Replacing big Elna for Audio capacitors

[maho12]

Hi every one
I have a Sony TA-N90ES power amplifier, Generally I am really happy with this amplifier and 2 years ago I replaced all electrolytic capacitors with new audiograde nichicon and elna caps. But now I am thing about big power supply caps. Genrally they are having a good conditions, Because I am cheaking capacitans of them 16000uf. But I know capacitors are after long time going bad position. So my question is...

1- this capacitors are normal value 18000uf but now ı am checking 16000uf, your thing this lost is normal?
2- this two capacitors are really good build quality, for example they have gold plated leg and really big jacket. I thing they are from elna top grade capacitors. But your thing after 23 years pass they still keep nice sound quality? or god idea to must replace them?
3- Now elna not produce this style capacitors and also with gold pin. So I am a founding now nichicon kg super through 22000uf 80v series. They have same big jacket and gold plated pins. Your thing good idea changeing them with nichicon good idea?

thank you answers

 

[avionic]

1- this capacitors are normal value 18000uf but now ı am checking 16000uf, your thing this lost is normal?

Thats less than 20%.loss probably still within tolerance.

 

[triode17]

Maho - I found out the hard way you can't just test the capacitors value, you have to test for current leakage and ESR. If either of those two conditions read at a high level, the caps won't work as well as they should. 23 years is not that long but i know that manufacturers only will guarantee a shelf life of ten years, unused. If you have been regularly using this amp, they may be OK. Its your call as to whether to change them. I would.

 

[sssboa]

If money don't matter, change them. 23 years ain't long but I'm not sure if they made very good caps in mid 1990s. Also if you replaced all other caps then make the recap complete.

 

[maho12]

Maho - I found out the hard way you can't just test the capacitors value, you have to test for current leakage and ESR. If either of those two conditions read at a high level, the caps won't work as well as they should. 23 years is not that long but i know that manufacturers only will guarantee a shelf life of ten years, unused. If you have been regularly using this amp, they may be OK. Its your call as to whether to change them. I would.

I understand, I havent test ESR but I thing for 23 years ego technology difficult produce vey low esr caps. The problem is this capacitors didnt have some pdf technical document. this for impossible I check current. This is for I am not sure about current. But Nichicon KG has really good current leakage. For example beter than same value Mundorf HC series.

 

[maho12]

If money don't matter, change them. 23 years ain't long but I'm not sure if they made very good caps in mid 1990s. Also if you replaced all other caps then make the recap complete.

I all ready order one pair of Nichicon KG super through. I will try later but I have same idea about time. to day capacitor chemistry and and technology beter then 23 years ago

 

[Binkman]

You can add 5% of meter accuracy and your meter may be lesser accurate at higher uf. Order if you like..Elna good quality caps do reform, but if ordering keep them. ( I have a unit with elna's w/very large high quality caps, that elna doesn't make anymore, that are still good.

 

[Goldie99]

Ditto - I'm running an (almost) fully recapped Sony TA-F222ES - the 'almost' means with the exception of 2X 12,000uF / 63V Elna caps, which are still original and good after +/- 30 years. They measured at 12,750uF & 12,830uF, with both at 0.01 Ohms, or less, ESR.

Couldn't bring myself to change them, not until absolutely necessary - it'll change the 'appearance' totally when it is done.

 

[sssboa]

I had same dilemma with my Sony STR-6065 and Marantz 2270. Original caps were still good. I replaced them with higher voltage caps and I had that worry free feeling since then.

 

[sssboa]

Also I saw a vid on YouTube. Panasonic filter caps of Technics su-3500, in my opinion better than Elna were bulged. Despite that they measured good capacitance and esr. So much for our Chinese cap testers.

 

[maho12]

You can add 5% of meter accuracy and your meter may be lesser accurate at higher uf. Order if you like..Elna good quality caps do reform, but if ordering keep them. ( I have a unit with elna's w/very large high quality caps, that elna doesn't make anymore, that are still good.

Binkman I know all electrolytics caps are they have some life span. So your thing after 23 years pass this elna caps are possible still in good condition? Because SONY TA-N90ES amp is working really warm, and I know if capacitors are working ing warm place that time life mor short then normal.
Also your thing installing 22000uf capacitors a bad idea? because 18000 up to 22000 not much difirent and for power supply use not problem I thing this

 

[timblade68]

Nichicon Super Through are seriously great sounding, musical caps.

 

[KKnight]

Hi every one
I have a Sony TA-N90ES power amplifier, Generally I am really happy with this amplifier and 2 years ago I replaced all electrolytic capacitors with new audiograde nichicon and elna caps. But now I am thing about big power supply caps. Genrally they are having a good conditions, Because I am cheaking capacitans of them 16000uf. But I know capacitors are after long time going bad position. So my question is...

1- this capacitors are normal value 18000uf but now ı am checking 16000uf, your thing this lost is normal?
2- this two capacitors are really good build quality, for example they have gold plated leg and really big jacket. I thing they are from elna top grade capacitors. But your thing after 23 years pass they still keep nice sound quality? or god idea to must replace them?
3- Now elna not produce this style capacitors and also with gold pin. So I am a founding now nichicon kg super through 22000uf 80v series. They have same big jacket and gold plated pins. Your thing good idea changeing them with nichicon good idea?

thank you answers

Those Nichicon KG series, if you can obtain them fresh and authentic now, are good lytics. A subject that must have 10,000 posts in AK archives if you do some research instead of relying on just a few replies here. You have to remember that the KG series sell and are supposedly engineered for the AUDIO paths, not the power supply paths. If you research some other forums here like the Pioneer, Marantz, Sansui etc you'll see that there are better series to replace the Elna's in a power supply than the KG's. Youve already ordered them but use this as a rule-of-thumb:
-Any general grade electrolytic capacitor used in manufactured vintage amps and receivers only had a shelf and use life of 10 years. Written in stone. Ive replaced what seems like a ton of the Elna PS lytics, and they are useless to re-use again and are really just big resistors after 40+ years..
-Make sure you only use reputable suppliers. Counterfeit rates as of last year was pushing 50%.
-What counts is, just like beer, is date of manufacturer and freshness for any electrolytic capacitor. Also written in stone.
-You can always go a step higher in voltage. Doesnt matter as voltage ratings are the limit. Just watch out for physical size.

 

[pete_mac]

You have to remember that the KG series sell and are supposedly engineered for the AUDIO paths, not the power supply paths
.

Sorry, but I completely disagree with that statement.

The Nichicon KG line features a great many values and voltages which are specifically designed for power supply use. The KG (and earlier versions like the Nichicon Great Supply) are superb power supply caps.