What if you prefer the tants over film or electrolytic?
@EmmathomFor instance, J. Hiraga advises and uses Muse BP in his low signal path boards (pre RIAA, Dac, etc)
Ok ok Per... some rules are really gold ones like "I never change a good capacitor" and you're rightI will try to rate my choices here - but beware there are a number of exeptions - depending on application :
Audio :
1) Ceramic NP0/C0G - If the size of the case makes sense + can get them.
2) Electrolytes if I need big values and they are followed by something where leakage isn't critical - usually OpAmps.
3) Filmcapacitors where I connect the Anode of a Tube to the next stage (passive or active). Manually mounted.
As most of my Production stuff is guitar pedals - NO Filmcapacitors, as they usually degrade really Badly in a Reflow-Oven.
4) Tantalum - when I need a big value and the above isn't an Option - like leakage + they will see about a third of their rated DC Voltage over them.
I would NEVER use a Tantalum if it will see zero Vdc. - as it will distort badly and sound shitty.
Power Supply :
1) Electrolytes.
2) Unless the size is small enough to consider Ceramic SMDs.
3) Tantalum - if it makes sense - this can be in relation to price / avaliable parts (defenitely a reason during Covid and for some time after).
Oh - and in repair situations - I NEVER change a good Capacitor ...!!!.... no matter the type. If the value and ESR is good and I don't have any leakage that give me problems. And just to be clear : I change a lot more Filmcapacitors than I change Elelctrolytes in old Tube gear - simply because they leak current into the next stage, and this can destroy the Tube that comes after .... Of cause old Oil- or Paper- capacitors are a lot worse (like what you find in old Teisco Amps).
So why do I recomend not changing the Tantalun in your Microphone - there isn't any room for one that will be an improvement. The Electrolytes you keep on suggesting might work as well as the original Tantalum in this application - but I have a hard time seeing them as an improvement. The Transformer might not care much about any DC Current through it in this application or it might react just as bad as those old Tradania wonder ones did.
In this regard I recomend listening to Jakob E. as he has much, much more experience than me, in regard to Line and Microphone Level Transformers - like how they sound and if they distort in a good or bad way
I also admit that sometimes it better if you make your own experiences - simply to learn - but keep an open mind, like did it truely make a difference or is it just because people tell you it will do so
Per
ps I didn't recomend 1µF 50V electrolytes in your application - it was an example from my previous work.
Enter your email address to join: