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Recapping your amp

I was wondering how you would know its time for a recap on your amp. Even when it sounds fine and the caps are not bulging or leaking. 
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gs5556
1,235 posts
 
If you start hearing a 60-120hz hum when only the amplifier is on, then it is time for power supply caps to be replaced. Prior to that, you may hear a softening of the sound (transients and mid to lower bass).

If the amp is running and sounds normal, leave it alone.
pops
2,275 posts
 
If the amp is running and sounds normal, leave it alone.

I agree...I recapped some old speakers and never felt they sounded quite the same. 
teo_audio
2,197 posts
 
Recapping loudspeakers is a thing that must be individually assessed in how it is done. Small bypass caps of a film type sometimes works (across electrolytic types), but if the crossover is originally all electrolytic, then the new should also be all electrolytic - unless one wants to get down to redesigning the crossover.
ct0517's avatar
ct0517
2,041 posts
 
Let's assume;

You have a family car with timing belt, that according to the owners manual is supposed to be changed every 7 years or 100,000 miles.

Your car is 6 years 10 months old and has 70,000 miles. It was not a taxi, was cared for, and was not abused.

Timing belts give no warning signs before they go.

Are you going to get the timing belt changed in two months ?    

kalali's avatar
kalali
1,977 posts
 

Hard to describe but if you hear a sound just like tiny/tight fart when you turn the amplifier off, that's usually a good indication that a recap might be required. My real old Adcom 545 did that and my 555 has started doing too. From the sound quality perspective, both amplifiers have much softer bass now as compared to when they were new which makes the overall sound rather flat and lifeless. Both have been used (actually abused) on a daily basis since1987 by me and friends who (still) borrow the 555 for parties.

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