Albarry Caps ?

[Audio Al]

Hi

I had a problem with crackling with my Albarry AP4 , so had a peep inside and cleaned the mode selector switch with Deoxit

While inside I noticed some flats on the capacitor body's see images

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v240/bigboobs/IMG_2936.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/bigboobs/media/IMG_2936.jpg.html)
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http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v240/bigboobs/IMG_2937.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/bigboobs/media/IMG_2937.jpg.html)
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http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v240/bigboobs/IMG_2938.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/bigboobs/media/IMG_2938.jpg.html)

They are the same on both caps , do you think this is normal ? or should I replace them ?

Cheers :)

[istari_knight]

100% normal for Philips caps. They do look fairly old though [1991 date code ?] so it wouldn't hurt to get them replaced.

[Reffc]

Personally, I would leave them be. I have spoken at length to Neil about his Albarry designs and those caps are not operating at especially high temperatures or currents so will probably outlive us all! Neil says that his amps are maintenance free and should be very long lived indeed. The caps were specifically selected for that design and I doubt you'd get new replacements to the exact spec to match anyway. If the amp sounds ok now, I would leave them well alone. If there is crackling, it could also be anything from a dry solder joint to a switch that needs cleaning. I'd look at cleaning up switches before attempting to replace any components.;)

Edit...Sorry, I see that you have cleaned the switches!

[Ali Tait]

It's the magic smoke, it's got bored of being inside a can for so long.

[Audio Al]

OK that sounds good , I am just about to refit the unit and see if the crackling has gone after the switch clean

:)

[hifi_dave]

Exactly as Paul said, above. The caps do have 'flats' and they last for decades without trouble. Naim amps do require re-capping every ten years or so but not Albarry. The first pair I sold back in the very early 80s are still going strong. If they are working - leave well alone.

[Audio Al]

It's the magic smoke, it's got bored of being inside a can for so long.


Err :scratch:

Can I have some of what you have please :lol:

[Audio Al]

Switch clean successful , now as quiet as a mouse

Unit sounding as good as ever so will as suggested leave well alone :D

[brian2957]

Err :scratch:

Can I have some of what you have please :lol:

He doesn't need anything :lol:

[Marco]

Err :scratch:

Can I have some of what you have please :lol:

Ali’s right. It’s the same as having to deflate your car tyres every year or so, to get rid of the stale air…. Bit like with your head, Al! :D

Marco.

[Cotlake]

Caps that are bulging are the ones to be concerned about.

[Audio Al]

Bit like with your head, Al!

Marco , I have large quantity's of stale air , That comes out of a different orifice :eek:

[Ali Tait]

:lol: Aye, have to squeeze my head every time I go to the toilet.

[Marco]

Marco , I have large quantity's of stale air , That comes out of a different orifice :eek:

Ah, so that’s what the smell of drains was in your room at Scalford! :D

Marco.