Devin - Thiel crossover schematics state the max tolerance of each cap. Some are 5%, some 10%. Among the strategies, I prefer to try for close to equal values when splitting. I've learned end-reversal via trials. E-caps are fundamentally symmetrical, but in fact the small differences, including lead-wire directionality, are audible and supported in the measurements. Music signal is AC, so optimizing for either direction produces mixed results; splitting directionality is always superior.
By the way, Thiel's long-term cap brand was Solen. Their house sound is somewhat dark and smooth. We later went to ERSE for a more neutral, open signature. When they became unavailable, M.D.L (Taiwan) was chosen. and the final FST (China) cap was CYC. I use M.D.L from Madisound for classic late-Thiel signature.
My new layouts honor propagation waveform integrity. When splitting any cap, build a bundle that makes sense. If 3 caps, I build a triangle separated by cork pads, with the 1uF bypass in the middle of the bottom row. Air circulates through the whole stack. A unified field is floated around the 4 cap bundle. Trials prove this arrangement superior to other layouts. By the way in series feeds, the yellow 1uF Thiel bypass cap is replaced with our new multi-sectioned cap with multiple coaxial windings that start around 0.015uF and add up to the target value. Those will be available in 2025.
