If i have to think of one upgrade to my new DAC, this must be the replacement of the 2 WIMAs with something better / much better - like Jupiters, Mundorfs or even Auricap XOs .. But slowly .. sometime in the future .. And i am putting behind the thought of bypassing them (the current WIMAs in there) with a smaller film. This is how this thread was born - coming from my investigation on the subject of bypassing signal path caps, and stumbling across a clear statement from Auricap. NB this is not about DC / storage electrolytics - i bypass those whenever i can
I know there will be different views on this, so comments much welcome .. So here we go :
From the Auricap guys :
"BYPASSING
Do not use bypass capacitors in the signal path. A single capacitor for DC blocking/AC coupling creates a simple path with one time constant. The signal quality will be compromised if a bypass or multiple bypass capacitors are added to a signal path capacitor. Bypass capacitors were used in the past to bypass low quality film capacitors or electrolytic capacitors. The bypass was the lesser of two evils. With the advent of better quality film capacitors the need for a bypass capacitor was eliminated. Bypass capacitors create multiple signal paths with multiple time constants. These time constants are very short but they can still be heard as a smear or overall loss of focus.
Always bypass power supply capacitors. This maintains a low source impedance to the power supply over a wide bandwidth. If budget and space permit it is good to use multiple value power supply bypass capacitors with the smallest value being installed directly at the active device. (Tube or transistor.)"
More on this here :
http://www.audience-av.com/capacitors/a_applications.html
http://www.soundlabsgroup.com.au/c/Auricap-Application-Notes/Auricap+Instructions.html
http://electronicdesign.com/boards/don-t-bypass-your-capacitor
And some interesting further reading - debates on subject :
http://diy.koenigs.dk/2014/02/26/hot-rodding-with-film-caps/
http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/analog-line-level/239757-bypass-ceramic-film.html
http://www.northcreekmusic.com/CapacitorFAQ.html
http://www.seattlerobotics.org/encoder/jun97/basics.html
http://www.planetanalog.com/document.asp?doc_id=527521&site=planetanalog
http://www.enjoythemusic.com/diy/0708/capacitor3.htm
http://www.audionervosa.com/index.php?topic=4894.0
So what takes ? Can we agree on 3 ground rules :
1. Never bypass signal path caps
2. Always bypass filter / large electrolytics
3. Never have electrolytics in signal path - always replace with film caps
Regards,
Ilko
I know there will be different views on this, so comments much welcome .. So here we go :
From the Auricap guys :
"BYPASSING
Do not use bypass capacitors in the signal path. A single capacitor for DC blocking/AC coupling creates a simple path with one time constant. The signal quality will be compromised if a bypass or multiple bypass capacitors are added to a signal path capacitor. Bypass capacitors were used in the past to bypass low quality film capacitors or electrolytic capacitors. The bypass was the lesser of two evils. With the advent of better quality film capacitors the need for a bypass capacitor was eliminated. Bypass capacitors create multiple signal paths with multiple time constants. These time constants are very short but they can still be heard as a smear or overall loss of focus.
Always bypass power supply capacitors. This maintains a low source impedance to the power supply over a wide bandwidth. If budget and space permit it is good to use multiple value power supply bypass capacitors with the smallest value being installed directly at the active device. (Tube or transistor.)"
http://www.audience-av.com/capacitors/a_applications.html
http://www.soundlabsgroup.com.au/c/Auricap-Application-Notes/Auricap+Instructions.html
http://electronicdesign.com/boards/don-t-bypass-your-capacitor
And some interesting further reading - debates on subject :
http://diy.koenigs.dk/2014/02/26/hot-rodding-with-film-caps/
http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/analog-line-level/239757-bypass-ceramic-film.html
http://www.northcreekmusic.com/CapacitorFAQ.html
http://www.seattlerobotics.org/encoder/jun97/basics.html
http://www.planetanalog.com/document.asp?doc_id=527521&site=planetanalog
http://www.enjoythemusic.com/diy/0708/capacitor3.htm
http://www.audionervosa.com/index.php?topic=4894.0
So what takes ? Can we agree on 3 ground rules :
1. Never bypass signal path caps
2. Always bypass filter / large electrolytics
3. Never have electrolytics in signal path - always replace with film caps
Regards,
Ilko
