OT:Any opinions on Clarity caps for crossovers?

[xinu]

I'm looking for reasonably priced 18uf crossover caps for my 878B Santiagos.

I'm considering the Clarity PX series because the price is right and I can source them from a supplier in Canada.

Anyone have any opinions on these for my application?

px-clarity.jpg

Thanks,

Greg

[SD-50]

Take a look at this site, best one I've come across for cap tests.
Humble Homemade Hifi - Cap Test

[xinu]

Thanks for the link! Very interesting and useful for decision making.

HumbleHH ranks Duelund caps at the top of their verdict rating. Double digit uFs start at over a grand each based on partsconnexion pricing. I won't be using those.

[SD-50]

Thanks for the link! Very interesting and useful for decision making.

HumbleHH ranks Duelund caps at the top of their verdict rating. Double digit uFs start at over a grand each based on partsconnexion pricing. I won't be using those.

Yeah, the Duelands are crazy expensive, waay beyond my limited funds and I'm cheap to boot Good blog on Duelund caps here. The Westminster Royal SE Duelund CAST Crossover Project: Hybrid Silver-Copper CAST Capacitors – Jeff's Place

[westend9]

I've used these Axon caps with good success-AXON True Cap Metallized Polypropylene Capacitors

[xinu]

I wouldn't have found those without the link that WestEnd9 provided. AXONs don't show up on the Partsconnexion film cap drop menu and they're 50% off as well. 4 bucks for an 18uF is excellent value.

HumbleHH cap test says the AXONs have a 'slight focus on the lower treble range giving it a fat and juicy character'. I'd be interested to hear what 'fat and juicy' sounds like. It can't be bad right? Maybe he was peeling a big ripe orange when listening.

[westend9]

Since the capacitor is used as a high pass filtering cap, it shouldn't matter if it's fat and juicy or thin and dry. FWIW, Parts Connexion states the Axon True Caps are made in the same factory as the Solen Fast Caps. They sure look like a Solen, same size and similar lead construction. Maybe Solens are fat and juicy, too?

[Nickd]

Greg,
Those Clarity caps are really good. I would rate them a bit better than the Daytons & Erse. Equal to a Sonicap and mid line Mundorf.
Nick

[xinu]

Thanks to all for the cap info.

I decided to go with Axon caps for new N801-8 spec networks. Axon's may not be ranked quite as high as the Clarity's but the price/performance seemed to be good value in my case. The interweb tells me that Axons are Solen cousins with a mid range character more suited to horns. Based on the music I prefer, I don't think my ears will be able to resolve the subtle differences between good spec MP value caps and the expensive ones.

Building new crossovers is not an inexpensive endeavour. So far I have ordered over $300 in parts + shipping.

[BillWojo]

Yea, I'm in the process of building my Model 19 crossovers for my Valencia copies (HeathKit AS101) and know what you mean about it getting pricey.
What crossover are you building or is it a custom design?

BillWojo