Elna Silmic vs. Silmic II

[slowpogo]

What is the difference between these? Do people think one sounds better than the other?

I've glanced at the data sheets for both and see no real difference.

 

[applegd]

According to ELNA data sheets, Silmic II is series RFS. Silmic is series ROS.

RFS--> ROS, for higher grade.

 

[richard_hing]

Quote:

Originally Posted by applegd /img/forum/go_quote.gif According to ELNA data sheets, Silmic II is series RFS. Silmic is series ROS. RFS--> ROS, for higher grade.

According to the Elna RFS (Silmic II) datasheet, the RFS series is their highest grade cap for audio. They have OFC lead wires and an improved silk fiber/hemp fiber dielectric material. When I was at the last Burning Amp Festival 2008 in Sausalito, CA, Nelson Pass told me that these are really nice caps and he has suggested them for a signal coupling application in the PassDIY F3 power amplifier as well as in the PassDIY B1 buffer preamplifier.

Digi-Key sells them at very reasonable prices and they also have links to the datasheet:

Digi-Key Part Search

For power caps in my Tripath-powered Class D amp, they offer a slightly smoother sound than the widely acclaimed Rubycon ZL caps. I haven't tried them yet for signal coupling applications, but I will be comparing the smaller value Elna RFS caps to some Black Gate N caps soon. For the price, they're worth checking out.

 

[majkel]

Quote:

Originally Posted by slowpogo /img/forum/go_quote.gif What is the difference between these? Do people think one sounds better than the other?

They sound different - Silmic gives thicker and birghter sound, the Silmic II has got great timbre but is thinner sounding with precise imaging. The Slimic II is better, IMHO.
Quote:

I've glanced at the data sheets for both and see no real difference.

On paper, you won't see differences even between different brands.

 

[fzman]

handmade audio sells them for less than digikey-- both give very good service.