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Jupiter Copper Foil, Paper & Wax Cap Versus Jensen Cap 0.10uF 630Vdc Copper Foil Ceramic

Greetings,
Your advice and comments would be most helpful and appreciated.
I will need to change my current capacitors in my tube power amp as one of my current Jensen 0.1uF 630V Copper Foil, PIO, Aluminium is now a problem - caused a EL34 tube heater to glow red. I will need four new capacitors.

I am considering two possible replacements:

1. 0.1uF 600Vdc Jupiter Copper Foil, Paper & Wax Capacitor   
2. Jensen Capacitor 0.1uF 630Vdc Copper Foil Ceramic Case 

Any comments on how these compare in their sound characteristics?
I would like a cap that offers balance across all frequencies, control, richness, enticing tone, and transparency. Also ease of flow of the music.    
Thanks so much, Bob 

marish200
marish200 OP
11 posts
 
The Jupiter Oil Caps are way more open with much better detail in my opinion and are a better build quality again my opinion.
Thank you @bigkidz for your comments. Sorry if I am a little confused about your statement. Which Jupiter Oil caps do you mean? Are they still in production or do you mean ’bees wax’? e.g. Jupiter copper foil wax & paper.
https://www.hificollective.co.uk/components/jupiter_copper_foil_in_wax.html

"The Jupiter copper foil had too much emphasis on the mid-range so it gave the impression of a thicker sound more musical sound at first"
Are you meaning the The Jupiter copper foil wax & paper are thicker sound in the mid-range?
Thx , Bob







grannyring's avatar
grannyring
6,542 posts
 
@bigkidz

I used the Jupiter caps in varied positions in all kinds of gear (crossovers to amps) so my comments are based on use beyond one or two products. I must have upgraded and modified at least 30 DIFFERENT audio pieces with this cap...perhaps more. With all things audio the end result is often gear and system dependent. No doubt in your two pieces, your particular design and flavor, that was your experience.

However, the Jupiter copper foil cap is wonderfully balanced top to bottom with no part of the sound spectrum emphasized. This is evident when used across a wide spectrum of gear, not just one line. This is also consistent with a plethora of professional and manufacturer reviews including Humble.

As always these caps need over 200 hours of break in before judging. This is especially true of Jupiter and Vcaps.
bigkidz
3,406 posts
 

@grannyring 

Thanks Bill but my partner and I repair/rebuild 5 to 10 components each month for many years now.  Counterpoint we have done every preamp design that they have, Counterpoint phono stages,and Counterpoint power amps, Melos preamps and power amps, EAR, ARC, CJ, DeHaveland (spelling), Audible Illusions, Supratek, Coincident, Dude (Pat changed the caps out with V-Cap Copper), Berkeley, Musical Fidelity, Hovland, Graaf, Peach Tree, VAC, Blue Circle, MAC, Sim Audio, Lamm, Wyteck, HK, Pass, Sony Techniques, Kenwood, Rowland, Levinson, Marantz, Rogue, Jadis, Naim, Denon, BAT, Luxman, Channel Islands, Krell, First Watt, Linn, Cary, Hafler, VTL, CEC, Wadia, Metronome, Audiomeca, Museatex, EMM Labs, Theta, Adcom, Spectral, Bryston, B&K, and many more.  While we have not put in better caps in everyone of these components, we have done comparisons in many.  Since I have many values of both caps laying around especially the Jupiters, we have been able to let the owner of the gear we repair/upgrade choose what sound they prefer.  So far the V-Cap was the cap selected.  Even GT Audio the speaker manufacturer in New Jersey that has used my DAC for the audio shows, changed to V-Caps over the Jupiter capacitors in their X-overs with the same results, much bigger soundstage, detail, etc.  They noted the same impact on the sound comparing the two capacitors.


Now I am not saying that everyone will have the same results, that would be dumb on my part, but so far, this is what my experience has provided.  Did you use the oil, copper or the Teflon V-capacitors?  I did not like the sound of the teflon as I already stated above.



@marish200 - copper foil Jupiter capacitors.  I did not like the bees wax ones at all except in amps and preamps.  The higher uF can also make a difference.


Also, we did modify an amp a few years back and the Jupiter caps failed.  Jupiter replaced them at no charge and if my memory is correct, they had a production change.  I am not saying that they are bad capacitors, I think they are excellent, I just prefer the V-Caps once broken in.  You have to try and decide for yourself though.

Happy Listening.

grannyring's avatar
grannyring
6,542 posts
 
I used the Vcaps copper ones and very pricy.  Very long run in period.  They were simply too thin sounding to me, but very resolving for sure. I also like the HT Jupiter capacitor in beeswax. Nice tone and very organic sounding. Not as much air and inner detail as the copper foils, but good for sure and less money. 

I suppose one’s sonic priorities and tastes are at play here. I am not a detail guy. I am more of a tone and body guy. 
marish200 OP
11 posts
 
@bigkidz @grannyring 
Thank you both for your comments and the detailing your experiences. Its most helpful to me. 
Bob
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