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RE: How Many Years Can You Expect AMP Caps To Last?

68.103.3.192

Ron Oehlert

In Reply to: RE: How Many Years Can You Expect AMP Caps To Last? posted by Dynaudio_Rules on February 03, 2010 at 12:24:37

Depends on the capacitor construction. Solid-dialectric types can outlast You; chemical dialectric types, perhaps after a couple decades due solely to their acidic corrosion. I've a Kit amplifier I assembled in the 1960's & Today it exhibits a momentary slight Hum upon power-on. Once tubes are warmed up the Hum vanishes & amplifier functions flawlessly, but the slight turn-on hum is indicative of the electro-chemical constructed capacitors within the power supply circut nearing their useful lifespan after nearly half a Century (IOW it takes them longer to charge up compared to when new). I've a 1929 Radio with Wax capacitors that only began exhibing Hum at the turn of the Century ten years ago; the Radio has always been in the family since it was purchsaed new by my Aunt & Uncle.

Follow Ups:

Does This Mean Anything? - Dynaudio_Rules 15:45:54 02/03/10 (4)
I have an amp that when turned on the first 30 seconds or so is very bass heavy, then gradually evens out. Afterwards the bass is still there but the overall sound is more even with extended highs like normal.

BTW, I just noticed this after I installed a new powercord.

Music is the Bridge between Heaven and Earth - 音楽は天国と地球のかけ橋
- RE: Does This Mean Anything? - Ron Oehlert 18:31:50 02/04/10 (2)
  If it is a vacuum tube circut, it means the tubes have finally reached normal operating conditions; 30 seconds is really not long enough for the tubes to fully warm up.
  - RE: Does This Mean Anything? - Dynaudio_Rules 18:52:39 02/04/10 (1)
    Thanks but this is a solid state amp...
    
    Music is the Bridge between Heaven and Earth - 音楽は天国と地球のかけ橋
    - RE: Does This Mean Anything? - Ron Oehlert 15:18:59 02/06/10 (0)
      Then it likely means an aging large capacitance value electro-chemical constructed capacitor now takes a while become fully charged (it should be replaced after all these years). Largest-value capacitors can be found in power supplys & in cap-coupled speaker outputs.
- Anyone with any ideas for the above post?...nt - Dynaudio_Rules 12:44:04 02/04/10 (0)
  .
  
  Music is the Bridge between Heaven and Earth - 音楽は天国と地球のかけ橋

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