[ofb]

this morning Slashdot points to an article about electolytic capacitors made with an inferior water-based electolyte that are plaguing computer motherboards.

http://www.ttiinc.com/MarketEye/zogb...s_20021014.asp

would anyone here happen to know if this may include capacitors audio neophytes like myself may be purchasing?

 

[Budgie]

I think the odds are against us diy/hobby types running into bad caps.

 

[eric343]

Yes; those bad caps are the result of the manufacturers trying to cheap out and getting the absolute cheapest capacitors they can find that will get the job done. Panasonic/Elna {Cerafine/Silmic}/Black Gates will NOT have this problem...

 

[puppyslugg]

Quote:

Originally posted by eric343 Yes; those bad caps are the result of the manufacturers trying to cheap out and getting the absolute cheapest capacitors they can find that will get the job done.

eric343:

Are you confident these 'bad caps' won't reach the surplus market? And eventually reach diyers?

 

[ofb]

this'll help; an article with some specifics on what repair folks are noticing as the trend.

"Fixing the problem carries its own set of headaches. Most of the shoddy capacitors are 8mm in diameter. Most of the readily available capacitors are 10mm, although some vendors such as Rubycon and Nichicon do offer 8mm capacitors on special order, integrators say."

http://www.e-insite.net/index.asp?la...bzine=e-insite

 

[tangent]

If you read the article, it says that the most suspect parts are from cut-rate brands Tayeh and Jackcon. Also, on computer motherboards, caps are very tightly spec'd for voltage -- a 6.3V cap to bypass a 5V power line, for example.

I don't think this problem will affect audiophiles.

 

[Dreamslacker]

Hmm... Known issue for a long time... Especially with ABIT motherboards.. Though the companies have been denying it for quite some time.

I use Rubycon/ Nichicon caps (the companies that make the Blackgate & Muse caps) for my cheapo amp. anyway.. So there is no problem there...