Power supply caps


OK, I'm not trying to start an all amps sound alike type thing, but I would like to know if anyone has actually heard this. Not theory or speculation, but actually replaced caps on their equipment.

Will upgrading/replacing old caps in a phono pre-amp's separate power supply have any effect on sound? I'm getting ready to recap my 20+ year old phono pre and wonder if the caps in the power supply should be run of the mill or high quality? If they make a difference, then fine, but if the PS caps won't have an effect on sound, I don't want to waste the money.

Thanks for the help.
128x128mrvordo

Showing 3 responses by jjrenman

I have upgraded the caps in my previos phono preamp. I had already upgraded the op amps, resistors, coupling caps and regulators. So I can definitively speak to the effect of just changing power supply caps.

In my case the backround got blacker as in the very low level detail was not lost or masked in the backround noise.

Also, the high frequencies lost an annoying zingyness. It was like I had changed from an agressive metal dome tweeter to a smoother silk dome type.

In my case the existing caps were very cheap and I replaced them with Blackgates.

I will also conceed that I may not have heard much of a difference if I had not already upgraded virtually everything else in the circuit.

Ofcourse, YMMV
Try Michael Percy Audio. He shows tow out of the three. Also has a 4700uf 63 VDC which will work fine.

No affiliation, just always received great service.
Michael Percy has the Nichicon.

And as stated in my first post two of the three are exact matches. The third is a 63v rating insted of a 50v.