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recapping crossovers....do or don't?

I need some advice....I have recapped several pieces of my system with good results. But I am really hesitant to do so with my outboard crossovers on my speakers. The reason is they sound wonderful.....very coherent,musical,and image beautifuly. You ask why look for trouble....well the crossovers use MIT multicaps which I think are fine...but there are about 4 Solens also. Solens have a soso reputation and are not known as a really hi quality cap.

Do you think there is anything to gain here or am I playing with fire....BTW these speakers have Dynaudio drivers and are about 94-96db efficient.
wavetrader

Showing 3 responses by dgarretson

dgarretson
2,609 posts
 
Which MIT caps are they? PPFXS sound better than PPMFX. As an interim step, consider experimenting with small bypass using .1uf or .22uf Russian FT-3 telfon available cheap on ebay. Also, it's worth trying Duelund graphite resistors in key positions-- probably a bigger improvement than a coupling cap upgrade.
dgarretson
2,609 posts
 
IME MIT/Multicap PPFXS tin foil sound much better than the PPMFX metalized prop caps that rate poorly in Shadorne's URL. PPMFX were widely used by ARC and others circa mid '90s, but have a hard unsupple sound in the presence region and above that you don't want in a coupling or crossover cap. MIT/Multicap RTX styrene caps are still in great favor among many DIYers for bypass applications.
dgarretson
2,609 posts
 
Wavetrader, before going for expensive Duelund or V-Cap TFT bypass I would first try some cheap russian FT-1 or FT-3 teflon in .01uf & .1uf and decide whether bypass is a net improvement at either of these values. If true, then sub in Duelund or V-Cap in equivalent values. If false, then sub in Duelund or Claritycap MR at full value of stock PPFXS.
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