Is it okay to recapping the 4.7uF coupling capacitor with 2.2uF?

[Rangwan]

I've bought some cheap amp kit with 4.7uF "Elite" capacitor used for input coupling. And what I currently have is 2.2uF "Nichicon muse ES", if I recapped it, what would be happen with the sound characteristic?

[tom66]

Lower capacitance = less bass in general.

Depends what the input resistance is.

[Rangwan]

Thx for reply, btw which capacitor affects the sound quality the most (all electrolytic capacitor present is from "Elite")?

(which one should I had it recapped?)

[budm]

You can learn more here:
http://sound.westhost.com/articles/coupling-caps.htm
http://www.bext.com/replace.htm
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/41...ctrolytic-caps
By the way, Sawat Dee Kha.

[mariushm]

The datasheet for TDA2003 shows a typical application of the chip with a schematic on page 6 which kind of looks like yours:

http://www.st.com/internet/com/TECHN...CD00000123.pdf

On that circuit, they use a 2.2uF capacitor

Further in the datasheet it says that its purpose is Input DC decoupling and using a lower capacitor may cause noise at switch on or switch off. So I think you will be fine with a 4.7uF capacitor.

IMHO there's no point to bother with the quality of capacitors, because the audio chip is not capable of some super high quality sound, or quality enough that capacitors would matter.

After all, it barely does 8 watts of sound at 16v, with a 40Hz-15kHz range, just enough to cover what a MP3 melody has at 112-128kbps.

Be sure to use a good heatsink with this chip.

[999999999]

If this is in a sealed or at least hot running enclosure, replacing the 220uF cap C4 might at some point might be helpful, with a major Japanese brand rated for 105C temperature.

Otherwise I would think about using a 2.2uF film capacitor for the audio input coupling cap C2 and not care much if the low end rolls off a little higher since this is a fairly current limited amp.

However, this isn't a very valuable amp as mariushm pointed out, it may not be worth the trouble to do more than have it working properly and you can save the more valuable components for use on another amp.

[Koda]

Also I have used Elite capacitors before (EB series to be exact) and I'm pretty satisfied with their endurance. First time I used them was on a 7300 GT about year and half ago and it's still running without any signs of failure. Although chinese, Elite capacitors are a lot better then most of the other chinese brands. My LCD monitor asus 19" has Elites and its nearly 5 years old, no problems so far also.

[tom66]

Originally Posted by Koda

Also I have used Elite capacitors before (EB series to be exact) and I'm pretty satisfied with their endurance. First time I used them was on a 7300 GT about year and half ago and it's still running without any signs of failure. Although chinese, Elite capacitors are a lot better then most of the other chinese brands. My LCD monitor asus 19" has Elites and its nearly 5 years old, no problems so far also.

I hate to break your bubble but Elites are common failures in Dell and HP monitors. You could just be lucky.

http://www.badcaps.net/forum/attachm...0&d=1337492653

[Koda]

Hey, I didn't say they were top of the line capacitors, I'm just saying they are much better then other chinese brands, you know... the ones that are failing within a month.
Also since the problem with elites mostly occurs in Dell and HP monitors maybe it is due to poor heat management? We've seen rubycons fail under intense heat. Yeah you guys hate chinese caps but not all of them can be that bad, not excellent but good enough...

http://www.badcaps.net/forum/showthr...ighlight=elite

[tom66]

Originally Posted by Koda

Hey, I didn't say they were top of the line capacitors, I'm just saying they are much better then other chinese brands, you know... the ones that are failing within a month.
Also since the problem with elites mostly occurs in Dell and HP monitors maybe it is due to poor heat management? We've seen rubycons fail under intense heat. Yeah you guys hate chinese caps but not all of them can be that bad, not excellent but good enough...

http://www.badcaps.net/forum/showthr...ighlight=elite

Lelon seems okay. Not seen one bulge in a field of failed CapXon and Elite. Lelon is Taiwanese. Wouldn't use them as replacements though.