Opinions on different brands/series of capacitors in the audio path

[migidee]

I have read a lot about capacitors in the audio path on this site and others lately, and I have learned a ton.  Obviously there are the tangibles like ESR, temperature, etc.  but a lot of times specs dont directly translate to a better sound.  I know that an opinion is nothing but an opinion and not fact, but I know there is a lot of experience on this forum and I highly respect and value the opinions here.  I am curious of other peoples opinions on the price/performance of different caps.  For example:

Polypropylene

Wima mkp series= cheap, good price/performance with clear high freqs

Wima FKP series= more expensive,  Less audibly pleasing

Sprague orange drop= Used a lot in vintage gear, less hifi but a very musical, audibly pleasing sound

Polyester

Wima mks series= Cheaper than the mkp and fkp, good price/performance but not as hifi(clear) in the high freqs

Electrolytics

Panasonic FC series= built for audio applications, Clear/clean/detailed in the high freqs

Panasonic FM series= the same as above but a little cheper with less values available

Nichion He seies= similar to the FC

Nichion PW series= More lush(full) mid freqs, More musical sound

Phillips/BC= dont know much about the sound, but were used in vintage neve designs so are considered a good choice

Elna starget= tighter , more clear, transparent

Ceramic

brand?=  Generally frowned upon for audio applications for their track record.  It appears the type of dielectric matters a lot with these.  The general opinion appears to be go with the COG/NPO

Polystyrene

Brand?= Considered one of the best for audio at a premium price.  Used in vintage neve designs, described as bright, with a lot of high freq detail

Teflon

Brand?= Most expensive.  Considered the best for audio applications, clear and smoothh, but size of component may be limiting

Tantalum

Brand?= Do not appear to be a favorite of anyone in the audio path

However, I have heard of a lot of others that appear to be interesting and have not found a lot of info on.  And would love if anyone with experience with these could chime in with thier opininos, like:

Tropical fish?

Mustard caps?

Solen?

Hoveland?

Auricaps?

MIT?

Jensen PIO?

Russian PIO?

Mallory?

Cornell Dublier?

Mundorf?

Black Gates?

and any other brands you like?

 

[migidee]

here are some other good posts I found on the subject:

http://www.groupdiy.com/index.php?topic=7748.0

http://www.groupdiy.com/index.php?topic=36792.0

http://www.groupdiy.com/index.php?topic=35566.0

http://www.groupdiy.com/index.php?topic=42426.0

http://www.groupdiy.com/index.php?topic=23778.0

http://www.groupdiy.com/index.php?topic=6087.0

http://www.groupdiy.com/index.php?topic=744&highlight=pultec

http://www.groupdiy.com/index.php?topic=506.0

http://www.groupdiy.com/index.php?topic=2287

http://www.capacitors.com/picking_capacitors/pickcap.htm

http://www.groupdiy.com/index.php?topic=28779.0

 

[Gordy]

Hi,

Caps do not have a particular sound signature ('lush', 'fine mids', etc.) so ignore those who say they do.

Instead consider that they have electrical and electro-mechanical characteristics that you need to choose for your particular application. Experience suggests that Teflon and all of the Poly-type are fine, and that tantalum and cheap ceramic and not recommended. As for electrolytics, I've seen no problems when they have a bias voltage across them, but I think others might disagree.

Pass Labs, Naim, Bryston, EAR and many other long term hi-fi companies have used electrolytics in the direct signal loop and never had a problem with sales.

If you are going to send a lot of current through a cap (such as at the output of an amp) then that's a different challenge, and D. Self (in his amp design book) recommends a capacitance value way in excess of that calculated for frequency response alone.

 

[Gus]

read this

http://main.diycore.com/index.php?categories=Passive%20Components

All ceramics are not the same