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upgrading speaker crossovers

I have a pair of PSB Stratus Gold'is and I am thinking of upgrading the crossovers, I am going to try this before I think about buying new speakers., which are in the area of $10000. The crossover in a speaker consists of 1-2.5mf 440vac film and 1- 6mf 440vac film by RC. then I have 4 100mf 100vac electrolytics. Why are the elecrolytics there, is this because of cost? I would much rather put in polys in their place, which will cost me $30.00 each. So my question is are the elecrolytics there because of cost issues if so can I change them to ploys?

My equipment consists of conrad johnson PV14l tubed preamp and a conrad johnson MF2500 amp. Both are right now at cj to be upgraded, the preamp is also getting teflon caps. I also have a pair of Mirage M1;s that I have upgraded with SI tweeters and Woofers. Must have gotten the last ones from them because now they will not even talk to you about the speaker when you call.

Anyway any advise on upgrading the crossovers would be greatly appreciated.
jchristilles
rfogel8's avatar
rfogel8
192 posts
 
I agree with Timlub when it comes to haphazardly replacing coils. On the other hand, I've had good experiences swapping out cheap 16AWG coils for 12AWG ones, particularly, the foil types.
jchristilles OP
9 posts
 
Yesterday I replaced the 2 film caps on each crossover with the Mundorf Supremes. Did some listening and the speakers do sound better, the tweeters are not as brittle, the highs are still there but smoother sounding. I will need some time to burn in the new caps but I think this is what I am looking for, I will have to do more listening today. I just ordered my new turntable and will get it this week, can't wait until it gets here then I can try some vinyl.
For now I think that is all I am going to do the the crossovers, I want to let these new caps burn in, besides replacing those electrolytic's could prove to be a pain. Ever since I got my conrad johnson amp and preamp back from being upgraded the bass is great and they dig even lower, are more controlled and my soundstage is a little bigger, time will tell but it is as if I just purchased new equipment.
radni
96 posts
 
Jchristilles ,
Glad you got much improved results with upgraded Mundorf Supreme caps . What were the original caps that got replaced?
Did you not replace all caps ?
I am told by a technician at a speaker mfg company that one should have all caps on the X-over of the same type and from the same company and not to mix different varieties ( not even from same cap mag company ) , e.g. not to mix Mundorf Supreme with Mundorf Silve-Oil .
alexismaster
35 posts
 
The supremes need a lot of time for break in... The first time they sound hard and poor detailed. They change completely after a long time burn in.
I asked directly by manifacture in cologne, they need about 200 hours, to sound right. You can shorten this time with excellent results using the astonishing isotek cd enhancer. It works incredible good.
Ciao
magfan
1,583 posts
 
Timlub is correct about inductors.
However, replacing an iron core with an aircore is not a bad idea, especially in the woofer end of the circuit.
At the same time, it is a Very good idea to match the DC resistance of new to old.
My inductor design for my Maggies is within 5% of 'stock' while going from 16ga to 14ga. This buys power handling, reduces any chance of saturation to near zero while not messing with driver balance or crossover frequency.

The advantage is that aircore doesn't saturate like an iron core does. This will be of most use to those who like it loud....no....louder.
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