Rookie; replace my own amplifier caps??


Hi. I am mechanically oriented generally, and I have a knack for fixing things. I am decent with a soldering iron, and I understand the concept of "wicking" away old solder to replace a part. I love DIY projects. I have no, I say again no, training in electronics whatsoever, however. I am told that my 2001 Odyssey Audio Stratus Plus (120,000 uF capacitance) solid-state amp (I love it) likely needs cap replacements. I understand that "preventative" cap replacement is a hotly debated topic within itself; assume for my question the amp needs cap replacement. Is it likely that I could order a bucketload of Blackgate (or higher quality) caps of the correct values from PartsXpress and succesfully complete this project on my own? (Yes, I would unplug the amp) Thanks!
klipschking

Showing 2 responses by magfan

Forming new caps? I think there is something to that.
All my photo flash gear (studio and on-camera) recommend a few low power flashes to 'form' the caps. This is brand new stuff.

Also, on the hi-fi note, my Maggies when right-out-of-box were not right. I don't mean tight drivers or poor extension. I mean that for the 1st 10 to 20 hours...and less as time went on...the image would drastically shift from side-to-side and perhaps shimmer, if that's the right word. It was, in a word, weird.
I can only blame the crossover caps.
I'd say that .....guess?....the voltage rating of caps, the punchthru voltage, is based simply on type and thickness of the dialectric. 'x' # of volts per 'mil' of whatever material?