New smoothing caps for Cambridge A3i

[BradNad]

I am about to do a bit of work to my Cambridge A3i.

I have just ordered a new output relay (on its way out). When I come to fit it I am thinking about changing the smoothing caps.

They are cheap 10000uF Nichicon at the moment. I have owned A3i's which have been fitted with Rubycons, and they did make the amp sound that bit sweeter.

Any suggestions? I do not want to pay Black Gate prices, so sensible suggestions please.

 

[PigletsDad]

See http://www.dnm.co.uk/capbhc.html

The four terminal caps from BHC/DNM have much better rejection of RFI than any standard cap, without sacrificing much LF performance.

 

[BradNad]

I have seen those. Will I be able to use them as I have only 2 pins on my existing caps?

 

[PigletsDad]

Yes, you may need to alter the wiring slightly for best effect.

Very roughly, with a a two terminal cap, current flows in from the rectifiers and out to the amplifier via the same terminal. A four terminal cap splits that - you connect the input terminals to the rectifiers, and the output to the amplifier rails. The URL I gave has an axplanation of how to use them part way down.

 

[laverda]

I do not want to pay Black Gate prices, so sensible suggestions please.

T-Nets are fantastic and work wounders in any/most applications and its worth the effort getting them to 'fit'.

IIRC They are available for about £20 each from Patrick Dixon, here at PFM.

But it sounds as if that might be outside your price point...........