[Syzygies]

The largest electrolytic caps that fit in PIMETA positions C2, C3 are generally 12.5 x 25 mm, and one generally needs 25V or higher. I've given up on squeezing into a Hammond J12 case, the K12 gives me much more room to play with attenuator, charger experiments, so these are the constraints I'm shopping. I'm sure many others end up in the same boat.

I've looked through old threads and searched the web, in preparation for buying a few sets. Here is my survey; I'll edit this in response to any replies that follow:

Black Gate FK 220uF 25V 12.5 x 25
$9.50, Michael Percy Audio, http://www.percyaudio.com/
http://www.machmat.com/sales/capabg.htm
http://www.audiocominternational.com...uct.asp?P_ID=5
http://www.partsconnexion.com/catalo...ctrolytic.html
http://www.thlaudio.com/bgcapitme.htm
Discontinued, buy now or never.

Elna Silmic II RFS 330uF 25V 12.5 x 25
2.46 Euro, Audio Cube, http://www.audio-cube.nl/elna.htm

Elna Cerafine 470uF 25V 12.5 x 25
2.64 Euro, Audio Cube, http://www.audio-cube.nl/elna.htm
http://www.audiokit.it/ITAENG/Conden...satoriElna.htm
http://www.thlaudio.com/elnaitme.htm

Nichicon Muse KZ 220uF 25V 12.5 x 20
$.47, Handmade Electronics, http://www.hndme.com/storecapelectrolnichKZ.html

Nichicon UPW 1500uF 25V 12.5 x 25
$1.19, Mouser part # 647-UPW1E152MHD6, http://www.mouser.com/index.cfm?&han...*&N=0&crc=true

Panasonic FC 1200uF 25V 12.5 x 25
$1.78, Digi-Key part # P11224-ND, http://www.digikey.com/

Panasonic FM 1500uF 25V 12.5 x 25
$0.95, Digi-Key part # P12380-ND, http://www.digikey.com/
(Thanks Earwax)

Sanyo Oscon
16V selection: http://www.thlaudio.com/osconitme.htm

The Black Gates are disappearing from the market, and often cited as best. Audio Cube is the new source I mentioned earlier for Elna caps; with a 15 Euro shipping charge it might make sense for small groups to join forces. Their description of various caps is intriguing, and I find myself leaning toward the Silmics, though the Black Gate "buy now or never" issue weighs on me.

It seems space is the limiting factor more than $$, unless one wants to re-etch the Pimeta. Under ideal conditions more capacitance is better, but lousy caps color the sound. Given these qualities and values, if someone were handing you any of these caps to use for free, which would you choose, given the space tradeoffs?

 

[Earwax]

The Panasonic FM series has better specs than the FC and is also available at Digikey, albeit in a somewhat limited size range. P12380-ND is 12x25 1500uf 25V.

I'm pretty sceptical of the value of buotique capacitors in a power supply. But I admit I haven't actually tried them, I just haven't been curious enough to get past the size and cost penalties involved in using them.

 

[Edwood]

How would four Black Gate FK 220uF 25V compare to four Panasonic FC 1000uF 25V?

-Ed

 

[MisterX]

They don't.
Those blackgates will give you a little better detail but they are not worth the price when used in a Pimeta (IMO)
Besides:
Realizing you just wasted $40 on caps when you could have spent that money on a PPA and got better results = priceless.

Cerafines walk a fine there as well but for the price I can live with that cause they make audiophiles go ooooo
Well, that and the amp doesn't go thump when you turn it off.

 

[Edwood]

The lack of turn off thump would be worth it for me, it can be rather loud with more sensitive headphones.

-Ed

 

[Edwood]

Any US sources for Elna Cerafine 470uF 25V?

-Ed