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#1 2014-03-17 11:59:22
- oldsoul
- Member
- From: Long Island, NY
- Registered: 2014-03-17
- Posts: 12
VT-40 Coupling Caps
What brand coupling caps would you recommend to preserve original tone?
I just replaced all the electrolytics in my VT-40 but still here an occasional phasey white noise sound briefly and then it disappears. All the caps in the amp are original except for the electrolytics which I replaced. Wondering if orange drops, xicons, or solen, ect are best.
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#2 2014-03-17 21:56:35
- doug_olitsky
- Member
- From: Gold Coast, Long Island, NY
- Registered: 2009-02-19
- Posts: 45
- Website
Re: VT-40 Coupling Caps
I just overhauled my vt-22 (my second one) the job wrapped up last friday and now it is a beast.. connected to my 1st vt-22 via the ext amp connection connectedd are internal 2x10, one 4x10 and one 8x10. why? why not. had it all and wanted to try it all together.
I used Solens for those, I also changed a bunch of stuff that sees heavy use or has drifted... caps used Mallory 150, orange drops, Sprague Atoms. Resistors wirewound, metal oxide, metal film, and carbon film.
I have a spreadsheet of parts and pcb locations if you want it. I ordered from Tubes and more.
Basically I took out what folks say take a beating and some stuff as preventive since I was in there. Email me if you want it
Last edited by doug_olitsky (2014-03-17 21:57:35)
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#3 2014-03-18 11:55:51
- oldsoul
- Member
- From: Long Island, NY
- Registered: 2014-03-17
- Posts: 12
Re: VT-40 Coupling Caps
Thanks! I'm really looking for any info on how the differents brands and types affect the tone. I want to be faithfull to the original tone. I've used Xicons in vintage Scott stereo amplifiers before which seems to come close. Just wondering what others have experienced. I've heard Orange Drop 715s can be a bit bright.
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#4 2014-03-18 21:34:46
- doug_olitsky
- Member
- From: Gold Coast, Long Island, NY
- Registered: 2009-02-19
- Posts: 45
- Website
Re: VT-40 Coupling Caps
Where on LI are you... I'm Sea Cliff.
I did OJ's in an EICO st-70 and it sounded fine, also did a bunch of McIntosh gear, Fisher 400, my own 300b monos and a 12sn7 based pre.
I think other things would be more in play for tone than just the caps. Tubes, resistor replacement (carbon film, metal film, tant), speakers, and of course the player and his/her gear.
Caps in those values are cheap enough if you avoid the audiophool level stuff (wanna try some Mundorf!) I would get a bunch of flavors and try them.
You can get from parts express or tubes and more. You can even stop in on Elliot (http://www.zalytron.com/) in Mineola, they have axon/scr/solen (all same maker) in MPP and tin foil...
while your at it put some stand-offs in those positions and you can swap caps quickly. I did that for C3, 6, & 7 in my v4 and vt-22 so I can tweak the amp for bass or guitar.
here is some reading on caps from an "audiophile" slant
http://www.humblehomemadehifi.com/Cap.html
http://www.bext.com/replace.htm
http://www.vhaudio.com/21capacitorshootout.pdf
http://www.head-fi.org/t/284863/orgy-of … cap-thread
http://jimmyauw.com/tag/capacitor/
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