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Not married to...just Dayton

acme97

acme97

New Member
I'm a casual stereo enthusiast back from the dead, like a 33-year layoff. Who would've thought.

Anyway, my hobby/skill involvement is limited to re-foams and replacing caps in simple, low/mid-level speakers. Nothing high-end.

Seems Dayton Audio is a good choice for recapping simple crossovers, correct? Old '60s The Fisher XP-series bookshelf speakers, and some old AR TSW 210's from the '80s. Those are my two little projects.

I've read about some boutique components, but don't seem worth the money for these projects. I suppose maybe for some true classics, or hi-end audio.

Thoughts? Thanks!
 
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I consider the value of the speakers when I recap. I don't pay more for caps than the speaker is worth.

I've acquired some throw-away speakers where electrolytic caps cost as much as the speakers are worth. So, that is what I use for them. I've got the knowledge and parts to recap those speakers. So, even though I often donate them to a thrift, I want them to sound as good as they can for the next user.

The speakers that I acquire for less than $200 get Daytons, Audyns, etc. Depending upon the complexity of the crossover, I've spent $40 to $50 for caps.

I have not yet bought a used speaker for more than $200, but when I do, I may consider using higher priced boutique caps.
 
Some feel the closer tolerance Dayton film caps sound better. I don't hear it, but then my ears are old. Dayton, Audyn, Solen and Mundorf are my go to crossover caps. RTally is right. Consider the value of the speaker first, along with if you intend on keeping them.
 
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I often use Daytons but Sonicaps are hard to beat for their price.

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acme97 said:
Seems Dayton Audio is a good choice for recapping simple crossovers, correct?
Click to expand...
Same cap as Bennic XPP series.

Shop around and save yourself 30% - 40% on most sizes by buying the Bennics.

Some less common values are found only in one brand or the other, not both.
 
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Some, make some big claims about high priced caps.......

With that being said, I have found zero actual evidence (beyond anecdotal tales) that any of these people could really tell the difference when blind to what is being used.

That may be important, in that, after a few decades of having no concrete evidence, kinda speaks for itself,
 
My recapping experience is very limited. I used Sonicaps in a pair of Norman Labs model 8's. In hindsight, I probably shouldn't have used such pricey caps in such inexpensive speakers. They did however greatly improve the sound. Since I don't plan on ever selling them, the cost is irrelevant. I've also used them in a pair of higher end speakers, and couldn't hear any difference between them and the original caps.

I've only used the Dayton's once, in a pair of NHT Super Ones. The speakers sounded good before the recap. I just wanted to see if I could make them sound better. Well, the Dayton's made them sound worse. I even tried adding a bypass cap (as was suggested by a fellow member), which didn't help.

Some like the Dayton's. Others are not impressed. Of those, several have suggested using the Clarity CSA as a relatively inexpensive alternative to the Dayton's. At some point, I plan to recap the NHT with Clarity. https://www.partsconnexion.com/capacitors-film-claritycap-csa-esa-250vdc-series.html

Some are unable to hear much (if any) difference between components (caps, IC's, speaker wire, etc.) while others are hyper sensitive to those difference.
 
I love how my recently acquired 1979-1980 Technics Linear Phase SB-6060's sound.
They appear to be in great shape.
I am afraid recapping might change the sound that I love.
They are time aligned and phase coherent, which was quite a feat back then.
Green Mountain Audio's line featured the same thing on their early 1990's through 2010 line of speakers.
 
I'll second the Clarity CSAs. When comparing my old speakers to my new ones my son could easily tell which speakers were playing and he preferred the new. After putting the CSA caps in the old speakers he had a hard time telling which was playing. Note: both sets are very efficient and play within 2dB of each other, as measured by an app on my phone (yes, I know my phone is not precise) so difference in volume was not an issue. YMMV.
 
Dr. Ears said:
I love how my recently acquired 1979-1980 Technics Linear Phase SB-6060's sound.
They appear to be in great shape.
I am afraid recapping might change the sound that I love.
They are time aligned and phase coherent, which was quite a feat back then.
Green Mountain Audio's line featured the same thing on their early 1990's through 2010 line of speakers.
Click to expand...
Knowing you have a baseline now, will let you know when the caps are ready (loss of high/mids that you're familiar with). Happened to me with a pair of used Heresy II's, detail was incredible until it wasn't (Dayton caps, better than when purchased).
 
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