| When to Recap? [message #66657] |
Mon, 14 March 2011 19:10  |
Adveser
Messages: 434
Registered: July 2009
Location: USA
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Illuminati (1st Degree) |
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As some of the regulars may be aware of, I have a 20 year old pair of loudspeakers.
After doing some reading and discovering my past belief that capacitors last "for life" is somewhat incorrect and that they lose 50% of their ability. (I think the wiki page is referring to it's tolerance) I have started to worry that it is time to recap the crossover network.
I have a couple questions if anyone knows the answers:
1. Do I have to recap speaker crossovers every decade or so or on a timeframe?
2. Is the "condition" of the capacitor relevant to a speaker crossover and the performance of the speaker?
3. Is the cap's performance dependent upon the amount of current going through it? I ask because I have 240watt speakers and an amp that is operating at no more than 25watts. It would hardly be worth it if I am not driving the speakers anywhere close to their limits if that is the only time it would matter.
I know a lot of you know a lot about crossovers. I don't know much more than how they work. Personally I am only concerned with the caps operating as intended and am not really interested in upgrading to better quality components. I may upgrade to a "precision cap" if such thing exists, but I was advised by my college prof. not to buy the hype regarding gold caps and that sort of thing.
http://adveser.webs.com/
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| Re: When to Recap? [message #66677 is a reply to message #66657] |
Tue, 15 March 2011 21:31  |
Adveser
Messages: 434
Registered: July 2009
Location: USA
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Illuminati (1st Degree) |
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That's all I need to know then. Electrolytic caps suck and mine has them. Mine aren't leaking at all, but their age is a problem.
Thanks Wayne. looks like that is the next step in making my stereo sound better. It's a cheap fix too.
http://adveser.webs.com/
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| Re: When to Recap? [message #66729 is a reply to message #66681] |
Mon, 21 March 2011 20:53 |
AudioFred
Messages: 377
Registered: May 2009
Location: Houston
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Illuminati (1st Degree) |
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Replacing the electrolytics on vintage speakers will almost always improve the sound. Like Wayne said, you don't need to use botique caps. I've found Dayton caps from Parts Express are very attractively priced, and they sound about as good as Solens or Jantzens. The poly caps will be quite a bit larger than the equivalent value electrolytics and may not fit in the same space on the circuit board, so you may have to attach them with short lengths of insulated wire and secure them with wire ties.
http://www.parts-express.com/dayton-metallized-capacitors.cfm
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