PEI330Ci

Just wanted to start something fun here. Has anybody done a blind listening test to see how adding a capacitor changes the SOUND in their system.

There is always lots of talk on this subject on install forums. Mostly people talk about how their lights dim on hard bass hits, and then go on to ask if adding a capacitor will help this.

Well I don't care about that. Has anybody with ears (I mean real audiophiles) actually found any difference with a capacitor hooked up to their amp(s)? I don't mean to discriminate by asking for qualified ears, but most people will be mislead by the nature of my question.

Ok, I'll admit it. I have 2 capacitors, one for each amplifier in my system, and I don't know if they make any difference SQ wise. Why? Because silly boy here hasn't taken the time to do a blind listening test himself. (For those that don't know, I'm separated from my car until Xmas.) Once I get my front stage properly set up, I'll be qualified to offer an opinion on this. But until then, anyone care to comment?

Adam

PEI330Ci

Thanks for the reply Dave [img]graemlins/thumb.gif[/img]

By the way, your review of the Audison VRx2.400 was what sent me to hear one in person. Good write up on a great product. Would you consider this amplifier un-regulated?

Thanks,
Adam

TomK

I have never REALLY tested capacitors from an SQ listening point of view (Althogh I have owned them and installed them into my system way back when). But I've read some pretty convincing articles that basically said "almost" all these big capacitors are junk, ESPECIALLY the ones with digital displays WITH REGARDS to improving your SQ. I'd put my money into the charging system to make sure it's working properly and into batteries.

lemonlime

From a sound perspective, I doubt that it would make much of a difference, Like Dave said above, only with unregulated amps at high volume.

Regulated amps can still benefit from a capacitor though. You will likely hear no difference regardless of volume level, however it will help provide the p/supply with a more constant voltage with less peaks and dips. I could be wrong, however a regulated power supply will produce more heat when the voltage drops, so I suppose adding a capacitor could help with this problem.

These new '100 farad' capacitors that I have been seeing seem like a bit of a waste to me. I've seen people use these with a 500 watt amplifier which seems like quite a waste to me, especially considering the capacitor costs as much as the amp.

My Xtant 603x has a very regulated power supply, but I was still considering a .5 farad capacitor, for $40 or so, I figure it couldn't hurt [img]smile.gif[/img]

Number 2

iTrader: (1)

I might catch some flack for this, but I think a cap is very helpfull in an SQ system. I don't have a ton of power but I stil luse a 1 farad cap and I like having steady voltage, no more ghetto headlight dimming. And aparently it filters out AC current coming through, so you are less likly to alternator wine and such.
They are a low cost addition to put more gear in your system. People always talk about caps hear and for SPL guys they are a waste. I'd invest in a HO alt.

Loud Brown Kicker Colt

iTrader: (1)

i use regulated amps and can hear the difference.the cap really cleans up the battery voltage,i had some alt whine & switching noise,it's inaudable now. [img]graemlins/thumb.gif[/img]

Chadxton

iTrader: (1)

Alternators get drunk?

SUX 2BU

iTrader: (1)

I once heard a clear difference when a cap discharged. It was on a demo board at a store. 1F cap, forget which amp it was (might have been a Punch 40i or 100). This was a few years ago. Anyway, listening to test CD with tones on it. Played a 40 Hz or so note at a decently high volume through a pair of subs on the board. Sounded fine for about 2 seconds, then the sound of the tone very much changed to one that sounded clipped. My summation was the cap discharged (which it will do on sustained bass notes) and the somewhat-weak power supply no longer had the help of the cap and ran out of current to supply the amp, which then clipped.

I have a 1F cap on my system and always have had a 1F cap since the early 90s. I wouldn't buy one nowadays unless I found a nice one cheap on Ebay or something but I feel they are useful to a degree and since I have one, I'll use it.

JohnVroom

Can a capacitor improve the sound- sure! For all the reasons mentioned above (all good electrically sound reasons). A capacitor by definition is a voltage tank circuit, that is, it opposes any change in voltage so it will filter AC or alternator whine to a point, it will help the regulated power supplies but the unregulated power supplies even more.
I just rewired my car from (2) 4 gauge to a single 0 gauge and that changed the sound of the system! I haven’t taken my 1 Farad cap out of the system but I am sure it could change the sound some though probably not much. I think it depends on where the weak link is, if it is the power supply then a cap can help. But we all work on stuff to give us the biggest bang for the buck "what change in the setup will make the most positive change in the sound". Once you have a system with good resolution then the changes can be heard.
Can a cap hurt SQ sure, hook it up with loose connections and it will be a system liability not to mention a safety hazard.
BTW at least one amp manufacturer believes that a stiffening capacitor will rob the power amp of power during transients and does not recommend caps!
If your lights dim get a cap. If you use hundreds of watts get a cap.