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upgrading speaker crossovers

I have a pair of PSB Stratus Gold'is and I am thinking of upgrading the crossovers, I am going to try this before I think about buying new speakers., which are in the area of $10000. The crossover in a speaker consists of 1-2.5mf 440vac film and 1- 6mf 440vac film by RC. then I have 4 100mf 100vac electrolytics. Why are the elecrolytics there, is this because of cost? I would much rather put in polys in their place, which will cost me $30.00 each. So my question is are the elecrolytics there because of cost issues if so can I change them to ploys?

My equipment consists of conrad johnson PV14l tubed preamp and a conrad johnson MF2500 amp. Both are right now at cj to be upgraded, the preamp is also getting teflon caps. I also have a pair of Mirage M1;s that I have upgraded with SI tweeters and Woofers. Must have gotten the last ones from them because now they will not even talk to you about the speaker when you call.

Anyway any advise on upgrading the crossovers would be greatly appreciated.
jchristilles
jchristilles OP
9 posts
 
The two film caps I replaced were small in size and said RC on them. There were only two films per crossover, the rest are electrolytic caps and to change them over to film would be a hastle since the electrolytics are Radials and the fims are axial, very tight. Still breaking in the new caps and now that I have my new turntable I am spinning vinyl again!

Still thinking if I should change the electrolytics or not.
face
516 posts
 
Still thinking if I should change the electrolytics or not.
I would. Unless you have a very large value, not enough space, or are on a strict budget, they don't belong in speaker crossovers.
jchristilles OP
9 posts
 
The electrolytics in question are 100mfd caps and are radial caps, the film caps are axial and are much bigger, so I dont know if I have the room to fit them. I can always take another look to see if it is possible to change them and if I can come up with a way to make them fit.
johnk's avatar
johnk
1,975 posts
 
Many times iron core inductors are chosen for a reason. And the higher saturation of the iron core is factored into design. If one uses a aircore you reduce power handling and can raise SPL of woofer due to less insertion loss of the aircore which still has insertion loss just less of it.Another reason why just blindly parts swapping in networks can be a bad idea..
hoang35
3 posts
 
Jchristilles ! How's your Goldi now ? Better sounding ? I got a pair of Goldi too and would like to upgrade caps like you.
I think PsB is "audiophile speakers at affordable price" so i don't think Paul Barton would use exotic components . Business is business , rite ?
Ps : can i have the link to the store that you buy the M-cap pls , really cant find any caps with 6mfd and 2.5mfd . Thx
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