Capacitors drying out in an old amp


If one is evaluating old amplifiers how does one know if the capacitors are drying out/dried out. Does the drying out process take a long time? Say, 1 or 2 years or is it quick?

Can the ears tell us if it is so?

I tried to check this but could not come up with anything. However most agree that an amp which is over 15 years old most probably needs the capacitors to be changed.

Quad amps have the current dumping system and according to what I have read are sort of self adjusting amps which do not change the sound characteristics over certain period of time. Is this also related to the issue raised above.

Sorry for so many questions but if someone can explain in laymans terms if possible, it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
quadophile

Showing 1 response by rockvirgo

Quado, in 1999 I replaced the Mallory brand, computer grade, large can electrolytic caps in a circa 1985 Threshold S/300 Series II. I stuck with the same brand and capacitance value although many prefer to enhance it. The change was easy and required only a screw driver and attention to their orientation. Sonically, the new caps may have imparted some smoothness but the real difference was slight if any. The main benefit was not worrying about it anymore. Although these big caps begin to degrade the day they're made it doesn't mean the sky is falling. Replace yours before they hit 20 years and you'll be OK fine.

On my amp, self adjusting has to do with regulating the bias of the output devices, which sets the amount of current flowing through them continuously as opposed to having them switch completely on and off.