In Reply to: RE: 15uF ... main bypass cap value for SE amplifiers posted by deathtube 667 on February 3, 2022 at 16:47:25:
I wouldn't get too anal about a given cathode
bypass value for SE.Remember, what counts the most is the final
sound quality VS total reliability. Both are
accomplished in the SAME DESIGN.This double-requirement must change with what
ONE CAN BUY in order to get it accomplished.WIMA made it practical to use values larger than
15UF on a 2A3 cathode, and still get speed, detail, and
wide bandwidth. Those caps are designed as a
stack-up of flat plates, and DO NOT behave like
cylindrical capacitors, which tend to "tune" at
certain frequencies, according to their length VS
diameter ratios, far worse than flat-plates do..Flat plates are far more linear in Frequency
response, and the best WIMA's are as good as
Dynamicaps or Mundorf Silver-Oils, in overall
transparency, bandwidth and speed. What this means
is that now, you can go up to 50UF instead of 15UF,
if you want to or need to.Somebody is going to wonder-- why not use the
same Wima in a 20UF or, maybe a 35UF? (for some
purpose or other). It's a good question-- it deserves an
answer: The answer is all cap manufacturers make caps
that sound like junk, and some that really perform.
You won't know what they are until you've used a given
one in a variety of uses. In this case, the 20UF and the
35UF-- by comparison to the stellar 15UF-- the 20 and the
30 or 35 just don't cut it-- oh, they're OK, but so are
lots of others. The moral is-- when a company turns out
something that is really good, then find a way to use THAT!Let's say both GOOD quality values are WIMAS-- with like
construction. Both will require the usual bypassing.
Sonically, the 15UF is still superior to the 50UF, but
not by enough to scare you out of the 50UF.OK, now we have a new world! Put in the 50UF, and
work-out a whole new set of bypasses for IT.This has been done over the last 5 years or so, on all
our newer amps. Any that land here for a check-up get
upgraded automatically for no extra charge.What is the advantage? NONE, sonically-- they're both great.
But if you want bigger bottom-end (if your speaker sensitivity
is a bit marginal), now you have it. If your speaker is both
superb and very sensitive, then stick with the tried and true
15UF-- one of WIMA's best sounding caps-- ever.-Dennis-
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Follow Ups
- RE: 15uF ... main bypass cap value for SE amplifiers - tube wrangler 02/4/2211:41:05 02/4/22 (1)
- RE: 15uF ... main bypass cap value for SE amplifiers - rage 14:07:13 02/4/22 (0)