Hi folks. I thought I'd give you a little capsule update on my cap upgrade experiment. I'm trying to be low-key and subtle on this experiment, because I don't want anyone to think that the preamp as is from Joseph with the Hovland caps is some type of sacrificing of musical enjoyment. It is not. Joseph has made a great preamp that is a genuine bargain, regardless of which version you choose. Joseph is out of the country right now and I don't want him to feel that we few tweakers of his preamp are trying to re-think, so to speak, his design. I just had to try this new V-cap from VH Audio because I had read so many wonderful testimonials about it, both from highly revered modifiers and manufacturers as well as from amateur tweakers like myself. The OIMP V-caps have about 400 hours on them now so they should be fully burned in, if not 90% or better. To my ears the V-caps are still better than the Hovlands. They just pass more information in all regards. But after continuing my evaluations using a wide variety of music that I'm very familiar with as well as different source components, I'm realizing now that the V-cap OIMP's have a very slightly added warmth and roundness, if you will, to the sonic portrait. This is not a bad trait or signature. Even with this signature, I would probably still live with it in my preamp as opposed to the Hovland simply because it lets through more information in a satisfying way for my tastes. So I contacted the designer of the V-cap, Chris, and he suggested that I try bypassing the OIMP with a much smaller V-cap teflon to see if the combination would give me more of a less warm and round texture to the sound. I then had a few e-mail exchanges with a very knowledgeable modifier, Bill Baker of response Audio, and he too recommended that I bypass the OIMP's with a smaller V-cap teflon, recommending a .10 uf value to blend with the 4.0 uf value of the OIMP. I bit the bullet and paid the extra $100.00 for the V-cap teflon bypass caps( I now have a little over $200.00 invested in this cap experiment replacement. A little high probably for the budget conscious, I know) but being a perfectionist, I just had to try this final tweak). I installed the bypass caps last night. It took much less time than the OIMP as I just piggy-backed the bypass to the OIMP and then carefully tied down all caps to fit tightly and securely to prevent microphonics. I have had it now playing overnight and the sound does indeed have better neutrality( read a little less warmth) but doesn't sound as good as the OIMP's by themselves. I'm attributing this to the fact that the teflons need at least 200 hours of burn-in before they really open up and show their capabilities. I have been told and read that the teflons need @ 400+ hours to achieve 95% of their attributes. So I probably have another two weeks before I can make a realistic evaluation to report. In the meantime, fellow TP 2.0 owners. Just let ole Sherod be the guinea pig for the time being and you rest easy enjoying your preamp as is. Joseph will be back in the good old USA next week and Victor told me that Joseph was going to order some V-caps to do his own experimenting, so I suggest you all wait until the Master, Mr. Chow, gives you his opinions. I don't want to create a monster here by thinking that everyone should go out and replace your caps. Please be patient and let the evaluations unfold and then make your decisions. Happy listening everyone and enjoy the music. Stay tuned for some hopefully final comments within the next few weeks to wrap up this cap test.
