715P caps a big no no?

[adamsapple]

I'm scratch building an ODS and am in the middle of ordering parts. I've got a whole bunch of 715P caps laying around, question is are these caps really that bad? or should i just order up the 6PS's?

[jaysg]

If you want the best results, order the 6PS or try the Xicon MPP, which is available from mouser.

[briane]

well its pretty much taken around here that the 716/600v are holy grail...

That said I have used a few of the 715 in builds with good results. I tend to only use them further down the signal path, towards the PI, And always have 716's in the pre....

That said, used sparingly your probably alright, just not holy....Build it so you can swap em out later on and hear a difference (or not).

I think 715's used exclusively might not be so great though its really a matter of taste.

[talbany]

The 715's can be a bit grainy in the mids a top-end.. Though I've seen of some ODS's that have them in there..I have to say that some of the earlier D-style amps I've built Non HRM's using these didn't sound bad and others that did which leads me to believe that the quality control on these caps are all over the place... If you are going to spend the time and energy into building one of these amps go the extra 3 ft and use the PS's...They seem to be a more consistent sounding cap...The MPP's to me are a smooth cap they just don't seem to have the big open midrange tone the PS's carry..In that is a matter of taste..To me the nice open mids is where most of the audiable harmonics are lurking..The PS's just exploit it...




Tony VVT

[Colossal]

Hi guys,

While we're on the subject, I have a similar question on cap choice for an ODS: I've seen Series 225 orange drops (Sprague) and Cornell-Dubilier (Mallory) PVC orange drops in ODSs as well. Are these good choices in addition to the Sprague 6PS?

Thanks!
Dave

[Structo]

I thought the general consensus was that the polyester caps sounded the best in D clone amps?

The 600v polyester is what I thought most used in the ODS.

They are supposedly a bit grainier in tone rather than the smoother polypropylene?

[adamsapple]

My Boogie MKiv is chock full of 715P's by the way, flame on!! I know that Cesar Diaz would change out all the blue molded caps in SRV's vibroverb's to change the tone, anyone know if they were 715/716's or were they the PS series? Also anyone try Sozo's in their ODS builds? I've got a bunch of them around too.

[heisthl]

I've experimented with the SOZO's, good for the bass cap and the 2 couplers, PS is better everywhere else, especially in the OD section.
If you only care about clean tone SOZO everywhere, expecially in Fender circuits. JMHO

[stubbyfex]

Hello!
My favorite caps are the Sozo ones. They are more "clear" sounding to me. One of the best ways to audition different caps is with a single ended amp, or should I say a "simple" one. I have a hi-fi design that uses an SRPP preamp with one coupling cap into a single 6L6 tube. The idea here is to switch different caps into the circuit and listen to the change. If there is only One cap, then it is quite obvious what the tonal differences are. If the amp has 12 or so caps like the typical Fender, then it is more difficult to hear the difference in cap choices. I also use the 715P and 716P (High Performance Series). Here are three data sheets on the 715P, 716P and the PS series.

[heisthl]

Hello!
My favorite caps are the Sozo ones. They are more "clear" sounding to me.

You are correct they are more "clear" sounding.
Play a D style amp with PS series, listen for a week, change to all sozo's listen for a week. Go back to the PS series because the amp sounds way better. If you do the same thing with a Fender you'll stick with the sozo's.
The D style amps thrive on grainy treble and smooth focused mids - hard to get with Sozo's. The sozo caps seem to remove the complexity (junk) in the D style overdrive tone and that's what gives it it's mojo.
Again JMHO

[Colossal]

Here are three data sheets on the 715P, 716P and the PS series.

Stubby, thanks for the data sheets!

You are correct [Sozos] are more "clear" sounding. Play a D style amp with PS series, listen for a week, change to all sozo's listen for a week. Go back to the PS series because the amp sounds way better. If you do the same thing with a Fender you'll stick with the sozo's. The D style amps thrive on grainy treble and smooth focused mids - hard to get with Sozo's. The sozo caps seem to remove the complexity (junk) in the D style overdrive tone and that's what gives it it's mojo.
Again JMHO

Heisthl, these are just the kind of specifics I am looking for. I'll stick with the 6PS for a Dumble build. FWIW, I have Sozos in my Plexi build while it has a decidedly Marshall characteristic to the overall flavor and sounds great, there is almost a Fenderish "cleanliness" to it that I did not expect. Perhaps I'll try another board in the Plexi using 6PS throughout and see what happens?

Thanks,
Dave

[talbany]

You are correct they are more "clear" sounding.
Play a D style amp with PS series, listen for a week, change to all sozo's listen for a week. Go back to the PS series because the amp sounds way better. If you do the same thing with a Fender you'll stick with the sozo's.
The D style amps thrive on grainy treble and smooth focused mids - hard to get with Sozo's. The sozo caps seem to remove the complexity (junk) in the D style overdrive tone and that's what gives it it's mojo.
Again JMHO

I have seen the inside of Stevie's famed Vibroverb... the one with the EVL and larger Iron... The only place there were ODps in it were grid couplers and negative feedback side of the PI..the rest were the Blue Bullets..

I used the Sozos all the way around in a 100w HRM w/Marshall NS Iron...I agree the amp didn't have the same snarly breakup in OD!!!
to me that growl is a big part of the Dumble personality.. I thought the Sozo's were Cool just not as expressive in that re guard..
The 225's don't seem to have as much grain as the 715...sort of in between the 715 and PS.. in a pinch I would use them...
The Mallory 150's gives you a kind of scooped tone and adds a little sponge to the tone stack.. A smooth cap and tames the snarl much more than the Sozo's..

Speaking of Mesa Boogies.. I tried some of those brown resistors they use in a build way back (Name escapes me) and was shocked!!! at how really bad they sounded..WOW!!!

Tony VVT

[Richie]

funny i never see anyone use the sprague 192 polyester series, they are orange,and round.. nice caps. they come in all the values..and quite a few voltages.. the 6ps and 225 are also good.. not a fan of the 715..

[tubedogsmith]

The 192's work good in guitars.

[jelle]

Anyone used the DME series? Available via Mouser.

Jelle