Obbligato.. Solen.. or Mundorf MKP? 250v or 400v?

[matthewmckay]

I have just finished applying the speedball to my crack... (sounds weird) and I wanted to pick up some 100uf capacitors for it.  I know that the obbligato 400v seem to be a popular choice for this application, at $39 a piece, and I also see that mundorf has an MKP series 100 uf as well, at $48 a piece for the 250v version and $53 for the 400v.  A third alternative I have found are the Solen caps.  Also, is a 250v rating going to be high enough, or is it better to go with a 400v or above rating? 

Does anyone have experience cap rolling with their speedballed crack that could help my selection process out.  I don't mind paying more for the mundorfs, if their performance is worth the extra dough, but I currently lack the funds to buy all three and do my own experimenting.

I am also using the MB quart qp400 headphones right now ($99).

 

[Laudanum]

250V is fine, I think it's been stated that anything over 160V is fine.  I'm using the 250V Mundorf MKP's.  Another option is the 91uf Axon, less expensive than Solen, probably the same caps.  Also Erse has a 100uf for around 20 bucks if memory serves, direct from Erse.  The Mundorf MKP's are nice sounding caps and they fit   but I cant afford to roll 100uf film caps either so ... happy with the Mundorfs.  The stock electrolytics really arent bad.  To my ear, the Mundorfs are a bit more detailed and cleaner sounding than the stock electrolytics.  A good, basic MKP.  It was well worth the upgrade IMHO. I got lucky and grabbed them when they were a bit less at PC ...  10% or 20% sale.  Michael Percy has the 91uf Axons if you go that route.

 

[berniebanks]

I used the Mundorf 100uf 250v M Caps in mine tight squeeze with speedball but fit nicely. More detail and tighter bass than the stock caps to my ears.

I put them in as my first upgrade before adding the speedball. I am not sure if you will notice the same sonic gain by adding after the speedball as that alone is a huge step up.

 

[berniebanks]

Here's a pic of my installation.

 

[jrihs]

Hi berniebanks, Whats the black cap in the power chain? Hooked to terminals 13 & er... 15? was that a worthy upgrade too? Is that instead of a choke?
Thanks...

 

[berniebanks]

Its a solen 2.2uf  cap  used as a bypass on the last cap of he power supply, I think it added a bit more clarity. The speedball makes the biggest improvement though.

 

[jrihs]

Thanks, Is it replcing a resistor on those terminals? just installed the speedball and am poised to go "all the way with a choke and big caps". Am looking forward to further experimentation...

 

[berniebanks]

No it does not replace the resistor

 

[Laudanum]

That cap is just a bypass cap on the last electrolytic in the PS.  I ended up using a 2.2uf Panasonic MKP as I didnt have one of the appropriate  "audio" caps at the time.  I did try a few lower value caps marketed for the audio market.  I never bothered to replace it, the Panny is a decent cap and for the purpose it serves, I dont think something like a Solen or Mundorf MKP will make much difference there.  Regardless,  I did pick up a Mundorf 2.2uf MKP to replace it with during a Seduction and FPIII parts order.  Figured I would match my output caps but havent yet got out the iron for it.  I too think that the bypass cap added just a tiny bit of clarity to the high end.  Maybe more like cleaning up a small amount of trevle "hash".  But it was very subtle and I couldnt swear by it.  Which is probably why I havent been in a rush to change it.

 

[Grainger49]

Constant current sources will give isolation from the power supply.  So improvements in the power supply have less effect after the installation of the plate load C4S circuits.  That isn't to say no improvement, the Eros seems to improve with a choke replacing the resistor in the Pi filter.

 

[jrihs]

Bernie, Laudanum, Grainger...thanks for the great info guys...I am always a bit squeamish to ask dumb questions but you all really make it fun and I learn so much. As amazingly good that the assembly instructions are, I do wish they described just a little bit more about what each step is actually doing and electrical theory. Not a criticism of BH at all, just a regret of my own ignorance and a desire to know more. My Profession is hydrology/geology, so I must rely on the kindness of strangers for the time being!

 

[berniebanks]

I'm also dumb, so like am having a bit of a steep learning curve as well.

 

[jrihs]

Whoa! I never said I was dumb, well ok...maybe...but only that the question may have been! Think I'll flip the record now...

 

[langendorf]

I have orderet a set from this seller http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-Solen-Fast-Cap-100-mfd-uF-capacitors-NEW-lot-4-/180761925714?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2a16401852


I dont know if it is possible to compare sound charistics when they are used ind a crossover and ind electronics?? But here are some info that might be usefull http://www.humblehomemadehifi.com/Cap.html

 

[matthewmckay]

sweet website...  I decided to be a cheap-ass, for now, and do a little experimenting with bypassing the stock electrolytics. I purchased these from parts express for ~ $18.

2 x  Solen 1.0uF 400V Polypropylene Capacitor

2 x  Audiocap PPT Theta 0.01uF 600V Film/Foil Capacitor


I read something about "cascade bypassing" for speaker crossovers, sometimes resulting in better top to bottom coherence than a single bypass alone.  claiming that "that best results with crossovers are usually obtained by bypassing in a ratio of 1/100 the desired value of the cap to be bypassed, with the progressively smaller caps having progressively higher voltage ratings."  I am sure that this is not a general rule and would be more favorable in certain applications than others, but for $18, I thought I would give it a try before pulling the trigger on some big 100 uf film caps.  If the experiment proves favorable, I envision trying it again at some point with the 100uf obligatos, bypassed with some ampohm polyester in oil 1uf caps that the humble hifi website reviewed so positively... holy mother of god are they expensive though.. maybe I'll just try the .01uf instead.

 

[langendorf]

Hi Matt

It will be interesting to hear your experience with bypasing. But i dont get why you wouldnt just order the solen from ebay. The caps you ordered are almost half the price. Sometimes its cheaper, to spend alittle more, one time, than cheap twice But if its just for good fun and testing, then thumps up

 

[matthewmckay]

So I just finished scouring ebay and I have no Idea what Solen caps you are referring to...  Could you post the link ? 

I see several listings for 47uf caps, and one listing for a single, used, 150uf cap...  nothing in the 100uf range.  the 100uf film power supply caps are usually in the $30-$45 range (parts express has them for $38), per cap, which is a little beyond the $9.60 I spent for the pair of audiocap theta and $4.40 i spent on the pair of solens. (+ $4 shipping on the order)

When I decide to buy the 100uf film, I can further experiment by using these little caps in another bypass application (speaker crossover, seduction, quickie, amps...) so im not at too much a loss with the current frugality..

I also just like to tinker with shit.. and good fun is definately on the agenda.  ; )

 

[Noskipallwd]

You might want to look at the Axon true caps, these are made by Solen but usually cheaper, I used them in one of my amps and was happy with the sound. You can pick them up at Michael Percy or Parts Connex. I have to say that I have found Obbligatos to be the best bang for buck.

Cheers,
Shawn P.

 

[Laudanum]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-Solen-Fast-Cap-100-mfd-uF-capacitors-NEW-lot-4-/180761925714?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2a16401852

Langendorf provided the link on page 1.   Listing is ended now however.  I was a great deal ... 42 bucks for 2 X 100uf Solens.   $21 each, free ship, pretty good!

 

[Grainger49]

You can go there and send a message to the seller.  If that link isn't on a completed auction, look at the "other items" link and ask him from one of those if he has other Solen Fast Caps.