VH Audio Vcaps

Reb,
I agree with your rating of REL TFT several steps down from V-Cap TFT. I was surprised to hear freshly installed V-Caps immediately surpass well broken-in REL TFT in my preamp. I've not yet tried Russian FT-series teflon caps in coupling positions, but have had good luck with them in bypass positions. FT-3s are physically large. For a more compact .11uf bypass cap, I've had good results with .1uf/400uf K40Y9 PIO bypassed by .01uf/200V FT-1 teflon. The steel leads of K40 should be cut off and replaced with better wire.

My Art Audio Carissa Sig. uses the Cardas Golden Ratio coupling caps. Reportedly, these have a wonderful midrange, rolled on top. When I first got this amp I did notice a bit of roll-off, with time and insertion of silver cables in various locations, this became less noticeable. Now I'm wondering whether I've just gotten used to the sound, or am I still rolling highs?

The caps would be a big hassle to change in this amp, would have to dismantle much to get to them. I'm inclined to stay put as I'm enjoying the sound.

Any thoughts on roll-off of highs with these caps?

By the way, just installed the Mundorf Silver/Oils as coupling caps in DAC today. Tonight's listening session should be interesting.

My issue with the Cardas caps is that they lack coherency, fluidity and refinement. I tried to improve upon them by experimenting with bypassing to no avail. I'm sorry, but if it were my amp I'd immediately replace them. Another cap I've had great success with as couplers is the MIT RTX styrenes. These caps ofter a certain dimensionality/depth/tactility that the teflons just can't duplicate.

Sns,

Did you break in these Vcaps before you put them in your phono stage? I put a pair of Vcap TFTFs in my 300B SET amp last year. The first 200 hours were simply horrible. It was much worse than before.

After 400 hours, it became much better. Great caps.

Reb 1208, wow, I don't hear those failings. Still, until I do a direct comparison (swap out) I won't really know. I'm considering the RTX as a replacement for the PPFMX currently in my Joule pre.

Vett93, the caps have over 100 hours on them in the Cayin. If these caps are horrible now, I guess I have a lot to look forward to! I would say there is a certain lack of refinement, that may be due to the Dynavector 20xl (will be moving up to Dynavector XX-2) or cartridge alignment (soon to be recified by MintLP tractor). It could also be the caps need further break in. I also have to replace the 4 .1uf coupling caps, so it could be the remaining stock caps. Lots of suspects here.