Mundorf, Clarity and Solen Caps

[Rudi]

try one of Ian's bypass caps for statrers. best bang for buck as far as upgrade  goes, i have heard very little difference between the caps in the R10 - R150 price range (based on the same spec cap) but the more expensive ones does show more improvement. very good caps in the lower end, solen, clarity wima sonicaps etc etc,

more expensive ones, mundorf and V-cap, ask JDZA they just sound so much more natural.

[Shonver]

I had the pleasure of experiencing AlleyCat's system recently. Let's just say it was a huge kick in the rear regarding room treatment absent from my own listening environment. My opinion is that his system is as ready as it'll ever be for experimenting with the likes of capacitor tweaks.

[Kent Kassler.]

WHAAAAT!!!Those mingy little Wharfedale 10.1's.....Shonver you are too easy to please!

[AlleyCat]

Thanks Shaun for the time and input, really appreciated.

Andre, Shaun did'nt even have the time to notice those Wharfdale drivers in the 802 cabinets.

[Kent Kassler.]

....You should reveal your true identity Alleycat.....if these gents knew that one of the worlds leading valve amplifier designers resides right here in sunny CT they would flip their lids i tell you!Give it some thought is all i ask Tim 

[Ampdog]

I've heard before that age can affect caps, but those were mostly stuff that's fom say the 70's. Why do you want to replace the entire xo?
Is there even any sense in replacing resistors and inductors?

AllleyCat,

As you are recent to the forum at least if not to audio you might be blissfully unaware of the enemies I have made unnecessarily, particularly regarding comments on capacitors, by daring to simply state basic science as a professional engineer. I will thus abstain  -  just to echo Atjan's question: Do you have a genuine reason, other than 'keeping up with the whoevers'? (Those components are easy to test.)

I suspect you will know about reading up on e.g. the web pages of Rod Elliot and a host of others (now slipping my memory - Ethan Winer, Douglas Self et al), on the experience contained in reams of research/listening  reports. But it is your money - just make sure that any unnecessary expenditure is worthy of the bruised ego you might suffer because of failure of urban legend claims. It is only fair that subjective claims of dramatic changes (aren't they always ...) should at least include your own experience then, if practicable, by borrowing and testing.   

[AlleyCat]

Thanks for most practical advice I have received in a long time (without offending those whose input I have valued on this topic). You have echoed my thoughts and actions on this subject - I am battling to assess whether this exercise will generate the required result. The plethora of and costs of these caps makes a it demanding challenge I am not yet ready for. Also, I do not know of anyone in Cape Town who has the caps/values to lend to test, let alone sell, barring Ian(JimGore), and he suggested that I could do better than the ones he presently has.

B&W are now using Mundorf caps in their latest 800 series products and have used Clarity caps in the older(e.g.my N802"S), and being a tweaker (cd players/amps - mainly caps/opamps) I am curious, and trying to be practical by spending silly money on it either(unless it really makes a BIG difference even if only proven subjectively!).

Lastly, I have been "lurking" on this forum for many years and a good few forumite friends have suggested I make it official, and have recently done that. Unfortunately/fortunately, depending on one's viewpoint, my love of good music takes precedence over equipment any day!

Thanks again for cementing my thoughts on the issue.

[AlleyCat]

Thanks for most practical advice I have received in a long time (without offending those whose input I have valued on this topic). You have echoed my thoughts and actions on this subject - I am battling to assess whether this exercise will generate the required result. The plethora of and costs of these caps makes it a demanding challenge I am not yet ready for. Also, I do not know of anyone in Cape Town who has the caps/values to lend to test, let alone sell, barring Ian(JimGore), and he suggested that I could do better than the ones he presently has.

B&W are now using Mundorf caps in their latest 800 series products and have used Clarity caps in the older(e.g.my N802"S), and being a tweaker (cd players/amps - mainly caps/opamps) I am curious, and trying to be practical by NOT spending silly money on it either(unless it really makes a BIG difference even if only proven subjectively!).

Lastly, I have been "lurking" on this forum for many years and a good few forumite friends have suggested I make it official, and have recently done that. Unfortunately/fortunately, depending on one's viewpoint, my love of good music takes precedence over equipment any day!

Thanks again for cementing my thoughts on the issue.

[Blues]

thanks for the opportunity to once more refer to my favourite speaker manufacturer 
north creek makes crossover replacements for your speakers, though they are not cheap. but they also sell resistors and caps, and would probably advice you which steps to take.

crossovers :
http://www.northcreekmusic.com/801web.html

price list :
http://www.northcreekmusic.com/NorthCreekPriceList.pdf

[AlleyCat]

Thanks Blues. Have checked them out. Those tweaks are for the Matrix series 800 products, not the Nautilus.

[Shonver]

Based on the North Creek link that Paul just posted and the discussion here http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/multi-way/203699-b-w-n800-midrange.html, I believe that some improvement could be had from changing the crossover design. I have googled for online mods of this kind, but have not come up with any published designs.

Edit: @ AlleyCat: I see you comment about the North Creek crossovers.

[Kent Kassler.]

Just chop it all out and put a Hitano cap on the tweeter,if it still sounds bright a stinky old sock could help?

[AlleyCat]

B&W's response to my question "We use top quality components on our 800 series line so there should be no concern for replacing the capacitors on your N802’s"

[Kent Kassler.]

Sometimes knowing me is not worth the liability