Electro vs Non-electro Caps

[C Moore]

Is it OK to substitute a non-electrolytic cap for an electrolytic? I am thinking of a by-pass cap for example. Could you substitute a non-electro in that position?
Thank You

[tweedeluxe]

yep, as long as the voltage rating is high enough.

[jelle]

It will sound different. maybe even better!

It all depends on your taste. If you use tantalums, note the polarity.

Have fun!

jelle

[Structo]

Here is the article showing how to replace the electrolytics with film caps.

Can someone tell me if this is feasible or if it is bogus.

Apparently from what he is saying, you can replace all the E caps with these film caps and they will last forever.

http://www.premierguitar.com/Magazine/I ... _Pt_4.aspx

[ampdoc1]

Everything I've read from Keen seems like he is a very knowledgeable guy.

ampdoc

[John_P_WI]

Tom,

Yes, it is possible. KOC explained this way back in the 90's using Solens caps. I have done this entirely in the pre-amp sections too. The poly caps are larger, faster, and more transparent, which brings out a brighter tone. Great for Fenders, not so great for Marshalls in my experience. The upside is they last nearly for ever.

The also seem a little brighter when used on the pre amp cathodes too.

John

[Andy Le Blanc]

Ive seen then used in parallel with both electrolytics in power supplies and
bypass caps on the cathode..... mostly with pre amps..... phono pre's
they work...... bring out the transients.... clarity of the sound stage....presentation.....etc....
overly brite when used in a guitar amp.... use them to taste

[billyz]

Conrad Johnson and other Hifi Amplifiers don't use any Electrolytics anywhere in their Amps. The Caps are all custom made Polystyrene caps.
I can tell you they sound fantastic. But they are Hi FI, not a lo fi guitar amp.

http://www.positive-feedback.com/Issue34/cj_art3.htm

[fishy]

Looks like its Teflon your paying for now in CJ gear and they are not cheap
The link suggest they are $240 a piece...ouch!

[jaysg]

I intend to use a Solens the next time I lay out a fixed bias circuit from scratch. Had an Atom fail and it caused a wee bit of redplating...

[FunkyE9th]

I was looking into ordering the Solens until AES sent me the dimensions, can't fit in my 2" high chassis. I suppose I can mount it on top of the chassis, but I wanted to keep things simple. Maybe I'll still try it....

[Alexo]

I have a couple of those 47uf Solens. I can't find anything to fit them in and I don't even know how I'd mount them if I did. I honestly couldn't imagine how big they were until I held them in my hand, darn close to beer can sized.

Supposedly you can get the same auditory effect by placing a smaller Solen in parallel with an electro at a value ratio of 1:100, but then you don't get the effect of immortal filter caps that you would if you relied exclusively on Solens.

[billyz]

Hi fi nerds have been bypassing the electrolytics with small value poly caps for years. Something about speeding up the response time and time/phase alignment. Multi cap claimed to have essentially made a paralleled cap to be an improved version of the bypass idea. Some guys are using multiple bypass caps in all positions as well, I.E. coupling . You could follow a Fibonacci proportion or golden ratio to determine the values. I used to implement Hi fi ideas into my amps and did like some of the results , especially the clean sounds. But for the classic blues /rock tones I find I prefer the nonlinear, less sophisticated, circuitry.

[Andy Le Blanc]

Ive had the same experience with many Hi-Fi approaches.....
the place where they do pay off is with bass amps and pre's.....
its an amp to a differnt purpose..... where a guitar amp uses the whole amp
to make tone, a bass or even a keyboard or pedalsteel amp has a Hi-fi
requirement and can benifit from that approach...

[modern]

Andy,

Consider this an intervention.

I think you have been overusing and abusing elipsis "...".