crossover capacitor replacement

**voice of the theater** · January 19th, 2012, 09:19 AM

I've recapped all three pair of my Altecs with Solen caps over over a year ago. In a recent thread AB mentioned that he was having a pair of Model 19 crossovers recapped with Sonicaps. AB, can you let me know how those sound compared to the Solens--I know you have used those too? Are they brighter or different sounding in any way that you notice compared to the Solens? Have your Solens "burned in" or changed in character that you can tell since installing them? Has anyone else who's used the Solens noticed any change in their sound after using them for a length of time as far as "burn in"? Anyone have a favorite capacitor they'd like to recommend for crossovers?

**juniper** · January 19th, 2012, 09:38 AM

VOTT, I dont have any experience with solens caps but I have used Sonicaps in a pair of Cornwall crossovers. They sounded very nice, lots of detail and smoothed out the horns without being to restrictive and the speakers retained a very nice punch. My Model 19's have Audio Theta caps and Daytons with foil and air core inductors. The sound is very crisp and the speakers demand good recordings with the equipment I use. I think once I move to tubes it might be a great match? Another note about Sonicaps, there is a gentleman over in europe who tests caps for kicks and has tried many many brands including some of the more exotic types and rates them for fun. I saw no ads in his page so I dont think it was a for profit venture. He rated the Sonicaps very highly and better than most he tested. Nice thing is they are also very inexpensive.

**voice of the theater** · January 19th, 2012, 09:44 AM

Originally Posted by juniper

....Another note about Sonicaps, there is a gentleman over in europe who tests caps for kicks and has tried many many brands including some of the more exotic types and rates them for fun. I saw no ads in his page so I dont think it was a for profit venture. He rated the Sonicaps very highly and better than most he tested....

Thanks for the info Juniper--can you post the link for this guy's web page?

**juniper** · January 19th, 2012, 10:05 AM

Originally Posted by voice of the theater

Thanks for the info Juniper--can you post the link for this guy's web page?

VOTT, he seems to have changed his web page, last I recalled It was just pages of notes. If you search Audio cap tests it should come up. He is in the Netherlands his site is HumblehomadeHIFI. I agree with his assesment of the sonicap, they sound very nice.

**Panomaniac** · January 19th, 2012, 11:57 AM

I've listened to a lot of crossover caps and keep coming back to the Jantzen Cross Caps. I've rarely heard better, but have tested much more expensive. The Sonicap is one of the few that I really did not like. Too bright and spitty for me. YMMV.

**juniper** · January 19th, 2012, 05:33 PM

Originally Posted by Panomaniac

I've listened to a lot of crossover caps and keep coming back to the Jantzen Cross Caps. I've rarely heard better, but have tested much more expensive. The Sonicap is one of the few that I really did not like. Too bright and spitty for me. YMMV.

What speakers did you test them with? and what type of space were listening in? and what type of up front equipment were you using to test with? Kindly interested in your opinions! Thanks

**Altec Best** · January 19th, 2012, 12:46 PM

Yes I am.They are being rebuilt now by a good friend Dave (Dgwojo). So I have no comment at the moment.I wanted to A/B them with the Solens to see what I prefer.The Sonicaps are much more expensive than the Solens though.When I get them back I can give you some more info on them.The Solens, if there is a break in period,which I don't believe in.I believe when you buy a new cap it is at it's set value that from the moment you put it into service it slowly degrades over time that's all.But a break-in period ? That's a myth IMHO! (What is more likely is your becoming used to how they sound) When you rebuild your crossovers and put all new components it should be spot on at that moment, with values very slowly degrading over a 20 year period or so.The rate of degradation depends obviously on the amount of usage,and time. IMHO...