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Vintage threads from the first ten years

Solen caps in guitar power supply.

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9/18/1999 12:03 PM
Mark Abbott	Solen caps in guitar power supply. Has anyone tried using Solen Fast caps in the power supply of guitar amps? I've tried the small poly cap across the pre-amp supply cap mod which seems to smooth out the high freq response. Thanks Mark.

9/18/1999 1:18 PM

Mark,

Yeah, I've done that. I doubt, given all the other variables in an amp, if the average ears could hear much of a difference with an electrolytic-free power supply, but if money is no object, Solens are a good choice.

(ie. 5 big Solens might cost as much as a nice Weber 10" speaker, and I'd rather have the Weber)

Heck, what are they lately, about 10 bucks for 47uf?

But I DO like the 630 volt rating, so I would consider using them instead of the usual series connected 350 volt caps where > 450 volts are expected. I suspect they would last longer too, although modern electros are pretty good.

FWIW, I usually use a 22uf Solen followed by a choke, followed by a bunch of Nichicon electros in a typical power supply.

They are also really good alternatives to electro cathode bypass caps, at least in the 1 to 5uf range. (the bigger ones are, well, too big to hang off a cathode)

They are excellent for upgrading speaker crossovers too! I made a pair of old Rat-Shack three ways come alive with 'em.

Well, that's my 2 cents (Canadian) on the Solens...

... Whit

9/20/1999 3:08 PM

Note that Angela has their own "line" of Angela Fast Caps caps which are apparently the Solens relabeled and cheaper.

Note also that these caps are physically larger than similar-value electro's, so the Solen's might be better for a new project than for a retrofit situation.

I've liked their sound (the Angelas) for a coupling cap, in a hifi application, also I have used them (real Solens) as PS filter caps and they certainly work quite well, you just have to shoe horn them in sometimes.

Amen about the 630V rating.

I wonder if putting them "under the hood" to replace a can-cap might cause them to suffer from the greater heat inside there?

-j

9/21/1999 3:41 PM
Ed	Tantulum res? Hello everybody: Has anyone tried the tantulum res. from Angela Instruments? Steve there says that they have a great sound, and have a much better stability factor. I was just curious @ the price they go for, if they are worth it for a guitar amp? in terms of tone and tone! Thanks Ed

9/21/1999 3:49 PM

P.S.Solen caps

Steve @ Angela has some interesting articles on caps and other hi quality parts, for the serious toneaholic, as some of you may already know. I visited the site last night my self, and learned some cool info, but before I buy, I want to have a good knowledge of what will be practicle and cost effective, in trying to keep the tone happening, not going to deep in the red. Though I feel quality should come first, especially when it comes to tone, and reliability.

thanks Ed

9/21/1999 4:11 PM
Gus	Re: Solen caps in guitar power supply. I am installing them in a laney vc30 I let you know what i think after things settle down in manville N.J.

9/26/1999 10:59 PM

Mark:

:"small poly cap across the pre-amp supply cap mod"

Is this the same one that Dan Torres mentioned in one of his VG articles? I've tried out both 0.22uF and 0.33uF/630v caps across the last power supply cap and wasn't exactly sure what they did, but for a buck or two, might as well use them...

Would there be any advantage to using them across some of the other power supply caps? Just wondering...

Steve Ahola

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