[Boatanchors] Disc caps vs paper caps

[Glen Zook]

As I posted previously, where communications quality audio is concerned, there is absolutely no difference between using disc ceramic capacitors and other types of capacitors as coupling capacitors.  Where "hi fi" audio is concerned, with both low frequencies and very high frequencies, sometimes the difference can be detected.  However, the vast majority of people would not be able to detect any difference.

That reminds me of a fraternity brother of mine who was also a varsity swimmer.  Frankly, his hearing range was compromised because of his head being immersed in water for several hours each day.  He also had to have the latest, and greatest, stereo equipment available and the best speakers that money could buy.  But, he really could not actually hear the difference between a cheap stereo and all of his most expensive equipment.  He bought so much equipment from a certain outlet that they allowed him to bring in his equipment every couple of months, for free, so that they could "prove" to him that the equipment was still meeting specifications.

He was my roommate for a couple of quarters.  One day he got the idea that he wanted to use his stereo equipment as a "clock radio" and had me wire a timer into the B- of his amplifier so that when the time activated power would be applied to the amplifier.  He had the upper bunk and had installed speakers at each end of his bed.  Also, he was very hard to get out of bed in the morning.  The very first morning he used this "clock radio", the system activated with the Beatles playing "I want to hold your hand" at a power level of at least 100-watts per channel.  That literally blew him out of bed and he headed for the timer to shut down the system.  It was also like nano-seconds before everyone else in the fraternity house was coming through the door threatening him with bodily harm!

As for the capacitors "talking":  That definitely happens and it doesn't matter if the receiver weighs 2-pounds or 100-pounds!  It is not a common happening.  However, over the years, I have experienced this a number of times and the "fix" was to replace the disc ceramic capacitor with one of a different type.
 
Glen, K9STH


Website:  http://k9sth.com


________________________________
 From: L L bahr <pulsarxp at embarqmail.com>
To: jfor at quikus.com 
Cc: "Boatanchors at mailman.qth.net" <boatanchors at mailman.qth.net>; Mark Foltarz <foltarz at rocketmail.com>; Glen Zook <gzook at yahoo.com> 
Sent: Thursday, September 27, 2012 3:07 PM
Subject: Re: [Boatanchors] Disc caps vs paper caps
 
John,

I am with you.  Prove it!

I have used both types of caps for 60 years and have never experienced a difference between the two when used as couplong caps.  Remember the old couplates?  They were used in many applications including WRL Globe Scouts. They had ceramic caps in them too. I  don't know anything about ceramics in HI-Fi Amps, but in boat anchors this is hog wash in my estimation. (Microphonics?  maybe if dropped off a ten story building. We are talking about 100 pound rigs sitting on a stationary table here).

I want to see scientific proof before I believe it.