So, whats spinning on your flat panels today?

[Feanor]

...

Starting with the caps:
The piece I read about the guy who upgraded crossovers in Maggie 1.6 was written in 2,000. At that time the total capacitance of the caps was 22 microfarads. I'm betting that hasn't changed up to now, but how can I verify that (short of cutting open the back of the speaker and looking at them)?

Assuming 22 microfarads is still valid, I would need at least 2 caps per speaker, one each for low pass and high pass (?). They would ideally be 11 microfarads each. However No one I looked at so far manufactures 11 microfarad caps.

"MusiCaps" by HOVLAND look good with a three cap arrangement of 7, 7, and 8 microfarads totalling 22. This would run about $106 per speaker.

Mundorfs are a bit more expensive. They list their cap capacitance out 2 decimal places (eg 8.20) and I can't come up with a combination that will total 22 microfarads.

Am also confused by operating voltage. HOVLAND lists their caps in "WVDC" @ 100V. Mundorf list theirs in "VDC" @ either 800 or 1200.

If I had to choose now I'd probably go with the HOVLANDs like that other guy did. Other suggestions?

thanks,
Bill

Given the recommendation that an MG 1.6QR crossover upgrade is a good thing, I started looking around at capacitors that I might use.

So for 22uF of capacitance I could use, say, two 10uF plus one 2uF MusiCaps, total price per side US$205.20 from Madisound -- not exactly cheap.


Alternatively I could use Solen Teflon FEP Film & Tin Foil capacitors...

4 x 10uF 1000volt @ US$428.84 = $1715.36
4 x 1uF 1000volt @ $52.94 = $211.76
Total: US$1927.12

Seems a little over the top!

[bubslewis]

Given the recommendation that an MG 1.6QR crossover upgrade is a good thing, I started looking around at capacitors that I might use.

So for 22uF of capacitance I could use, say, two 10uF plus one 2uF MusiCaps, total price per side US$205.20 from Madisound -- not exactly cheap.


Alternatively I could use Solen Teflon FEP Film & Tin Foil capacitors...

4 x 10uF 1000volt @ US$428.84 = $1715.36
4 x 1uF 1000volt @ $52.94 = $211.76
Total: US$1927.12

Seems a little over the top!

Feanor, your cost estimate puzzles me. Here's a cost estimate (US dollar) I come up with so far:

Per speaker:
One 22uF Mundorf Supreme capacitor - $89 (available at MadiSound)
One 3.5mH air core foil inductor (the spool) - $58 (available from Alpha Core Inc.)*
12 guage silver plated copper wire** - $15
Connectors (if necessary) - $20 estimated
Some kind of board - $0
Hands on assistance from JoeE SP9 - $Priceless$

Estimated cost per speaker - $180. Have I missed something?

** Florian, when you say silver plated copper rails do you mean the wires?
* Florian. I can't seem to find any USA dealers for Mundorf spools.

Thanks,
Bill

[Feanor]

Feanor, your cost estimate puzzles me. Here's a cost estimate (US dollar) I come up with so far:

Per speaker:
One 22uF Mundorf Supreme capacitor - $89 (available at MadiSound)
One 3.5mH air core foil inductor (the spool) - $58 (available from Alpha Core Inc.)*
12 guage silver plated copper wire** - $15
Connectors (if necessary) - $20 estimated
Some kind of board - $0
Hands on assistance from JoeE SP9 - $Priceless$

Estimated cost per speaker - $180. Have I missed something?

** Florian, when you say silver plated copper rails do you mean the wires?
* Florian. I can't seem to find any USA dealers for Mundorf spools.

Thanks,
Bill

Priceless indeed. Thanks, bubs. No, I don't see that you missed a thing.

Let me ask, though, are multiple parallel capacitors and/or a by-pass cap good ideas?

[bubslewis]

Priceless indeed. Thanks, bubs. No, I don't see that you missed a thing.

Let me ask, though, are multiple parallel capacitors and/or a by-pass cap good ideas?

Feanor, Magnepan manufactures the 1.6 using parallel capacitors in their crossover. What I'm doing is simply exchanging their parallel capacitor combo with a higher quality combo (minus the by pass). The total capacitance of the new capacitors will be the same as the original combo of 22 uF.

Same with the inductor spool. Just using a better one with the same 3.5 mH value as the original.

I have no idea if using a single 22uF capacitor is better/worse than a parallel setup that totals 22uF's. I kinda think either way would be OK.

I just ordered the capacitors and inductors, so I am now committed to doing this. Upgrading the capacitors and inductor spool seems to be the biggest bang for the buck as far as sonic improvement. I'll consider the wiring upgrade after I determine the extent of improvement (if any) from the new caps/spools (new caps have a 40 hour burn in period).

I figure if I can do this then just about anybody else could too. If significant improvement results then you might want to consider trying it with your 1.6's.

Will keep you posted.

thanks,
Bill

[JoeE SP9]

When you connect capacitors in parallel the voltage rating is increased. Two 10 micro farad 50volt rated caps wired in parallel will total 20 micro farad's capacitance and have a 100volt rating. When wired in series the voltage rating is whatever it is for the device with the lowest voltage rating (capacitor) but the capacitance is calculated the same way parallel resistance is.

[Feanor]

When you connect capacitors in parallel the voltage rating is increased. Two 10 micro farad 50volt rated caps wired in parallel will total 20 micro farad's capacitance and have a 100volt rating. When wired in series the voltage rating is whatever it is for the device with the lowest voltage rating (capacitor) but the capacitance is calculated the same way parallel resistance is.

Thanks, Joe. I understand this better now, especially the voltage aspect.

I think I've notice a trend in amplifier design to multiple power supply capacitors; as I recall the reason offered was that multiple capacitors unload faster singles for the same total capacitance -- I don't whether I got that right or whether it applies to crossover caps too.

[E-Stat]

When wired in series the voltage rating is whatever it is for the device with the lowest voltage rating (capacitor) but the capacitance is calculated the same way parallel resistance is.

Unfortunately, you can't have your cake and eat it too. Series wiring does increase the voltage capability, but the capacitance is diminshed.



My VTL power amps, for example use a pair of 400 volt 3300 uf caps in series for its power supply. That yields 1650 uf for its 550 volt rail.

rw

[Florian]

I just wanted to say that i am very glad that this Planar Section is on its way to become a great resource and that more fans join in with Planar speakers..

Cheerfully

-Flo

PS: About the silver plated copper rails. Try to use them for all conections. :-)