DIY Hi-Cap recap
Posted by: keithy on 17 June 2002
will naim just send the capacators to recap a hicap. If so, how much?
Posted on: 17 June 2002 by Justin
Good Lord, No. Not on this side of teh pond, anyway.
Judd
Judd
Posted on: 17 June 2002 by Jrook
I purchased the Aerovox caps to replace in my old version Hi-cap (1988) from RC Electronics in England. I think they were about 40 pounds or $60.00 The large ones in my High-cap are 63v 15,000 uF affairs that are 50mm diameter and about 80mm in length. These fit perfectly. There is a metal braket that holds the caps securely so you should use a high quality type rated at 85C and with the 50mm diameter to properly fit the bracket. Other than that they are connected to the circuit by 2 screws. The recap took all of 10 minutes. Just remember to observe polarity. And make sure that the unit has been powered down for at least a few minutes to let the caps bleed off any voltage.
I take no responsibility for anyone attempting this service without adequit training and knowledge. I was lucky to have worked for a company that built Aircraft flight simulators and was trained as a technician for prototype assembly. So I had a very good idea what I was doing. On the other hand it was a great improvement to the sound and saved a lot of cake and time. The small caps on the board (there are 4) are 10uf 35VDC Tantalums. I used Panasonic brand purchased from Digi-key 10 for $16.00
A bit of soldering experience is needed but this is also quite easy to do.
Cheers,
JC
I take no responsibility for anyone attempting this service without adequit training and knowledge. I was lucky to have worked for a company that built Aircraft flight simulators and was trained as a technician for prototype assembly. So I had a very good idea what I was doing. On the other hand it was a great improvement to the sound and saved a lot of cake and time. The small caps on the board (there are 4) are 10uf 35VDC Tantalums. I used Panasonic brand purchased from Digi-key 10 for $16.00
A bit of soldering experience is needed but this is also quite easy to do.
Cheers,
JC
Posted on: 17 June 2002 by tonytronic
Regarding DIY re-capping...
one has to respect your abilities Jrook, and you understand about choosing suitable components rather than "any old thing with the right value". However there are snags for lesser mortals...
The first is a financial value effect which only applies when selling second-hand.
Older Naim equipment tends to GAIN value when serviced by Naim, but suffers some loss in value if revealed that it has been modified by someone other than Naim.
The value difference could amount to more than the extra cost of the 'proper' Naim service!!
Other snags are all to do with the way Naim select components and the effect that has on the sound quality (the correct value and rating is NOT the whole story). You obviously understand that point, but there are those that do not, and would struggle to do so.
Finally there is the potential destructive power of a soldering iron when placed in the WRONG hands... 'Nuff said!
Anyway, it's brave of you to attempt it.
Have you had a chance to check the sonic result with an "A-B comparison" against a healthy Naim equivalent Hicap (rather than just "before .v. after")?
Tonytronic.
one has to respect your abilities Jrook, and you understand about choosing suitable components rather than "any old thing with the right value". However there are snags for lesser mortals...
The first is a financial value effect which only applies when selling second-hand.
Older Naim equipment tends to GAIN value when serviced by Naim, but suffers some loss in value if revealed that it has been modified by someone other than Naim.
The value difference could amount to more than the extra cost of the 'proper' Naim service!!
Other snags are all to do with the way Naim select components and the effect that has on the sound quality (the correct value and rating is NOT the whole story). You obviously understand that point, but there are those that do not, and would struggle to do so.
Finally there is the potential destructive power of a soldering iron when placed in the WRONG hands... 'Nuff said!
Anyway, it's brave of you to attempt it.
Have you had a chance to check the sonic result with an "A-B comparison" against a healthy Naim equivalent Hicap (rather than just "before .v. after")?
Tonytronic.