What happpens when capacitors deteriorate?

[wilbucd]

....for instance a Type AA crossover on a Khorn. It has three caps that everyone says to replace if they are over 20 years old. How do old caps affect the sound? If everything else in the chain is working properly what improvements can be expected by replaceing the caps?

[JJkizak]

Made a world of difference in mine. Balanced up both Khorns, resurected the Cornwall from the dead. Cleaned up everything. Then I gave my old networks away to some happy people who didn't understand the physical laws and constants that exist in our Milky Way Galaxy. It's like putting 4 OEM tires on a car even if they are all flat.

JJK

[seti]

If I remember correctly they become resistive and steal energy. If I'm wrong hopefully Bob Crites will set me straight.

[Groomlakearea51]

they become resistive and steal energy

I hate it when good caps go bad.... they start resisting, stealing energy, public displays of antisocial behavior, will it ever end?[][]

[Don Richard]

The capacitance value changes as it ages, changing the crossover frequencies.

[artto]

They will explode and send shrapnel cutting right through the wood destroying the entire speaker system and damaging interior walls and floors. Hopefully it won't explode while you are applying full power which might result in even further damage casuing personal injury or even death.

[wilbucd]

So is a Radio Shack cap as good as a Bob Crites cap or is this like arguing Ford vs. Chevrolet?

[Don Richard]

Using Rat Shack caps in your crossover isn't a good idea - Bob's are of a much higher quality. You could use good polypropylene caps from other manufacturers as well.

[seti]

I paid a pair of his A crossovers. They do not have tweeter protection but so far so good. I put them in the Klipsch top on the other side of the original crossovers.

http://cgi.ebay.com/New-Replacement-Crossover-Klipsch-Type-A-Pair-Cedar_W0QQitemZ370115348223QQcmdZViewItemQQptZSpeakers_Subwoofers?hash=item370115348223&_trksid=p3911.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1318

Here is a pair of AA crossovers. They do have tweeter protection but so far so good.

http://cgi.ebay.com/New-Replacement-Crossover-Klipsch-Type-AA-Pair-Cedar_W0QQitemZ370117006934QQcmdZViewItemQQptZSpeakers_Subwoofers?hash=item370117006934&_trksid=p3911.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1318

[artto]

#1 So is a Radio Shack cap as good as a Bob Crites cap?

#2 or is this like arguing Ford vs. Chevrolet?

#1 DON'T DO IT (Radio Shack that is)

#2 More like Ford vs Ferrari

[mark1101]

Usually what one hears is nothing noticable. The caps get resisive so slowly over time the sound degradation is not usually noticed. What is actually happening is that the tweeter usually loses its zip......loses its crispy top end. Recap the nets and it comes back sizzling./p>

[BLSamuel]

#1 So is a Radio Shack cap as good as a Bob Crites cap?

#2 or is this like arguing Ford vs. Chevrolet?

#1 DON'T DO IT (Radio Shack that is)

#2 More like Ford vs Ferrari

So more like Ford Fiesta (remember those) vs. Chevrolet Corvette? (ok, not a Ferrari but pretty good bang for the buck I've been told)