Capacitor log Mundorf Silver in Oil


I wished I could find a log with information on caps. I have found many saying tremendous improvement etc. but not a detailed account of what the changes have been. I have had the same speakers for many years so am very familiar with them. (25+ years) The speakers are a set of Klipsch Lascala's. They have Alnico magnets in the mids and ceramic woofers and tweeters. The front end is Linn LP12 and Linn pre amp and amp. The speaker wire is 12 gauge and new wire.

I LOVE these speakers around 1 year ago they started to sound like garbage. As many have said they are VERY sensitive to the components before them. They are also showing what I think is the effect of worn out caps.

There are many out here on these boards I know of that are using the Klipsch (heritage) with cheaper Japanese electronics because the speakers are cheap! (for what they can do) One thing I would recommend is give these speakers the best quality musical sources you can afford. There is a LOT to get out of these speakers. My other speakers are Linn speakers at around 4k new with Linn tri-wire (I think about 1k for that) and the Klipsch DESTROY them in my mind. If you like "live feel" there is nothing like them. In fact it shocks me how little speakers have improved in 30 years (or 60 years in the Khorns instance)

In fact I question Linn's theory (that they have proved many times) that the source is the most important in the Hi-Fi chain. Linn's theory is top notch source with lessor rest of gear including speakers trumps expensive speakers with lessor source. I think is right if all things are equal but Klipsch heritage are NOT equal! They make a sound and feel that most either LOVE or hate. (I am in the LOVE camp and other speakers are boring to me)

So here goes and I hope this helps guys looking at caps in the future. Keep in mind Klipsch (heritage Khorns Belle's and Lascala's especially) are likely to show the effects of crossover changes more then most.

1 The caps are 30 years old and
2 the speakers being horn driven make changes 10x times more apparent.

Someone once told me find speakers and components you like THEN start to tweak if needed. Don't tweak something you not in love with. Makes sense to me.

So sound
Record is Let it Be (Beatles)
The voices are hard almost sounds like a worn out stylus.
Treble is very hard. I Me Mine has hard sounding guitars. Symbals sound awful. Everything has a digital vs. analog comparison x50! Paul's voice not as bad as John's and George's. Voices will crack.

different lp
Trumpets sound awful. Tambourine terrible. Bass is not great seems shy (compared to normal) but the bad caps draw soooooo much attention to the broken up mid range and hard highs that are not bright if anything it seems the highs are not working up to snuff. I have went many times to speaker to make sure tweeters are even working.

All in all they sound like crap except these Klipsch have such fantastic dynamics that even when not right they are exciting!

Makes me wonder about the people who do not like them if they are hearing worn out caps and cheap electronics? Then I can see why they do not like them! If I did not know better from 25+ years of ownership that would make sense.

For the new crossover I have chosen Mundorf Silver in Oil from what I have read and can afford. I want a warm not overly detailed sound as Klipsch already has lots of detail and does not need to be "livened up" they need lush smooth sounding caps. Hope I have made the right choice?

When the crossover is in I will do a initial impression on same lp's. Right now it goes from really bad (on what may be worn vinyl) to not as bad but NOT great on great vinyl. (I know the quality of the vinyl because tested on other speakers Linn)

The new caps are Mundorf Silver in Oil and new copper foil inductors are coming. I will at the same time be rewiring the speakers to 12 guage from the lamp cord that PWK put in. PWK was a master at getting very good sound often with crap by today's standards components.

The choice of speakers would be a toss up now depending on what I am listening to. Klipsch vastly more dynamic but if the breaking up of the sound becomes to much to effect enjoyment the Linn would be a better choice on that Lp. If I could I would switch a button back and forth between speakers depending on song and how bad the break-up sound was bothering me.

volleyguy
Grannyring, how would you describe the Jupiters compared to the JB JFX? I know you felt the JFX was a decent alternative to the CAST caps a few months ago. Since my reactions to the JFX were not as positive, I am trying to get some context for your comments on the Jupiter.
JFX caps are a steal for the money in electronics as they cost $4 each! I would rather use JFX as compared to any Mundorf caps, Solen etc.....

In terms of how they compare to Jupiter in electronics, well not in the same league at all.
Had my one amp in today to the co-incidentally local guy who is an amp builder and repair. Something is not quite right.

He always has some very good gear in for repair and of course lots of guitar amps.

In testing he took out the tubes and the Gold Lion 12AX7's test very strong. I have found the Gold Lions to be very dynamic and the Psvane did not test as strong although well within normal.

The EL 84 7189/6BQ5 Russian Preffered series ('80's military spec I am told) are a little weak after 1 to 2,000 hours in 13 months. New tubes Gold Lions coming. I guess normal for this type of tube.

One thing that did really surprise me one Duelund CAST cap was leaking oil and was wet. Not sure if this is what has sent sound off? It has not been tested yet as the volume control pot needs replacing on the amp and I will have him check it out then.

Now back listening to original amp that started this thread years ago. Just a dead quiet vintage amp that blew me away.
Volleyguy1

Duelund CAST that was leaking oil? Interesting to hear. I have wondered if these amazing parts ever go "off" and, if they ever did, what support we'd get from Duelund. Do you have any idea if you stand a good chance of a free repair/replacement from Duelund if required?

Re the dead quiet vintage amp....I'm completely convinced that 80 or so years ago there were production techniques for caps, and maybe even power supplies, that we may have left behind. If someone knew how to make an amp dead quiet then I'm hoping that that will be the case again and again. Viva la research and well done Jupiter for forging ahead with better cap building techniques!

For my own part I just love the idea that I've gotten off the "new unit merry go round". I'd rather sort out something I own and make it work properly than buy yet another seller's promise of the perfect source component, line stage, amplifier....whatever.

Tas
Tas,

We share the same philosophy regarding audio components. Buy the components that really move you and connect emotionally with your music, then try to extract the most potential they have to offer. This approach has worked beautifully for me .
Charles,