Leak 20 Work.

[southall-1998]

I honestly don't like the look of how these Paper in Oils were installed in my Leak 20. They don't look straight!

This work was done very recently!

What do you chaps think?

http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt104/TDL-STUDIO/IMG_0436_zps5c48e1a7.jpg

[southall-1998]

This is what the Leak looked like before.

http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt104/TDL-STUDIO/IMG_04141_zps35658354.jpg

[Audio Al]

But what does it sound like ?

[anthonyTD]

To Be honest,
the amp looked like it already had a set of decent caps fitted, unless there was a problem with them, why did you have them changed ? and i definitely wouldn't put PIO caps in as coupling as they have a tendency to leak DC, which in turn will alter the bias on the next stage.
All this is of course IMHO. :)
A...

[Jonboy]

As Anthony says Why fiddle unless there was problem to start with,

Mylar and oil caps are better and don't leak ( As used by Audio Note)

yes would agree the job looks a bit shoddy

But the million doller question is does it sound better ??

[Dingdong]

It might not be the tidiest job ever, but it's not bad. As long as the quality of the components is good then it's okay.
I'm not a massive fan of pio's.
I've got a pair of TL/12+ here for a light upgrade. They are having film caps in.

[Rare Bird]

At least the 100R/3W power resistor has been fitted properly.

[anthonyTD]

At least the 100R/3W power resistor has been fitted properly.

Yes, pretty crude, but never the less a good safety aspect as its meant to unsolder itself and drop off when excessive current is drawn through it!
A...

[southall-1998]

To Be honest,
the amp looked like it already had a set of decent caps fitted, unless there was a problem with them, why did you have them changed ? and i definitely wouldn't put PIO caps in as coupling as they have a tendency to leak DC, which in turn will alter the bias on the next stage.
All this is of course IMHO. :)
A...

The ''before'' caps are just bog standard polypropylene caps.

[southall-1998]

Will have a good listen to the Leak soon.

[simon e]

I'm in the process of fitting the same Russian PIO caps in my st20. These capacitor come highly recommended by the leak guys.

I'm only half way through the process but my ears it sounds better. Bass is improved but that probably due to the bigger smoothing caps and an extra 100uf under the chassis.

My thread is here theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?t=17346

[anthonyTD]

I'm in the process of fitting the same Russian PIO caps in my st20. These capacitor come highly recommended by the leak guys.

I'm only half way through the process but my ears it sounds better. Bass is improved but that probably due to the bigger smoothing caps and an extra 100uf under the chassis.

My thread is here theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?t=17346

As you say Simon,
the Russian PIO caps do tend to be very good, my advice though would be to keep an eye on the DC leakage from time to time.
A...

[simon e]

As you say Simon,
the Russian PIO caps do tend to be very good, my advice though would be to keep an eye on the DC leakage from time to time.
A...

Hi Anthony, thanks for the advice. I have noticed a little more hum when there is no input. But I was assuming that was caused by components which haven't been replaced yet having drifted out of tolerance.

I would like to try a fresh set of valves as well. I think the amp is still on it's original mullards.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk HD

[Lodgesound]

Looking at the pictures it looks electrically 100%...

What in particular is worrying you?

[walpurgis]

It sounded lovely when I heard it Shane.

I'd say stop worrying and leave it alone unless a problem arises. If you're really that bothered bring it round and I'll tidy up the soldering and straighten the wires so it looks neat.

[southall-1998]

It sounded lovely when I heard it Shane.

I'd say stop worrying and leave it alone unless a problem arises. If you're really that bothered bring it round and I'll tidy up the soldering and straighten the wires so it looks neat.

Let me know when your free. Maybe best to PM me.

[walpurgis]

I gave Shane's Leak Stereo 20 a tweak today, so he has it looking more the way he wanted. I just straightened out the components and wires and resoldered a few joints to make everything look symmetrical and a bit smarter.

After the tinkering we tried it in my system. It's a lovely valve power amplifier and I couldn't fault the sound. By vintage valve standards it is pretty exceptional, it has good grip and bass extension, the midrange is super open and detailed and the top end is as smooth and sweet as you could ask for.

Here are before and after thumbnails:

[Ali Tait]

Yes, they are nice IMHO. It's difficult not to do EL84's well, it's such a musical valve. If you like what the Leak does, look out for a WAD KEL 84, a great amp, and far less cost than a fettled ST 20.

[DSJR]

Too late for this one, but nowt wrong with "bog standard" polyprop caps if properly specified for the job and they usually last decades if not over-loaded.. I like the Stereo 20. Not much power but very funky sounding :)

[Ali Tait]

No there isn't, but some of the "booteek" ones can sound better, not to mention really good PIO's like AN coppers, or teflons like SCR et al. Can transform the sound of a valve amp IMHO.

[Reffc]

The ''before'' caps are just bog standard polypropylene caps.

But what do you think that PiO's will give you that Poly's don't? As Anthony says, PiO's have a tendency to leak DC and eventually just dry up or...leak! I doubt most people could tell the difference between a decent quality Polyprop of a similar rating to a PiO. Uprating the smoothing caps (irrespective of what you choose) may be beneficial but the designers specified what they did for good reason in most cases.