Replacing Capacitors, I Don’t Wanna!


Hi All,

I spoke to my speaker tech the other day and he brought up my ASR Emitter II Exclusive amplifier, referring to its age and the number of capacitors I’ll have to replace. I bought it new in 2011 so I expect to get at least another ten years before I’ll have to replace its 50+ capacitors but admittedly, I have little knowledge in this area. Just wondering what others have to say about this and I appreciate your input. Here’s a description of the amp ;

https://asraudio.de/files/ASR-Emitter2-Exclusive-Akku-Audiophile-Test-2011-EN.pdf

128x128goofyfoot

If it was competently designed with with descent components don’t touch it. Not even close to being ready for a recap IMO. 

Dear @goofyfoot  : The electrolytic caps in your unit are the top of the line Vishay ones that you can't improve it because the Vishay are the top of the tops capacitors and could gives you another 10 years with out problemas.

 

Regards and enjoy the MUSIC NOT DISTORTIONS,

R.

My amps are fine but when my A/C quit cooling on a 90+ degree day last week I was not a happy camper. Fortunately, I'm on a priority status with my HVAC vender so I received same day service. Good/bad news, competent tech who quickly found a swollen capacitor in my condenser motor controller and replaced it for a paltry (ouch) $354. So, good example of catastrophic capacitor failure even if not audio related.

This thread had my anxiety up a bit. Back in the day I had a threshold 400A which I loved. It was a customer trade in so I bought it from my boss at a good discount. Long story short, I took it home and it sounded awful, boss said get new main caps installed, problem solved the amp served me and sounded amazing for the years I had it, (also kept my little apartment warmer).

I bought a Cyrus two with a PSX power supply and it arrived last week. I’ll admit some trepidation firing it up. Seller was very honest, the amp that was built in the mid 80’s had never been serviced, never needed it. It sounds great pushing my TDL compacts in my mancave room. If I could source a pair of Mission 767's, a Cyrus CD player and an Ariston TT I will have my dream system from when I was 25. 

It just had me wondering if there are designs that are more prone to stress capacitors, and other designs that are kinder.. I’m not an electrical engineer so all I know is the set up will sound great until it doesn’t, then I’ll worry about the capacitors.