Caps for tweeters under $300


I acquired a pair of LSA 2's in a trade, had the ribbon tweeter floorstander version in the past and always liked LSA sound. These aren't my main speakers so experimenting is not such a big concern just can't blow to much $ on them. They came with stock standard soft dome and ring radiator from seller. I'm using ring radiator which is known to be a little tipped up. I had to decrease resistor value to balance everything, now sounds better than soft dome.  Then I tried to save money and put  4.7 and 8.2 Sonicap, there very detailed but don't find them musical or a good match with ring radiator. I did put a path resistor on tweeters and mills everywhere else, and a solid copper rewire. I would like to make them very smooth relaxed but sill detailed. Will be used with el84 amp. I'm new to speaker modding so could use any guidance or help. The one's I'm looking at are mundorf supreme around $170 or Clarity cap at $270. I could add a 1. Mundorf S/G bypass caps to Mundorf for$100 and still be at Clarity cap price point. I'm just not sure about bypass concept for good or bad. I'm open to any suggestions, thanks for any help.

paulcreed

Showing 3 responses by rauliruegas

Dear @paulcreed  : Like 10-12 months ago I decided to change again the caps of my external passive speakers crossover where in the past I used V-caps, Sonicraft,  Mundorf and I had the opportunity to test Duelund and before all those a few more.

This time I want it to try was the " last change " so I took months asking " expwerts " on Agon forums about but in reality when I ask in specific for my needs no one of those experts really gave me help/advise. 

My quest was in favor of true " neutral " caps where not the Mundorf or Duelund ( extremly expensive. ) achieve my neutrality target. What for XO that shares that target are the Duelund resistors. The inductors in my XO are ribbon 100% silver ones.

At the end of my research Clarity and Jantzen were my candidates along teflon caps by V-caps and Sonicraft but difference in price is very significant for my needs: 4-4.5uf, 2-16.8uf and 2-100uf.

I decided for Jantzen after read and re-read its information in its web site and between other things the explanation of why ( as others caps manufacturers. ) they designed the Alumen ( twetters/mid-range. ) Z caps with 100vdc instead of 400-800 vdc and mails to Jantzen and Clarity I decided for Jantzen. Btw, M.D.Jantzen not only is very knowledge on the caps overall concept but a true gentleman and friendly.

I can tell you that first its build quality is just second to none with cares on every detail you can imagine and yes it's  the most neutral cap I ever experienced.
The MUSIC information flows as if there is nothing between it and you. It's outsatnding and only with experiences with the Alumen Z against the more expensive ones we can know what I'm talking about. 

Another advantage is that you have that very high quality level performance for way lower lower $$$$ than Duelund, Jupiter, Mundorf and the like and overall the Alumen Z caps performs better that many of the $$$$$ caps.

Of course that with passive parts in a Speakers XO always is dependent of the speaker drivers and whole design and each one of us priorities.

I think you can't go wrong with the Alumen Z caps:


http://www.jantzen-audio.com/alumen-z-cap/


R.

Dear @paulcreed : """ I don’t think live sounds very good unless done in an acoustic setting in a nice room. """

of course and if you are not trying to " duplicate " live music ( impossible to do it but in my case I always want to stay nearer as I can or my room/system permits. ) then now I understand the adjectives you used in your posts. Good luck with your second system.

R.
Dear @paulcreed : "" I would like to make them very smooth relaxed...."""

"" just scared it may be bright ..."""

"" unless someone can suggest a non fatiguing musical cap around """


with all those you posted I can’t be sure if you really like MUSIC and I mean live MUSIC and I say this because live MUSIC at nearfield seated position ( 2-3m that’s where recording microphones are positioned. ) is not smooth in any way and it’s brigth and depending of the kind of MUSIC fatiguiting too and yes colorfull with great dynamics/power/weigth and very fast transients and gorgeous rythm.

"" looking for a smooth, liquid and a natural sound with weight on cymbals,.... """

you ask in your words for " natural sound " well the live MUSIC has natural sound with those characteristics I mentioned before and many others. Maybe you have to attend more often to live MUSIC events and try to have experiences seated at nearfield position and then you will know how live MUSIC is in reality that’s not what you are looking for. You ask for something that just does not exist in live MUSIC.

It's the same with @beetlemania when he speaks of " adding warmth " when live MUSIC is not warmth in any way  ! ! ? ? ?

From where came all those wrong adjectives used to show MUSIC characteristics when those characteristics do not exist in live MUSIC ? ?  Gentlemans, what are you listening it because MUSIC : no way?

Btw, Jantzen Alumen Z caps. Don’t by-pass nothing till the caps are already broken and you can really evaluate the quality performance of thoase speakers.

Regards and enjoy the MUSIC NOT DISTORTIONS,
R.