The comment above assumes that the plastic around an electrolytic capacitor is an integral part of the design and is used to damp vibrations. Given that 99% of capacitors found in high-end equipment are also used in computers, calculators, VCR's, etc, where "good sound" is not an issue, I really doubt this is true. Besides, how much engineering do you think goes into a run-of-the-mill $.15 capacitor?
The way I see it, the plastic shrink wrap serves two purposes, one, to act as a "billboard" to display the type and size of the capacitor and a clear way to deliniate the negative lead, and two, as an insulator to reduce the possibility of other leads in the circuit shorting against the aluminum can.
I have removed the plastic from capacitors in the PS of both amp and pre, as well as all plastic from the digital caps in my CD sources, and feel it is a worthwhile tweak. I attribute the increase in bloom and resolution a product of eliminating both the dielectric effect and a potential source of static charge (plastic).
For what its worth, all the capacitors in 47 Lab gear are "naked".
The way I see it, the plastic shrink wrap serves two purposes, one, to act as a "billboard" to display the type and size of the capacitor and a clear way to deliniate the negative lead, and two, as an insulator to reduce the possibility of other leads in the circuit shorting against the aluminum can.
I have removed the plastic from capacitors in the PS of both amp and pre, as well as all plastic from the digital caps in my CD sources, and feel it is a worthwhile tweak. I attribute the increase in bloom and resolution a product of eliminating both the dielectric effect and a potential source of static charge (plastic).
For what its worth, all the capacitors in 47 Lab gear are "naked".