needed a couple week break-in. The CAST is getting softer with break-in but was very stiff when brand new like no other cap. The VSF did not have a stiff sound brand new.
I had heard so much about VCap break in but they were nothing like the CAST break-in which showed great promise at the same time as a big hardness to the sound. (initial moments)
To be honest it concerned me at first. I liked the increased dynamics but do not want a punishing sound to get it. The sound in the cap changes by the hour? |
I would not call it HiFi ... Natural aggressive and tight. Overpowering the other caps.
My CAST tweeter caps took a couple weeks to break-in the were tight out of the box. VSF sounded good right out of the box and got better.
All that being said the CAST is quieting down and sounding more like it's brother (VSF) all the time.
When you do get your CAST (since end of July?) expect two weeks before you have a full idea of how they sound. The change is very big but at least it is quick! |
Charles1dad
I have not read this very long thread in a long time! (went back to what I said ages ago)
I can say the CAST has not behaved the same for break-in for electronics as crossover. I have no idea why?
Crossover CAST started dark and opened up and in electronics CAST were bright and stiff dynamic and agressive and are rapidly quieting down. I am curious to how things settle?
I did read and had forgot I ordered CAST for my midrange but ended up with VSF and took them. (I was semi Ok but slightly disapointed at the time as the $ on CAST parts was just a little crazy to me) It is interesting (even if sometimes I wish I could delete some posts) to go back and read what one said years later. I had forgot I got rid of a pile of vinyl after the CAST tweeter caps went in. You could hear vinyl wear like child's play.
Anyone who reads this thread please remember even 4 years ago passive parts were not thought to be important by most people. I just ordered a VSF tweeter cap (recomended by someone on this forum) saying what the heck it is only $150 or so. |
I have installed a Duelund VSF alongside the CAST removing the vintage cap for better testing. (not a big change less tizzy maybe over the vintage plus more bass)
One channel
CAST and VSF
other channel
Jensen Copper Paper Tube and VSF.
I would like to go two CAST vs. two VSF but that will take some surgery. CAST are huge!
In the posts I had done from a couple of years ago Duelund had warned me difference from going from VSF to CAST would not be like going from vintage to VSF. It seemed logical I was already very high up the scale.
To a big surprise to me it was a bigger difference!
In electronics..... Well exactly the same thing.
CAST is a different animal than any other cap.
Frederik had mentioned Steen's goal of less "out-of-phase resonance anomalies" giving less amplitude. Yes and no. In going from channel to channel at the same volume it is quieter yet more dynamic with the CAST. So you notice the CAST much more. Sounds are sounds not blurr.
I noticed this clearly in the tweeter. Noise was WAY down clarity or volume of high freq. up.
The technical superiority of CAST is beyond a doubt. What does "out of phase resonance do"? Blurrs sound but can smooth or soften.
The difference is shocking. CAST is soooo accurate and literal. If you are looking for tizzy some might call it "air" better look elsewhere. Out of phase resonance in my mind can warm or dull a voice and blurr and greatly reduce all dynamics.
I have for a long time thought CAST would be "THE" cap for the phono stage. I ended up trying VCap Cuft there and cost was the reason. (before these new prices) |
Frederik your Danglish is excellent.
When in stereo the CAST cap dominates and overpowers the others. Yet when balance control is used to shift signal side to side the CAST speaker has less amplitude. The cap dominates through dynamics.
My feeling on CAST is the same as when used in the speakers they are less forgiving than VSF. VSF sound flatter, duller, softer less dynamic and less alive but always nice. CAST crisp, dynamic, very lively and crystal clear. CAST will not make a poorly recorded CD sound nice. CAST are more source sensitive or maybe a better way to say it source revealing.
(over half way through break-in is my guess) |
Barrysandy
I would say people knew about capacitors different sounds far before 1980. In the vintage amps I have better quality caps were used in key places in the 50's and 60's. West German Vishay ERO's used over generic caps in key spots.
A Marantz 7c has beefy caps and almost for sure not co-incidence. |
Break in should be near done.
When listening in stereo the mind focuses on the channel with the CAST.
When the balance goes back and forth the CAST side has (as Frederik mentioned) less amplitude.
Interesting. Does the mind focus on dynamics over volume? |
Oeaohoo
I have a fair bit to say about what you have said but am off to work now.
You need to compare the Ampohm vs. CAST in real time if you can? I have Ampohm and have done so against VSF. The Ampohm (which I like in a way) are exactly like the vintage Vishay ERO and if one wants to maintain a vintage tone they are great for that in a guitar amp I am sure as well.
There is one cap I have mentioned many times that always sounds nice but for some reason is falling out of favour. The VSF is vastly superior to Ampohm and still has some resonance that some will like. Remember the Clarity paper had 30% of people liking high resonance caps.
Is it the CAST's fault that a poorly recorded CD will sound like crap? The VSF are far more forgiving. You need to hear the HUGE dynamic difference from CAST to Ampohm. Ampohm is all resonance sound added and you do pay a big price. I disagree with Tony' ranking on the Ampohm because of its clear flaws. Complete lack of bass in comparison.
More on this later have to go. |
Oeaohoo
quote
" The haze I feel contributed to a fuller sound by masking the details.."
Have you heard both caps in real time? The resonance you talk about with Ampohm is not in any way even across all frequencies. The fullness is in the middle upper frequencies masking all other frequencies. A high resonance cap like vintage Vishay Ero or Ampohm are adding to the signal but they do not make all frequencies fuller. To me that would be more livable.
I have mentioned in many posts the CAST are not forgiving. I lost about 1/3 of my vinyl when the CAST tweeter caps went in. You could hear groove wear as plain as day. Is this CAST's fault? Is it CAST's fault that a loudness war CD will sound terrible?
I do understand what you are saying though as I owned an older Linn LP12 and traded it off on a VPI. My brain knew the VPI had less resonance but my heart missed the energy and soul of the LP12. I bought another more modern LP12. That your choice of caps before was Ampohm says what you like. The Clarity paper did say 30% of people like high resonance caps.
This thread was done so that one could have an idea of what to expect of caps when you spend your $$$.
If one wants EVERYTHING to sound nice get VSF. Zero downside in my mind! That is why I am sounding out the amp with a possible mixture of VSF and CAST.
I still may end up all CAST but am not afraid to add a VSF to the mix. A flawed cap by comparison but nice flaws.
I would not describe CAST as forward though. Direct, dynamic and accurate maybe?
To be fair to the CAST put on some high quality recording of real instruments and listen in real time vs. the Ampohms. I bet you will REALLY hear the faults of Ampohms. You have went to polar extremes! going from Ampohms to CAST.
In doing these tests I bought several amps started changing caps in the worst sounding amp till it sounded wayyyyy better (even with Jensen) then the best sounding stock vintage and left one side in one EL 84 amp original till just now to go back and revisit. There is nothing better about it anymore no memory nostalgia.
Try going back and forth if you can and report back. I bet you will be frustrated with high resonance now you have heard ultra low. |
Johnk
I did for months compared modified to stock both in real time. I even used digital and analog sources and used SS and tube amplification to compare. Modern and vintage amps as well. New tubes old tubes everything I could think of within reason. As you recall I took some flak for testing this way one chanel at a time.
I have since sold off some of the gear but even when comparing amps it would be one circuit stock and one modified. I started with the poorest sounding amp leaving the best stock one as the benchmark. All of this until recently. Now I have no stock amps. I have stock phono section that will compare when the CAST goes in. |
Charles1dad
I think electrolytics maybe should be illegal in the signal path. (just kidding)
I put back the vintage electrolytic in the power supply and it is MUCH better than the modern Jensen. The vintage is twice as big at least and 3 to 5x as heavy is my guess. Quite a while back I posted that I have yet to find when the bigger heavy cap of a similiar style did not sound better. This included say Mundorf Supreme's being much more dynamic than say Sonicaps. (the Mundorf's being much bigger)
I suspect the drive to be smaller lighter more compact causes less weight and more resonance. I have really wanted someone to try a Duelund power supply. No takers that I know of?
I have asked for Christmas for a capacitor (phono stage) from family. (too funny) I bet that is the first time someone may open their Christmas gift and
opened a capacitor! |
For Christmas I have asked for some Blu-Ray (Audio) music as well. Tom Petty is one of the only one I can find? Neil Young but that is a box set.
Right now I am getting familiar with the phono section which still has the vintage caps. I must say doing the pre-amp section has made the turntable sound MUCH better. I did not connect the turntable for quite some time. (just too vintage sounding) I am enjoying it now.
I have high hopes for the CAST in the phono section. |
Hi Micheal
If I remember correct you had heard the Jensen Copper Paper Tube but not Duelund VSF or CAST? (not sure)
I would rank them more like
Duelund CAST
Duelund VSF
Jensen Copper Paper Tube
then VCap Cuft which have strengths over the Jensen's which are muffled in comparison but VCaps have a synthetic sound to me. I know your not in the Jensen camp I think it can be what our mind will and will not accept and can be different for each person. The VCaps have a lightning fast charge and discharge to me that keeps them from being dynamic like the CAST.
I am glad I tried VCaps though as well as Mundorf Supreme to get an understanding of what caps do. We have to keep this in perspective a Mundorf Supreme would be better than what 99% of companies use in the crossover?
Have you heard the CAST? They have Jensen strengths but way less muffled sound. I would like to here if you could fault the CAST except maybe no forgiveness for poor recordings.
I have not heard the Clarity or Duelund Alexander to know where they fit in the range.
I am going to use the Jensen in a bedroom system. All other caps have been sold or will be. |
Many of us may feel the CAST is the best cap for sale today but is it the best of all time???
Has anyone compared a CAST to a vintage Western Electric? (they are huge)
Frederik have you??? Come on let us know. |
I can say that I am using Duelund Silver 2.0 version II speaker cables and as good as they are they do not make the difference CAST caps do.
If the choice was one or the other for the same dollar gets caps. |
Houstonreef
Why not a few inches of Duelund .5 Silver?
I have tried solid core Copper Duelund and it recessed the highs. Not sure Avantegarde uses for wiring but stranded copper in my mind chops up the sound.
I have Duelund .5 Silver all internal using the the solid core copper on the woofer and 2.0 for cables. To me the solid flat silver keeps the harmonic structure intact.
It is actually quite noticeable.
I had to add inches to wire because of much larger parts and did not hear a downside. |
I remember at the time wishing Duelund made flat copper to compare to flat Silver. I was never sure how much of the difference was because of flat and how much was Silver vs. Copper? |
Just installed the phono stage CAST.
At first the one of the output tube glowed very hot. I was thinking short.
Then quickly settled down. The CAST is doing as always just over powering the other caps. I am surprised more have not commented on the initial install of CAST is very overpowering. The volume out of the phono section with the CAST is double the other signal.
For anyone who reads this and is changing caps if you have two caps in the circuit from say pre-amp to power the first cap you change makes more difference than the second. The circuit tends to take it's most influence from the dominant cap. |
I have the feeling CAST caps pass a lot of current through them when they are forming at least in electronics?
Then they settle down. Is this due to construction?
I have not had a single other cap do this.
Read a good blog on Duelund Facebook about Tannoy Westminsters and upgrades. The owner was shocked at some parts quality. Reminds me of what Steen had said and sadly seems to be the case of cheap internal parts. My speakers had the signal go through a screw? (1" long) Leaves one scratching your head? |
Roxy54
At first it was laborious but not anymore. At first I had no idea what to expect now a good idea. Explain to me the science of a fuse I just have no idea? |
On the Duelund thread there is a link to a Tannoy blog where someone is talking about in their opinion the VSF sounds better and are cheaper than CAST. VSF the cap that does not get so much discussion as it's big brother.
I for one do not agree with the statement except VSF is more forgiving does not sound stiff when new and does not require the long break in.
Right now the test is and part of this is space reasons.
Left Channel
CAST Phono with VSF and Jensen on line stage.
Right channel
Vintage Phono with VSF and CAST on line stage.
This test was a which cap is more important line stage or phono? I can say the well broke in CAST in the line stage can not recuperate the lost energy from the phono stage with a vintage cap.
Early results (not broke in yet) is the phono stage is a very critical cap. |
On the fritz again. EL 84 today into the repair shop. Thank goodness I found a local amp repair shop and builder.
Amp was sounding fantastic. |
After the amp went I hooked back an old DVD player knowing the TV sound was going to be really bad after the the Duelund loaded amp was taken in for repair.
What really SHOCKED me is how much better the Oppo BDP95 picture is! Holy Smokes just crazy! Even my wife is going Holy Smokes this is awful compared to the Oppo.
The kids got Lost series for Christmas (we have watched at ton of it and I do not normally watch TV) but I have to admit watching it on the Oppo and hearing the sound of my system is just unbelievable. Makes watching VERY enjoyable.
Using the same system for music and stereo TV has really reduced any complaints from the wife! (about $$$) The wife and kids think the sound for movies is awesome!
Duelund makes great a product but so does Oppo. Not only did the BDP-95 beat my $7k CD player it is just AWESOME for sound on movies in stereo (we do not use 5.1 just one system) and has a fantastic picture. The realism in voices just amazing... (fantastic value)
I am very glad I went the one (really high quality) system route and has really worked for me! (and the whole family)
When your wife and kids really want your amp to get repaired this works wonders on how the money was spent as a family purchase. |
You guys had me feeling bad making the Tesla comment so I went out today and bought some Psvane 12AX7's from partsconnexion. Should be here tomorrow or next day. Chris had good things to say about them.
This thread was about the value in audio and I have to admit those Duelund CAST caps are good value. (with the new discount on small values)
I am going to compare the Psvane's vs. the OS (many kinds) and the Gold Lion 12AX7's which I thought were better and any old tube I have.
I never should have test drove that Tesla. 400hp instant power of electric is addicting! Sorry my mind is wandering again. |
By co-incidence I found a local tube amp builder and repair shop. He does repairs from all over North America...
My amp had a tube starting to arc. He checked over the amp and did not redo my soldering, which I thought he might.
He also has a customers Audio Note 300b in for repair and I hope he calls me when he sound tests that amp after repair...
For testing reasons he can make sure any amp I have is up to snuff. Already he found on testing some Raytheon tubes (EL84) that were in one amp I tested (and shelved) that I had a ASC poly cap power supply installed that the tubes were defective. They tested good on the tester but distortion appeared when volume was turned up... (tested good sounded bad)
I will be able to get back to that test ASC power supply. Reason I want to know what power supply cap matters? That test would be ASC vs. vintage which is the best I have had so far...
In his amp builds he uses no electrolytics.
Now I can get push pull or triode options of newer used or custom made with power supply caps of choice... I know it will be Duelund CAST in the coupling but not sure about style of amp or power supply.
On getting back the amp and hours piling on in the phono stage. I am also running a hard drive to the Oppo with 24bit high res music coming in. Early testing but even high res digital is not as good as analog in realism...
The Duelund CAST phono stage caps might have moved the vinyl playback beyond digital in the sense of realism. Before caps were changed in the amp all the way through digital sounded better.... |
More info to come but I have revised where I would spend money first on caps...
I said tweeter caps before but now have changed that to phono stage.
I am reading a voltage increase of 400 to 1,000 on even moving magnet and 10 times that on MC cartridges.
The CAST caps difference here is just jaw dropping. To the point I am ordering new power tubes just to be sure.
To a great extent it makes sense. This is a very fragile signal. A not stellar cap will lose info... This is an area where you DO NOT want a high resonance cap!
Duelund CAST in the phono to me is a slam dunk!
More info to follow on comparing to a modern Audio Note 300b that was at the repair shop... |
Ordered new tubes.
7189 (used for 6BQ5's) Prefered Series (tubestore)
12Ax7's new Gold Lions.
I only have one set of vintage 6BQ5's left so want to know how they compare to new tubes. |
Gold Lion 12AX7 clearly a low resonance tube.... |
VPN
I do not think you need a cooker on Duelund.
I found CAST overpowering at first but settle in fairly quickly and quickly they should exceed what you had... I bet you are most surprised by the inductors... Good Luck!
Let us know.
On tubes.
I am at somewhat of a loss for words on the Gold Lion 12AX7's vs. the vintage tubes that were in... I have a sneaky feeling these tubes are VERY low resonance. The difference in sound was shocking vs. vintage and on the same lines of vintage caps to CAST. This is the first "new" production 12AX7 I have tried with all these vintage amps I have I had a pile of good testing old tubes that most covet. I did not expect the GL's to sound so different? I keep hearing how new tubes are somehow substandard to NOS big names...
Not sure what to make of this but the Gold Lions are for sure quieter with smaller separated imaging and maybe dark (again like they look) as they do not glow much...
I feel they are likely going to be loved or ditched... Just so different. |
Resonance
It is common thought at least on this thread that the best of today's capacitors exceed what was available in the past.
It has been known for decades that bigger beefier caps were more dynamic and were in many companies better amps.
What is better today? Resonance or better control of it. What is bad about resonance? Resonance fills out a frequency giving perceived liquidity. (sounds good) The bad part is this is not done across the spectrum but at the frequency the part resonates at...
In all the cap testing I have done it is the middle upper to upper frequency that parts resonate with loss of clarity and detail at the extremes.
Tubes. Vintage capacitors do not have the same following or held in the same regard as vintage tubes. It seems no tube can be as good as a tube made many years ago in North America or Europe from the "tube era"...
Here is a review not of a capacitor but of a new tube (Northern Electric) vs. vintage. (KT88's)
The reviewer does not know it (I think) but is talking about resonance. I feel I could have wrote this comparing vintage caps to Duelund CAST.
"Compared to a pair of NOS tubes that I had on hand, the only area where the NOS tubes excelled was in imparting a noticeable liquid quality to upper mid-range and lower treble. However, this small gain was at the expense of considerable bass control, definition and detail, especially given the single-ended application in which these tubes were used. While the NOS tubes imparted a romanticized character to the sound, the NE tubes conveyed a confidence that the listener was hearing more of the source material and with greater accuracy".
Tomorrow I am going to test the vintage 12AX7's tubes vs. the new Gold Lions.
Selection of tubes is an extensive list of Telefunken, U.S. and British made tubes.
Even before the test I was quite shocked when the Gold Lions went in. They exhibited all the same characteristics of putting in CAST caps...
Low resonance increased detail I had not heard more and better controlled bass.
Looking forward to trying some of today's better tubes. |
VPN
That's huge! How much does it weigh?
Grannyring
What makes this cap sound so good? |
Hello Grannyring
I have some small values that I might replace in the phono stage not even sure how much difference these would make. I had thought about some of the Duelund Alexander for this as I have not heard them...
VPN it will be in pounds that cap!
On 12AX7's and resonance. Tubes could make someone crazy. It is a flavouring that one can get that is system based and I can see how guitar guys look for a certain type (of tube) based on a sound they want to "create". The new Gold Lions are bigger beefier and sound that way over the vintage I have. (which is quite a few)(more testing to do)
They resonate less than the vintage ones therefore sound better across the spectrum. If one is focused at a certain freq. they could sound not as full but the vintage tube makes that freq. fuller but at the expense of the rest of the spectrum. I was just going to say I would not go nuts looking for a certain vintage hard to find big $$$ tube over changing caps to CAST.
Grannyring this comes back to under what grounds (technically) should these caps be so good? Not saying they do not just why? Is your whole amp foil caps? (Duelund or other) as well as the speaker crossover?
I did find in the crossover you get "some" natural sound if you mix and match foil with poly caps but not all it could be and I am not saying just with Duelund but even vintage or other foil caps. |
Grannyring
I might have to try these caps.
On the Duelund Facebook page.
http://jeffsplace.me/wordpress/?p=3701
There is mention about someone thinking the VSF was more musical. I do not know if I would say that, the CAST is clearly the superior cap technically but I for sure am not afraid to use some VSF and have done so.
What I am really intrigued about is what is the new cap for a 200uf Mylar CAST for the Tannoy Westminster?
Frederik any word? A power supply cap maybe?
I was reading on one website about how some tube amp makers (for fanatics) using only vintage electrolytics in the power supply. The site went on to poke fun at these users of vintage electrolytics as belonging to "the occult".
Last I checked I was not in any occult but do agree vintage electrolytics in the power supply smoked the Jensen electrolytics. I took out the Jensen and put back in the vintage and wayyyyyyy better!
Yet some of my vintage electrolytics are wearing out and a replacement with as good of sound is needed. |
On the post
"Frederik pointed out to me that many people mistakenly think inductors arent as important as other circuit components because they typically deal with lower frequencies.
He said, In fact its the total opposite, the lower registers are far more resonant in nature than high frequencies, which means resonance control becomes even more important. People are always slow to try the inductors, but when they eventually do, they are always amazed at the difference."
I have to admit to agree with this. Maybe because most inductors are garbage that the difference is so big?
I have tried to get someone on here to do a Duelund power supply. I am so curious to what is possible. If a vintage electrolytic is so much better what is a top notch power supply like? |
Also does anyone know what Jimmy is talking about with this new electrolytic cap???
http://jimmyauw.com/2013/06/06/no-name-capacitor-revision-2/
Is it Jensen coming out with a new line? Electrolytic wrapped in paper? Anyone know anything? |
Just so everyone knows I was just not going gaga over a car. Elon Musk (Tesla) says Super Capacitors are what is going to replace batteries.
He did not mention how good they would sound though? |
Hello Duelund
I have been reading the thread on the Tannoy Westminster's.
http://jeffsplace.me/wordpress/?p=3794
Tannoy speakers use an autoformer same as mine. I assume the Tannoy autoformer is of similiar construction as mine a thin gauge wire wrapped in wax paper. Is this a part you could make? I know if have asked this before.
My understanding on the autoformer is the taps are set for each driver. My autoformer is of similiar construction as the vintage woofer inductor, wax paper wrapped wire some resonance control but not great... Does the wax dry out in time as well? (especially at the edges)
In testing that I done years ago on the vintage wax paper woofer inductor it was better at noise control than a new air core inductor with no way of dealing with resonance. The Duelund VSF inductor was even much better at noise control and I wish I tried CAST but oh well only so much money.
So I guess two questions.
1 Can you make autoformers out of flat wire? (my gut tells me this is a area of weakness in my crossover)
2 The new CAST Mylar caps will they be in higher voltages and suitable for power supply?
I have not yet found a better power supply cap than the vintage electrolytics but I would like to and suspect CAST would be very quiet? I hope someone tries them. |
On Jeff's place doing the Duelund crossover for the Tannoy Westminster's they had hooked the speakers up to to a vintage amp. They were shocked at how good the vintage amp was.
http://jeffsplace.me/wordpress/?p=4121
The reasons? Hmmmm.
My guess is the vintage is foil caps... I had also mentioned on here before the vintage power supply smoked and I mean smoked the Jensen Electrolytic in the power supply. It was like like liquid vs. dry...
I have been really hoping someone would do a Duelund paper in oil power supply. Leak was using paper in oil in the power supply many years ago...
My gut tells me even a VSF power supply would be very good. I have a full Duleund chain except one vintage cap in the phono stage I am still testing and will finish off with another CAST.
You can mix and match caps as long as they are of the same type with not much problem just energy and dynamic differences.
This thread started off years ago trying to best the vintage caps (in the speakers) and it was not as easy as I thought it would be... |
Eherdian
I have not heard the Copper tube but would expect similiar to paper tube.
The VCapcuft is altogether different.
I was getting some work done on the amp today from a local tube amp builder and repair guy. (great guy)
The amp that caught fire a long time ago.
We were talking about the very subject of what is different in a vintage amp?
1 Carbon resistors. He is not a fan as they drift.
2 Capacitors are foil vs. poly.
3 Paper bobbins vs. plastic in the new output transformers
4 Vintage tubes themselves.
5 Vintage Electrolytics in the power supply.
This can total up to be quite a big difference in sound...
I have not directly compared 1 and 3 directly but have done 2, 4 and 5 and 2 I like the vintage or Duelund or Jensen and 5 I have not bested vintage.
Oddly #4 the tubes themselves (the one everyone goes nuts over) I would like to hear more of but maybe the new tubes are better? This may not be strange though as there is no plastic in either tube!
Maybe the issue is plastic? 2 and 3 for sure it does. |
Eherdian
Interesting you mention that about the Audio Note Caps. When at the amp repair shop he was working on an Audio Note 300b amp and it was one of the coupling caps that went. The copper foil in Mylar type.
I am going to guess it was one of the older Audio Note amps.
Nice sounding amp though. I am glad they are taking care of you. |
Eherdian
It was the vintage electrolytic that smoked the new one... The old electrolytic was bigger heavier and sounded much better. The new small light Jensen Electrolytic sounded dry. It was like liquid vs. dry and the difference was VERY big in favour of the vintage. I am going to get around to doing a paper in oil power supply some day.
With the amp builder who is a great guy I am asking a ton of questions. If as I understand in an EL 84 circuit the first electrolytic is in the power supply then this would make sense to sound quality...
A comment from someone else talking about old electrolytics in the power supply. I am not aware that I am in any occult?
http://lenardaudio.com/education/14_valve_amps_6.html
"When occult audiophileism evolved during the 1980s, science and technology was replaced with mysticism and many occult followers believed the old rectifier valve and old Electrolytic capacitors contributed to the magical sound of pre 1960 valve amps. Some valve amp manufacturers today, who cater to the occult market, use rectifier valves and old style electros". |
Psvane tubes are in and I am not sure what to make of them? Sound very different. They are for sure low resonance you can tell that right away but dynamic and bass shy for now. |
Helping a friend wire in a new crossover for his 1990 Khorns.
He is currently using a SS amp (trying to get him to throw it out!) and his crossover has poly caps in it for the new crossover and original. To be honest I can not really hear any difference from either original poly or new ones. (both not good)
The tone is radically different from mine!...
He does have a vintage tube amp though with foil caps. I have loaned him some of the original Aerovox foil Klipsch caps for the speaker crossover which are surprising good in the midrange. (not really a big deal different from Duelund VSF in the midrange) He does not have Alnico magnets though.
His amp has the vintage German Vishay Ero Fol II. In tests to me they sound exactly like Tony Gee rated 11+ Ampohm caps. I have both.
I am going to set up friends Khorns with a vintage caps (my old ones) vs. the poly to see what "he" thinks. (in the crossover)
More tests to come with a local amp builder to work on my gear this is great! He does a lot of guitar amp work as well. So he deals with the tone crowd all the time. It is nice to have everything tested first class.
Many discussions with him and his vintage guitar amp customers. (about tone what matters and what doesn't)
He fixed my amp that caught fire explaining to me what happened and how the circuit is not stable. One bad tube and everything melts down but it does sound great!
I have set it up in an all vintage office system speakers and amp. (Linn Karik and Numerik for CD)(no expensive Duelund parts to keep a reference)
Looking forward to trying Duelund CAST as a bypass on the power supply of main system. |
Tests coming up.
1 ASC poly caps as power supply vs. vintage. The amp will be worked on again to get up to snuff.
2. Plastic vs. paper bobbin in the autoformer in the speaker crossover. (friend has bought a new autoformer same specs)(if I can borrow)
3. Duelund CAST as a bypass cap in the power supply.
Nice to know all tubes and amps completely tested now. |
Plus a re-test of my Duelund VSF in series tweeter inductor...
This was the only Duelund part I could not use before. Now with all Duelund caps in the amp it is much quieter.
Last time I knew the Duelund inductor was technically superior to the vintage wax paper inductor which deadened the sound and choked off much signal but Duelund tilted the balance of the speaker.
My speakers are now slightly dark. |
Grannyring
I have not actually bought any parts lately. The Duelund tweeter inductor I had. The Duelund CAST to use on the power supply I have.
Part of me needs to know why those caps would be so good? I am not saying they are not just why?
I can see them competing against
the "Clarity MRs, Sonicap Platinums, CuTF V-Caps. They 'play well' w/the Mundorfs"
That would make them a great bargain for sure as those caps mentioned are much more expensive.
The friend came over with the Khorns to hear the system. The first thing he did was get out his iPhone to test SPL thinking it was louder... It is the dynamics. It is no comparison to his. He has poly caps regular Sonicaps or origials.
I am somewhat surprised that it is not mentioned more about the CAST incredible dynamics. The ratio of the signal turning to mush is astonishingly low. |
theaudiotweak
Tom I have heard that many times from people. I have not compared CAST to mechanical coupling. Have you?
Just back from a friends house hearing his speakers which are Khorns.
The difference is dramatic, grain, slow, plastic sound nowhere near same tone but polite. He is going to hook up a tube amp same as the one I have for better comparison. A huge difference in dynamics.
There was a post on here a while back from someone getting Tinnitus after getting CAST caps. I for one do not doubt it. In putting on a Rock concert video it is weird even though the total volume is not any louder the contrasts are extreme. When those mics are right into the drum set it is loud! Your ears ring like a real concert. VERY powerful. Maybe as one poster said almost to much or at least be careful!
I know Audio Note on there higher end amps uses no caps. I think Jimmy compared CAST to Mechanical coupling did he not? and is there differences in mechanical coupling quality. |
