Electrolytic capacitors

4 or 5 years is no problem. 8 or 9 of zero use is starting to get to where you should worry a little. Over 20 you need to consider replacement. This is my experience as an EE.

There are thousands of capacitors for sale at Newark and Digikey that have been on the shelf for years, waiting to be sold and no one uses a variac when they power them up for the first time. I have powered up MANY converters and power supplies in my lab that sat for at least a decade and there was never any issue. You are worrying way too much about this. Just enjoy the music.

Arthur

A lot depends on the environment that the unit was stored in- expect that in a damp environment the caps will not last as long, and maybe after only 2-3 years (for example in a basement) the caps will be suffering if the unit has been in storage the whole time. OTOH drier environments, and particularly with lower voltage equipment (IOW, not tubes) 4-5 years is *usually* no sweat.

FWIW The half life of electrolytics seems to be about 15-20 years, IOW in that time about 1/2 of them will be failing.

You are worrying way too much about this. Just enjoy the music.

This is the normal situation for audiophiles - we worry about everything even what bit of wire is used between items.

we worry about everything even what bit of wire is used between items

Don't feed the troll.

Thank you, Shadorne, Atmasphere, Elevick for your responses. Arthur, with your background in EE, your advice is deeply appreciated. I have just received an e-mail from Parasound that addressed my concern about the Electrolytic caps and I feel much better now. Mwilson, Is it somekind of self reflection of oneself in the mirror?