Obbligato caps / capacitance

[thomas27]

I'm thinking of replacing the crack output caps with film cap. Not expecting a massive difference in sound quality but I like the idea of keeping them in for the next 10-20+ years and not worry about them at all.

For about $100 I could get:
- 2x 100uF Obbligato Film Oil 400V
- 2x 47uF Obbligato Gold Premium 250V

With Senn HD650, cut-off frequencies would be 6Hz and 12.5Hz respectively (I would not use other headphones). 12.5Hz is perhaps slightly borderline (the v-cap website mentions potential "phase anomalies" close to cut-off frequency) but would that be compensated by the fact that the gold premium is slightly better sounding and that there would be less material in the signal path + presumably thinner dielectric?

I have read some very interesting stuff on the topic but I would be interested in hearing about your experience:
http://bottlehead.com/smf/index.php/topic,3736.msg33681.html#msg33681
http://bottlehead.com/smf/index.php/topic,526.60.html
http://www.v-cap.com/coupling-capacitor-calculator.php

Thanks a lot
Thomas

 

[Paul Birkeland]

A 100uF @ 400V film cap is going to be huge and pretty difficult to fit inside the amp.

You probably won't be bothered by the low frequency issues with the 47uF caps. 

 

[thomas27]

Thanks PB

The 100uF caps are indeed very large (2.6" D x 5.3" L) but they would still fit.

Would be interested in any feedback from Bottleheads!

 

[JamieMcC]

I Think you will struggle to get those big Obbligato Film Oils in also, lengthways wont be so much of a problem as width wise. The speedball boards will be the limiting factor.

Obbligato also do a 100uf PSU film cap that is a little smaller seem to recall a crack with one fitted but not sure.

 

[thomas27]

Sorry, should have mentioned that I'm using a Blumenstein base which has more real estate

 

[saildoctor]

I have some of those Obbligato Gold Premiums in my rig (not a headphone amp) and think they sound pretty nice.

 

[JamieMcC]

I had four Valab 47uf Fastpower's fitted in my Crack for a while there didn't seem to be any difference between running a pair of 47uf's  to a single 100uf each side. I believe from my  time spent perusing the bh forum that this would also half the ESR vs a single 100uf which is said to be good thing but as a newbi myself I have most probably got that wrong?

 

[2wo]

I have been very happy with Obbligatos. I would go for the gold 47's...John