Speaker XO cap values

[Wakefield Turntables]

Hi,

Just a quickie. I'm sourcing a few ECap mundorf caps for these Heybrooks I'm using in my 3rd system. Some of the cap values are not exact i.e. I need a couple of 4uF caps at 50V but can only find 3.9uf @ 70V will this have a massive impact on the sonics, or is it ok to replace the caps with the closest values and a slightly higher or lower voltage spec?

Thanks

A

PS sorry if this sounds a little mundane, I'm still learning!

[Reffc]

Hi,

Just a quickie. I'm sourcing a few ECap mundorf caps for these Heybrooks I'm using in my 3rd system. Some of the cap values are not exact i.e. I need a couple of 4uF caps at 50V but can only find 3.9uf @ 70V will this have a massive impact on the sonics, or is it ok to replace the caps with the closest values and a slightly higher or lower voltage spec?

Thanks

A

PS sorry if this sounds a little mundane, I'm still learning!

It wont have a massive effect as the originals were probably only +/- 20% in many cases! The Mundorfs are 5% tolerance, so I'd use a 3.9 and not worry about it.

[Ali Tait]

Will be fine, there is a 5% tolerance anyway. Higher voltage will be fine too, I wouldn't go for a lower voltage than the original though.

[Ali Tait]

Snap. :-)

[Wakefield Turntables]

Thanks. I'm shocked by the 5% tolerance levels! But I suppose when your paying pennies for caps you cant expect too much.

[Ali Tait]

Even pricey caps are 5%.

[ScottL]

And there are a few even pricier ones that are +/- 10%. ;)

[Reffc]

Thanks. I'm shocked by the 5% tolerance levels! But I suppose when your paying pennies for caps you cant expect too much.

5% is quite normal. For very closely matched drive units/loudspeakers, batches at 5% or 10% can have caps hand selected for closer matching to 1% if needed. You normally pay a premium for hand matching. Most decent quality caps these days for crossover use will be to 3% which is plenty tight enough for capacitors. Resistors I usually hand select to 1%.

As Scott says, there are some brands (and here no names mentioned ;) ) that charge a premium for their brand name and their caps are only rated at 10%

[Wakefield Turntables]

Well I suppose I cant complain. The eCaps have cost less than than the 2 charcroft resistors I've ordered for the paradise phonostage :eek:

[Ali Tait]

You could ask for matched caps if you wish, will cost more though.

[Wakefield Turntables]

You could ask for matched caps if you wish, will cost more though.

OK, yep, maybe for next time.