Someone recently tried to tell me that MTX amps are superior to others because they don't use round capacitors on their boards. He went on to say that any amplifier has a limited life span because the caps will ultimately degrade, bleed & fail. He has gathered this info from the MTX website, don't know where. One of their tech sheets probably.
My initial response to all that is - WTF? But before I run off at the mouth too much, is there anything to this, anything REAL that is? I've got 20+ yr old amps running great, sounding warmer than new & nice big ole round caps in 'em. Thoughts?
Theoretically, if a cap is pushed to its voltage threshhold, without overloading it and making the side rupture(electrolytic). This would have to be done over and over for a long period of time which is practically impossible. This is the only way to make a capacitor leak voltage across its insulator. This is not goning to happen regular usage. It wouldn't be a concern to me. I personally deal MTX and if you cant sell the amps (which really are quite good) on just what they have to offer without stretching it like that then you aren't going to sell them.
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Good Luck!
-Thad
Electrolytic capacitors do dry out and short internally when they get older. Common problem with restoring old radios.
Jim
Ok so the caps do dry up . . . $10 to $20 and a soldering iron and your good to go. The shape shouldn't make any difference. The internal materials are what make a difference. Electolytics are the cheaper of the materials and you can get a relatively large value of capacitance in a small package.
But the same type of eloctrolytic caps are used in all amps. Some amps might have a few film caps but it's not cost efective for manufacterers and it doesn't make an audible diifference in an amp, so why do it? Temperature ratings are more important. I'd look to see if an amp uses 105 degree vs 85 degree caps. I know for a fact that sometimes mid way through a production run they'll switch, so you can have 2 of the same amp and one has 105 degree on the ouput stage while the other uses 85 degree.
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