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B&W 802 D2 Capacitors Worth Upgrading?

After just getting a pair of 802D2’s in mint condition, after having to replace a blown tweeter, and succeeding (I know not a big deal), I started wondering about replacing the crossovers.  The speakers could be up to 12 years old so the capacitors in the crossovers should have another 12 years of life before they go out of spec.  I thought of just replacing the crossovers with new ones available on B&W’s site, now, just to reset the ~25y clock on the capacitor’s lifespan.  But then I watched a few YouTube’s of guys upgrading to crazy high-end caps.  Supposedly doing this can improve the speed or reduce the latency of the crossover.

I’ve not dug into this yet, but just wondering if anyone has any experience with this?  Questions:

-Is this worth doing?

-Why type of capacitors do I need?  And which brand/models are “the best”.

-Where do I get them?

-Any special tips when soldering for HiFi?  I know how to solder but have zero experience soldering for HiFi and wondering if I should be using a certain type of solder for Audiophile applications.  What am I thinking, of course there is such a thing as Audiophile solder, and it forms micro ultra low capacitance conductors, applies power correction and noise cancelation, improves the dialectics and it costs $5,000 a spool….  Ok got carried away there.

Also thinking about upgrading the internal crap wiring to something high end.

Thoughts, from anyone with experience doing these things?
 


 

 

 

 

nyev
aewarren
576 posts
 

Or too much heat in the room.

mofojo
2,172 posts
 

Of course tube preamp and ss amp is a popular combination. Get a good portion of that tube goodness distortion whatever and still have slammin bass. 
 

Also I agree don’t mess with the crossovers in the BWs unless you don’t like the sound and want to change somehow. The chances of improving it to your likeness is a pure crapshoot. 

pedroeb
493 posts
 

I’ve changed crossover components, so you’ll not get any disagreement from me.

If you are looking for an even better improvement, grounding the housing, and the front and rear plates is something I thoroughly recommend. Once the plates are grounded there is no contamination. It’s not until you experience the difference, that you appreciate the implications.

Speaker Anatomy

allenf1963
272 posts
 

@erik_squires and ​​​​@mofojo,

 

Thanks for the input.  I acquired a beautiful pair of Klipsch Forte II with Crites Crossover upgrades a couple of years ago, and I'm trying to find a Vintage Preamp / Amp setup to hit the sweet spot.  I want a Tube Preamp (I've heard nothing but praise regarding Audio Research Company Tube Preamps, just trying to find the right one at a good price).  This will be a turntable only system for a 3rd listening room I'm putting together -- so I'm trying to be budget friendly on the Preamp and Amp. 

 

Any other Tube Preamps I should look at other than ARC, and any suggestions on an Amp to pair with it?  One route I have in my pocket already -- I bought two of the Nelson Pass Amp Camp kits a couple of years ago that are just waiting on me to build them.  I had thought about running them as Monoblocks with the Preamp.  Again, any thoughts?

 

Thanks, as always.

urbie
275 posts
 

if you're going to upgrade to new internal wiring use OCC single crystal wire it has been proven for over 50 years now to be the best wire for audio far superior to anything ofc.

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