Electrolytic caps loose rated breakdown voltage and also dry out. They loose rated breakdown voltage because electrolyte "eats out" dielectric - aluminum oxide (presence of voltage rebuilds this layer). They dry out - especially when hot. Each 10 degC temperature increase cuts life of electrolytic cap by half. If you store gear in cool place caps should be good for 50 years, except for the breakdown voltage problem - that can be fixed by introducing voltage slowly. SMPS power supplies might not make it possible since some of them don't operate below certain supply voltage.
Do caps deteriorate with time even if an amp is not being used?
Recently I was considering purchasing an amp which was ten years old but had only been used for a couple of hundred hours before being put in climate controlled storage. I know capacitors will wear out over time, however if the unit is not in use does the mere passage of time have an effect on their efficacy and longevity??
Thanks for your thoughts on this...
Thanks for your thoughts on this...