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
I guess I just have to hear this! (CAST vs. Jupiter)

Not saying you are wrong and can not wait to hear what Jimmy and Tony think as well...

If as good or close to as good I intend to buy quite a few... (tight spots)
Grannyring
I have actually been listening to the regular Beeswax caps from Jupiter (compared to vintage) they sent the wrong ones.

Can you tell me what to expect for the difference? Have you heard both?

The Copper ones should be in by Wednesday is my guess.

I could not get over how small they were compared to CAST. (which may come in handy)
For sure lower resonance than vintage.

I thought they were pretty good but saying CAST good was a head scratching stretch...
The only Jupiter caps I have ever used were the flat stacked HT and the new copper foil. These are the top end of their line. Both are very good, but the new copper foil are more neutral and resolving revealing far more micro details. The new copper caps manage to deliver SOTA resolution without ever sounding hard, forced, bright or thin. Even handed top to bottom. Smooth as silk and lots of air. They seem to have it all. At least compared to everything else currently available.
Looking forward to them! Should be here today and I will install right away. The Copper Foil are bigger than the standard ones. Interesting on the Beeswax Tony gave them 11.5 another reviewer did not like at all? My initial impression was Tony was about right.

I wonder about wax in general very low resonance more than oil? I would think so... Could prove to be very useful in the phono stage where these are going.

Anyone tried Duelund RS? That is my only other option since CAST is out of the question. (now price wise for small special values)

When done EVERY single cap in my amp will be Jensen Copper Foil Paper Tube, Duelund CAST, Duelund VSF, Jupiter Copper Foil and maybe a couple Jupiter Beeswax.

Anyone else have the entire amp with high end caps?