Seeking recommendations for cap upgrade to solve harshness

loadexfa

New member
I recently finished building a Crack (my first build) and everything works great! I upgraded the output caps to ASC 60uF 500Vdc LTI 4-5 Series Metalized Polypropylene.
The ASCs have great clarity and resolution but also have too much glare. I know burn-in should help but would still like to explore other options to be sure. Does anyone have any recommendations for output caps that are more smooth? Ideally I'd want full bodied, lush, and smooth. I know there are trade offs and I can live with losing some of the clarity and resolution that I'm enjoying with the ASCs.

I've already done some tube rolling which has helped but there is still some persistent glare.

Thank you!
 
I tried some "upgrade" caps in my Crack amp but ultimately went back to the stock electrolytic capacitors. What kind of headphones are you using?
 
ZMF Atticus and Auteur Classic as well as Sennheiser HD 6XX and HD 800. Most of my testing yesterday was with the Atticus and 6XX.
 
Glare could also be a result of cold solder joints or deviations from the intended layout causing unintended consequences.
 
How much listening did you do to the standard build before you started making changes to the excellent original design? That is always recommended.
 
Deluk said:
How much listening did you do to the standard build before you started making changes to the excellent original design? That is always recommended.
I admit, not much.

ALL212 said:
Check your build first but Mundorf always seemed to warm thinks up for me.
Thanks for the recommendation.

With stock caps the glare is gone. Perhaps I'll leave it alone for a bit, the stock Crack does sound good.
 
Back
Top