Hi There...My homebuild stuff

[Erik van Voorst]

Elco's do deteriorate but "un-used" it takes a hell of a lot longer.

For instance I would change elco's after 10-15 years when they have been permanently on the grid (speaking from my own experience).

The exchange (say if you pick the same elco's) will result in a crispier "more alive" sound.

Mind you deterioration of an elco is a bit comparable with tubes.....you can change the item "any-time" it is a bit up to you and how "un-easy" you are with your sound.

I do not particularly "hunt" for NOS elco's since I believe that the newer ones are giving great sound as well. My personal favorites besides the unobtainable Blackgates are: Oscon, JJ, Elna and Jensen Silver Foil.

Maybe in your case the Jensen could be a lovely alternative.

The bigger Mallory was something like 20.000 uF/85V.

[Marco]

Hi Erik,

Thanks for that.

Elco's do deteriorate but "un-used" it takes a hell of a lot longer.

For instance I would change elco's after 10-15 years when they have been permanently on the grid (speaking from my own experience).

Yep, but how do you know exactly how old they are when you buy them?

Perhaps there is a production date code one can refer to? If they're 15 years old, or more, before you use them (as some NOS components are), then they may well already be past their 'sell by date', as it were...

I'm very interested in this matter, because I'm a fan of using some NOS components, such as tubes (as generally I prefer their sonic presentation over modern varieties), but if they've not been used then, unlike electrolytic capacitors, there is little deterioration.

However, I'd be uncomfortable using NOS capacitors if I couldn't guarantee that they were performing to their original specification, because when a power supply cap (for example) goes pop, it can cause quite a bit of damage to the equipment.

I just wondered if it was something you'd considered?

Mind you deterioration of an elco is a bit comparable with tubes.....you can change the item "any-time" it is a bit up to you and how "un-easy" you are with your sound.

I agree. I have the tubes I use measured periodically on a tester, but don't obsess with swapping them every 'five minutes' for fear that they're wearing out. Tube deterioration, in my experience, sonically, is very subtle and happens over a long period of time, particularly with NOS examples, as the materials used are usually much better than current production varieties.

When I buy NOS tubes, I'll only do so when the seller has provided accurate test measurements (and the measurements are good), but of course it's still a risk.

I do not particularly "hunt" for NOS elco's since I believe that the newer ones are giving great sound as well. My personal favorites besides the unobtainable Blackgates are: Oscon, JJ, Elna and Jensen (oil).

Maybe in your case the Jensen would be a lovely alternative.

Thanks for that, Erik. Do the Jensens go up to 550V? I'd be using these as power supply caps in a big Class A valve power amp

Marco.

[Erik van Voorst]

The NOS....they where my own...hahahahaha

Jensen 500V (IIRC)

[Marco]

Lol - is there no end to your talents?



Marco.

[Erik van Voorst]

I have dropped the Rubidium Adventure (for now) since no one on the fora answered questions...or gave advice...

Instead I am thrilled to bits at the moment with a new development for my Matriarch DAC-6.
I ordered this afternoon the 2 Silver Trafo's TRANS 404 from Audio Note.
This way I slowly but surely create my own Dac Signature

[flapland]

This so needs to be seen at the Wigwam show 2012. Lets start a fund to pay for the truck and ferry to get it there.

it would need a ground floor room though !!

And a room full of folk to carry it.

[synsei]

Dunno about the Wammer show, I wanna see and hear it at Scalford

[Tim]

Perhaps if Erik gives us his address we could pop over and pick it all up for him maybe when he's away, so as not to disturb him like.....

(just leave the door on the latch!!!)

[Reid Malenfant]

Dunno about the Wammer show, I wanna see and hear it at Scalford

Hifi Wigwam show 2011

[synsei]

Ah... I didn't realize it was a Wammer event