Coupling Capacitor upgrade? Which one first?


Hi. 
I read similar posts but I couldn't find an exact answer.

Dac output coupling cap. 
Amp input coupling cap(not interstage!)

Which one is more impact and first I should change?
If you can give more specific experiments you did, I will be more happy..
selman

Showing 8 responses by selman

George actually I tried to change The dac output caps with wire. Not too much change. (just a feeling some thing removed :)
Because of this, I started to think amplifier input cap more important than dac output caps(>>>>).
But you guys more experienced than me probably. Maybe someone has similar experience or explanation..
Dac is altmann attraction dac with 3.3uf wima mks2 63vdc output coupling caps. Amplifier is a diy chip integrated amplifier with 4.7uf wima mks2 63vdc  input caps.
Both working with 12v.Using 35v plus will be enough I think. 
Source is linear psu powered esi juli xte sound card. Speakers fostex full range bass reflex.

I tried to change wima leads with non-magnetic leads. There was an improve ment.
I also tried to use beeswax filled electrolytic cap(it is a diy effort) for input of the amp.I started to get soundstage information and vocals had more clarity.
But electrolytic caps seems unstable performance for dc blocking. And I realized a good cap can be very good :)

Still I don’t understand why wima caps aren’t good enough. But I decided to try a good cap. But they are pretty expensive and probably all of their website has no information about their products.

Audiocap rt or theta ppt
Jantzen alumen z cap
Rike audio s cap 2
Jupiter condenser beeswax ht or wax ht
Lefson c-mod
Intertechnik audyn tri reference
Clarity Cap cmr
Audience auricap xo
Jantzen superior z cap
Mundorf supreme evo oil

These are all I listed from reading all over the internet.. :)




I ordered New wimas from mouser, I will try them next week.Maybe my amp input wimas are fake ones. Maybe it makes a difference. 
What do you think which one is more important caps, amplifier input or dac output? 
I didn't like the scratchy noise while I moving volume pot when I removed the dac output caps. I am planning buy an headphone amp which have not input caps. This can be problem. 
Amplifier input cap isn't related to cutoff frequency in this chip amp. (cutoff frequency determined with feedback cap and feedback resistor value wrt to datasheet).
I begin to guess amplifier input cap is much important than dac output caps(if amp doesn't have input cap, then dac output cap becomes have same level importance).
Just I wanted learn you/someone have similar conclusion..


I also don't understand why manufacturers don't have any info about their capacitors. 
I don't expect too much thing from a capacitor. Enough clarity with vocals, good soundtage stage info, good bass, neutral, coherent, neutral tone.. 
Basically it should be transparent(in my perspective it is The same thing with clarity).
I don't know what these words mean in science.. 


Volume pot is between rca input and input coupling caps of the amp..

I read lots of comments on the internet about caps between dac and amp.
Generally people have tube amp(only have interstage and output capacitor) & dac(have output caps), they say dac output caps have large impact on the sound..
Scientifically, it is not meaninfull.. 
Even I really doubt boutique cap manufacturers design their capacitors based on pure science.. 
Everything so confusing. 
I read a review saying Jantzen silver z cap have much more detail than jantzen superior z cap. Manufacturer says only difference is silver z cap just uses silver leads!!
There are lots of experienced people in this forum(I am guessing :)
Still there isn't any real answer to my question..
I also thanks to people trying to help me.. 
Do you know anything about these brands and capacitors?

Audiocap rt or theta ppt
Jantzen alumen z cap
Rike audio s cap 2
Jupiter condenser beeswax ht or wax ht
Lefson c-mod
Intertechnik audyn tri reference
Clarity Cap cmr
Audience auricap xo
Jantzen superior z cap
Mundorf supreme evo oil