ChrisAZ
Active Member
I’ve been having a lot of fun refurbishing vintage speakers lately and have been recapping with 1% Dayton polys but have some (supposedly) NOS Russian capacitors that I’d like to experiment with. I’m planning on starting with a pair of KLH model 23’s which only have a single 4uf capacitor in each crossover. I figure they’ll be inexpensive and easy to experiment with.
Here’s some of my questions about this project:
(And yes I’m familiar with the controversial nature of the subject here, but already have these caps and want to do some experiments for myself for fun)
1) Because of the large size of the Russian caps, I’m going to need to add some lead wire. What type and size of wire do you suggest.
2) What about mounting?
3) I’ve done a lot of reading already about using these caps in crossovers and planned on starting with the big KBGs bypassed with the T-2 Teflons, but would like to hear your opinions and experiences. What combination of capacitors do you suggest and why?
4) I mentioned that all these caps were said to be ‘new’ old stock by the various sellers but I’m suspicious that some of them are not. For instance look at the closeup of the K75-10’s leads compared to the K73-16’s. The leads have some corrosion on the ends where they might have been soldered and look pretty bent up. What do you think? Does it really matter if they’ve been used?
5) Lastly, the seller that I got the two big 4uf KGB’s from sent two slightly different types (see pic). Is it crucial that these match exactly or are these two close enough?
Here’s some pics of the KLH’s. I sanded these down to bare wood and applied 5 coats of Watco natural danish oil, allowing it to dry 24 hours between coats. I think they came out great with this method.
And here’s the caps I have to experiment with
KBG paper in oil. Notice the slight differences in the two.
K73-10’s
Notice the difference in the leads in this pic
Silver mica for bypassing
Teflon for bypassing,
K73-16’s
Here’s some of my questions about this project:
(And yes I’m familiar with the controversial nature of the subject here, but already have these caps and want to do some experiments for myself for fun)
1) Because of the large size of the Russian caps, I’m going to need to add some lead wire. What type and size of wire do you suggest.
2) What about mounting?
3) I’ve done a lot of reading already about using these caps in crossovers and planned on starting with the big KBGs bypassed with the T-2 Teflons, but would like to hear your opinions and experiences. What combination of capacitors do you suggest and why?
4) I mentioned that all these caps were said to be ‘new’ old stock by the various sellers but I’m suspicious that some of them are not. For instance look at the closeup of the K75-10’s leads compared to the K73-16’s. The leads have some corrosion on the ends where they might have been soldered and look pretty bent up. What do you think? Does it really matter if they’ve been used?
5) Lastly, the seller that I got the two big 4uf KGB’s from sent two slightly different types (see pic). Is it crucial that these match exactly or are these two close enough?
Here’s some pics of the KLH’s. I sanded these down to bare wood and applied 5 coats of Watco natural danish oil, allowing it to dry 24 hours between coats. I think they came out great with this method.
And here’s the caps I have to experiment with
KBG paper in oil. Notice the slight differences in the two.
K73-10’s
Notice the difference in the leads in this pic
Silver mica for bypassing
Teflon for bypassing,
K73-16’s
I'll get the popcorn. Been wondering how the caps change the sound. Just post as you get there with each type cap. Thanks ahead of time.
