Does recapping make an audible difference? The shoot out & you're invited
- Thread starter w1jim
- Start date
+1! Jim, thanks for your efforts there as well as the posts.
Can you shed any light on why more than half the attendees didn't want to document what they heard in the comparison?
Beer usually reduces inhibitions!
Bruce
EPI-Center
Super Member
I A/B'd a sansui amp once that I had recapped with one that wasn't but didn't have the awesome A/B switch that jim had so by the time I frantically replaced the speaker wires..could I really "remember" what I just heard 45 seconds ago? I've had some amps that I could definitely cop a difference between them with the speaker wire switching deal...I wonder if I would have been able to tell yesterday with a 45 second delay between listening.
I am proud to say I was one of the drunks, er, I mean Science Audiophiles at yesterday's event. And my analysis of the SX-850 side-by-side, re-cap test is buried somewhere in the above numbers. However, I will leave it to others to debate those numbers, the variables and their opinions.
What I know is that you can't beat good music, good people, and good fun and games (thanks for the demo w1jim!).
Karma at its best... let the good times roll!
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I believe that this has been done (in depth) on another website.
Again, my goal was to have fun and not have any kind of definitive exercise. That being said I have formed my own opinions (as I am wont to do).
Comparing 2 components by switching wires leaves too much time between the samples and just ends up being an exercise in frustration (IMHO).
Deli - I'm sorry your attention was pulled in other directions and we a only got to chat briefly but still my goal was met because I know you had a good time - but 6 dozen C/C cookies? Who you trying to impress?!
JimB
The recapped one was the green light - the receiver on the right, not that you could tell from the outside.
Thanks for your participation and feedback.
myu701
Vintage futurist
Thanks so much for posting about this, Jim.
The really good thing is that you can safely say that the sound was definitely not compromised with the recap. That's the thing--there are some people out there who say with recapping you change the character and lose that "original" sound. The most important thing is to find that the change is not for the worse... either imperceptible or a slight improvement. But the biggest gain is the peace of mind that you've got new components in place, so the component is ready for many more years of service.
Based on this test you've done, I think it's a major :thmbsp: sign on doing recaps.
Thanks!
The really good thing is that you can safely say that the sound was definitely not compromised with the recap. That's the thing--there are some people out there who say with recapping you change the character and lose that "original" sound. The most important thing is to find that the change is not for the worse... either imperceptible or a slight improvement. But the biggest gain is the peace of mind that you've got new components in place, so the component is ready for many more years of service.
Based on this test you've done, I think it's a major :thmbsp: sign on doing recaps.
Thanks!
When I replace the Xunda and other cheap caps in 640P's with Panasonic's there is an audible difference right there. Makes me wonder how much they save by putting in cheaper ones.
When I looked in my Yamaha C4 I was surprised to find good quality caps throughout. The replacements I am going to use are no better than the originals so it will only be age and the risk of breakdown as the reason. If it does sound better that's a bonus IMO.
BinaryMike
Pelagic EE
Jim, did you segregate the low-level signal wiring from the speaker relay wiring before the event, or did you leave those wires in close proximity as shown in the most recent photos of the switching system in this thread?
Mike - The wiring was as shown in the last photo with the smaller relay. While it may not be the best practice I don't feel that it degraded the signal
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awise1961
Super Member
Jim's system and test set up were piece to behold for sure, and his ability to keep things light and comical kept it all from being too anylitical.
Great job Jim.
We lab rats even had a great variety of cheese to choose from.
Just made sure to stay away from those red hot dogs though.
They looked like they needed a dose of antibiotics.
It was a lot of fun.
Al. Wise
Great job Jim.
We lab rats even had a great variety of cheese to choose from.
Just made sure to stay away from those red hot dogs though.
They looked like they needed a dose of antibiotics.
It was a lot of fun.
Al. Wise
BinaryMike
Pelagic EE
I find myself unable to agree, because I've seen outright oscillation result from routing small-signal wiring this close to power amplifier output wiring in an amplifier chassis. While I strongly support such attempts to distinguish between perception and reality in sound reproduction, this error is more than sufficient to invalidate the results. Do let me know if you decide to make another attempt. I'll be happy to contribute funds to assist with switch box improvements, if that's an issue. Wish I could be there...
Well then so be it.
We had fun and that was our goal so I can only say that I'm sorry for disappointing you. I'm sure it won't be the first time
.I don't plan on redoing the exercise and don't plan on having both of these receivers in my collection in perpetuity.