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Sonicap Capacitor Cost

3

33and1/3rd

New Member
Why have Sonicap capacitors gone up in price? I'm not talking double, but about 5x the cost of what they used to be a couple of years ago. Just puzzled by the price increase.

Is there any places other thank sonicaft, they can be purchased from?
 
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33and1/3rd said:
Why have Sonicap capacitors gone up in price? I'm not talking double, but about 5x the cost of what they used to be a couple of years ago. Just puzzled by the price increase.

Is there any places other thank sonicaft, they can be purchased from?
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I'm not sure about costs, as I've yet to try Sonicaps. But, when I have priced out capacitors, Sonicraft is usually the cheapest. Though, you could also check with Danny Richie at GR Research. Danny carries Sonicaps too.
 
StimpyWan said:
I'm not sure about costs, as I've yet to try Sonicaps. But, when I have priced out capacitors, Sonicraft is usually the cheapest. Though, you could also check with Danny Richie at GR Research. Danny carries Sonicaps too.
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Thanks for the info. These prices are crazy. Hopefully he has the values I need, at a reasonable price.
 
EarlK said:
There's SonicCraft Gen1 and then there's Gen2.

Any chance you're comparing Apples to Oranges ??

:)
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Gen 1. I really enjoy their capacitors, warm and musical, with the right amount of detail. But their prices are out of hand. I did a recap on a pair of HPM 100s a few years ago and total recap was about $70. Now it's about $300
 
After looking at prices of various capacitors compared to the Sonicap. I found that I can get some Auricap XO for much cheaper. I hear nothing but positives about them. How do you think they compare to the Sonicaps?
 
33and1/3rd said:
After looking at prices of various capacitors compared to the Sonicap. I found that I can get some Auricap XO for much cheaper. I hear nothing but positives about them. How do you think they compare to the Sonicaps?
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33and1/3rd said:
After looking at prices of various capacitors compared to the Sonicap. I found that I can get some Auricap XO for much cheaper. I hear nothing but positives about them. How do you think they compare to the Sonicaps?
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I have to imagine that Clarity Cap has a series that will deliver what you are used to, at a price you can afford ( though, I have no personal experience with the brand ).

Gen 1. I really enjoy their capacitors, warm and musical, with the right amount of detail.
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Your words nicely track what Tony Gee says about the ClarityCap CSA series ( plus that CSA series garners the same 8+ rating as the Gen1 Sonic-Cap. I have no personal experience here with either ).
- FYI, that CSA series is quite a bit more affordable than the Auricap Xo series ( over at Parts-Connexion ).

FWIW, I usually use surplus modern-type, ( MPP in Oil ) motor-runs to deliver those qualities of "warm, musical and affordable" > though finding the needed values is usually a chore.
- Modern motor-runs can easily be bypassed with small value Film+Foil poly-type caps to deliver some extra detail if desired ( I prefer PolyStyrene vs Polypropylene for this duty since that dielectric adds a softer sort of HF >> less "etched" >> at least to my ears ).
- Coincidentally (??) most motor-runs score ( on the TonyG scale ) in that very same area ( of 8 to 9 ).
- I'll confirm that I think higher voltage (>600V ) modern Motor-Runs sound better >> simply having a better lower range with better midrange clarity ( I use a 27uF value in my Hi-Pass circuit going to my Altec 288//EmilarH500 >> Horn/Driver combo ).

:)
 
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Cylontymany said:
Well, They have a Monopoly on Polk Speakers using the 34uf Maybe one reason.
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Yup, they are huge in the Polk community. I remember Sonicap being a bargin for those looking for a musical capacitor, compared to boutique capacitors. However they have now become a boutique capacitor, in some cases costing more than its higher priced competitors. Auricap XO can be had cheaper.

I ended up purchasing a set of Auricap XO. I hope I end up liking them.
 
EarlK said:
I have to imagine that Clarity Cap has a series that will deliver what you are used to, at a price you can afford ( though, I have no personal experience with the brand ).



Your words nicely track what Tony Gee says about the ClarityCap CSA series ( plus that CSA series garners the same 8+ rating as the Gen1 Sonic-Cap. I have no personal experience here with either ).
- FYI, that CSA series is quite a bit more affordable than the Auricap Xo series ( over at Parts-Connexion ).

FWIW, I usually use surplus modern-type, ( MPP in Oil ) motor-runs to deliver those qualities of "warm, musical and affordable" > though finding the needed values is usually a chore.
- Modern motor-runs can easily be bypassed with small value Film+Foil poly-type caps to deliver some extra detail if desired ( I prefer PolyStyrene vs Polypropylene for this duty since that dielectric adds a softer sort of HF >> less "etched" >> at least to my ears ).
- Coincidentally (??) most motor-runs score ( on the TonyG scale ) in that very same area ( of 8 to 9 ).
- I'll confirm that I think higher voltage (>600V ) modern Motor-Runs sound better >> simply having a better lower range with better midrange clarity ( I use a 27uF value in my Hi-Pass circuit going to my Altec 288//EmilarH500 >> Horn/Driver combo ).

:)
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Thanks for a well depth reply. I have recapped a 2nd pair of HPM 100s with ClarityCap ESA. I did enjoy these caps, super clear and neutral with no added coloration. I didn't find them as musical as the Sonicaps.
 
Yes the Polk folks are dead set on using the 34uf instead of a 33uf Its a shame that Sonicap is the only one producing that value. And I will +1 on the Clarity Cap CSA they are the best bang for the buck. But to be politically Polk correct I will most likely get the 34uf for my Polk Monitor 7B with original peerless tweets.
 
33and1/3rd said:
Why have Sonicap capacitors gone up in price? I'm not talking double, but about 5x the cost of what they used to be a couple of years ago. Just puzzled by the price increase.

Is there any places other thank sonicaft, they can be purchased from?
Click to expand...

Not that I am aware of. What values do you need? For the new price increase you may be better off going to Miflex copper foils which may be a similar in price and sound better.
 
I also really like the Miflex copper foil caps. The Sonicaps are quite nice compared to the caps used in many commercial speakers, but IMO, the Miflex are a step up. Excellent clarity with nice tone. They are a little more forward sounding than the Sonicaps (which I like) which results in excellent sound stage depth.

Another cap I've played with that has exceptional transparency is the VCAP ODAM. These are not outrageously priced and are not ridiculously large. They are probably the most neutral sounding caps I've heard - super clean without adding much if any coloration. If you like a pure sound, this may be worth checking out. I personally prefer a bit more tonal richness that that Miflex caps provide, but they aren't as neutral sounding.
 
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