Clarity Caps vs Kimber kaps

"I've yet to hear a single output coupling cap that beats out a well experimented combination of caps."

Reb1208 (Threads | Answers)

On the other hand, in my preamp outputs, I've yet to hear any combination of caps that beats out a single cap of equal performance. (O:)

http://db.audioasylum.com/cgi/m.mpl?forum=tweaks&n=31468&highlight=bypassing+coupling+caps+with+same&r=&session=

Dave,

My mistake. I just checked, indeed the .015uf cap I am using in signal path is a FT-1 .015uf/200v(not FT-2-no such thing) Interesting is that I also have these FT-1 in .022uf/200v but prefer the .015uf.

In fact I prefer the Russian FT-1 .01uf Teflon caps to other Teflon caps: AuraT, V-Cap, Rel-Cap, Pentacap and Cardas Hybrid.

The K-72 Teflon I found to be too sharp/mechanical and unrefined sounding. Even after removing the metal case and replacing leads.

The FT-3 Teflon is fantastic in the power supply.

I have several values of the k-71 Russian polystyrene caps but have yet to find a use for them. Not impressed with the results.

Sherod, I understand that some folks have more time than others to spend on experimenting. Perhaps when you log more time, you will "hear" what is possible when the right combo is found. I'll be happy to share more with you if you are open to this "art". It is an art, but some folks just go by conventional wisdom.

Tony Gee/Humble HiFi seems to be the only widely read reviewer of exotic caps who also tests caps for benefits accruing from .01uf bypass. In most cases he finds bypassing preferable(particular in crossover), and for this purpose he likes cheap Vishay MKP caps. I have not compared these Vishays to Russian FT-1, but I doubt that the Vishays can equal NOS Russian teflon in such applications. However, one cannot use bypass caps to make a silk purse out of a sow's ear. In my crossover, Claritycap MR without bypass easily surpassed stock cryoed Hovland with teflon bypass.

Reb, .1uf K-71 styrenes bypassed with .01uf FT-1 teflon sound damn good in PS around DAC and analog section of my CDP. However I have not compared this arrangement to much else.

Multiple signal paths provided by stacking caps even those of the same type and brand have been in my experience an injection of multipath distortion. Phase and timing errors can be easily heard with these stacks or even simple bypass. Tom

I agree with Tom's assessment. Maybe bypassed caps can work in a speaker cross-over or in a power supply when properly done, but in a signal path, used full range, as in a preamp output coupler, I also hear these time and phase errors. In initial listening tests, your brain can be fooled into thinking you're getting better sound with usually an appearance of better highs, but ultimately my ears tell my brain that something isn't natural with this bypass arrangement and when the single cap is alone, my ear thanks me for getting rid of this annoying phase and time shift phenomenon. YMMV and IMHO, as usual.