PEI330Ci

ChinaMan,

I've been down this road recently.

Tolerance is only an issue if hitting a specific value of capacitance or resistance improves the sound quality. Simply going from a 10% to a 1% value component alone usually isn't the source of the sonic improvement. For example, using a 100uf Capacitor with with a 10% tolerance means it falls between 90 and 110uF. Unders some circumstances, (power supplies come to mind) you can accidently improve the energy stored by using lower tolerance components. Again...it's purely by chance.

At this point, I'm sure some of you are saying "but higher tolerance parts are built better".

Gentlemen, let me explain how this works. A batch of 100 parts are made. They measure them,and then bin them (sorted by percentage deviation from target value) according to preset values. The values that fall closer to target, they charge you more for. Thus, the 1% tolerance part is born.

There are a select number of manufactures that produce supperior quality components that fall into the 1% or 5% value simply due to the integrety of the manufacturing process. These components cost more for a reason. Using these directly in the signal path usually results in increased fedelity, but not because of the tolerance value.

Any questions?


Adam

PEI330Ci

defro, I have experience with the Kimber Fastcaps. They are very good.

But...

If you want the best, look into M.I.T. Musicaps. (parts connection is the Canadian source for these too) Have a spare arm or leg handy when ordering [img]tongue.gif[/img]

NOBASS

Depending on where you live, changing out some of the ICs and transistors to milspec could help too. That way your temperature tolerances would be wider, especially helpful during the cold winter months and during the hot summer days when the amp is being pushed hard. The ICs would stay in spec better.

This is assuming that the amplifier in question is of good design and build quality in the first place. Unfortunately a poorly designed circuit board and/or layout would benefit less from the upgrades.

Mark

Keith

Eddie:

Yes, the quietness of your vehicle will definately affect the sound quality of your audio system. With a very quiet vehicle, you don't have to turn up the volume as much to attain a similar level dB in the vehicle's cabin as with the same vehicle which is not so quiet. Quietness can only improve the sound quality. Also, with a quiet vehicle, you can turn down the gain on the amplifier, which will lower distortion, thus improving sound quality.

The quality of the other parts of your audio system is also important. All the parts must be synergystic with one another and work & sound well together.

Keith

Adam, that's a very interesting point you brought up about the manufacturing of these parts.

ChinaMan

iTrader: (4)

Yup, interesting point indeed... didn't know that. And Adam, the MIT musicaps... didn't see it on the Parts Connexion site, would it be the same as the Hovland ones?

Defro or Adam, where can those Kimber caps be ordered in Canada?

Thanks NOBASS on that info. I'm assuming milspec IC's and transistors would be costly, huh?

Keith: synergy of parts... that's really hard to attain. Just a long process of trial and error I suppose.

JohnVroom

There are little things you can do to input impedances and to power supplies to 'improve' sound/ performance. There are circuits put in most amps to make them 'universal'. Some HU have lousy output impedance and if the amp does not have the correct impedance matching circuit it will sound like crap. If you are so serious about SQ you have a quality HU and this is not an issue and you can change the input impedance. This is a tweak that can be a hit or miss proposal and will certainly void ANY warranty (lowering input impedance could screw things up). In an ideal world the amp would mate perfectly with the HU with the added impedance added by your IC. (Remember if you have an EQ/TA it provides the pre out to the amp)

I have not nor will I do this to any amp in my car. This mod is why some home amps and preamps “sound different” with different equipment… Because someone scrimped on their buffering circuit.

Common knowledge is the cap upgrades previously mentioned are for the signal path not power supply though beefing up any power supply falls in the ‘good’ category

JohnVroom

Eddie
MILSPEC discreet components are pennies more if at all... of course which MILSPEC they qualify to is the question (461E, 901D, 161-1, 1399, 301 etc.) Some MILSPEC qual's are BS if done for the wrong reasons (108E)