Pk Vintage Posted August 9, 2017 Report Share Posted August 9, 2017 Hello all, First post I am picking up my one owner all original AR9's tomorrow and I want to start the recap and re surround process. I have been doing my research on the High Mid and LF Caps and have decided that I want to go the replacement route. Can anyone tell me where to find the big caps. I have been looking but yet to find anything 100V or more. It has been suggested that I bunch together to get to the 2500 uf but I would rather use one cap if I can find it at a reasonable price. I guess the 470uf should also be included in this discussion. I am very excited to hook these up to my big fat Bryston's and here them sing. Yah! Crank it up! Thanks for any help, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ar_pro Posted August 9, 2017 Report Share Posted August 9, 2017 You might check some of the threads about re-capping the AR-9, there are many opinions on this. These guys sell big caps: https://www.surplussales.com/index/Electrolytic-Capacitors.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavidR Posted August 9, 2017 Report Share Posted August 9, 2017 Madisound carries Bennic NPE caps in large size. For the AR9 you could use (2) 165uF + (1) 140uF for the 470uF and for the 2500uF (2) 1000 + 500 caps OR (5) 500uF caps. I would first check and see how the originals measure. They may still be within spec. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tysontom Posted August 10, 2017 Report Share Posted August 10, 2017 5 hours ago, Pk Vintage said: Hello all, First post I am picking up my one owner all original AR9's tomorrow and I want to start the recap and re surround process. I have been doing my research on the High Mid and LF Caps and have decided that I want to go the replacement route. Can anyone tell me where to find the big caps. I have been looking but yet to find anything 100V or more. It has been suggested that I bunch together to get to the 2500 uf but I would rather use one cap if I can find it at a reasonable price. I guess the 470uf should also be included in this discussion. I am very excited to hook these up to my big fat Bryston's and here them sing. Yah! Crank it up! Thanks for any help, You might want to consider measuring the caps before you replace them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RoyC Posted August 10, 2017 Report Share Posted August 10, 2017 I agree with Tom....These seldom need to be replaced. Roy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kurt45 Posted August 10, 2017 Report Share Posted August 10, 2017 7 hours ago, ar_pro said: You might check some of the threads about re-capping the AR-9, there are many opinions on this. These guys sell big caps: https://www.surplussales.com/index/Electrolytic-Capacitors.html Looks like they got good ones. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ligs Posted August 10, 2017 Report Share Posted August 10, 2017 In theory, you can use 2 regular 5000uf electrolytic capacitors in series to make one 2500 uf non-polarized capacitor and doubling the voltage rating. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JKent Posted August 10, 2017 Report Share Posted August 10, 2017 Welcome Pk A couple of observations: I like Nebraska Surplus Sales, recommended by AR_pro, but remember you need bi-polar caps. I don't know if their biggies are BP. Tom and Roy are real experts on AR speakers--both are co-authors of the AR-3a restoration guide. So if they say the caps don't tend to go bad, I'd believe them. Best bet might be to pick up an LCR meter (or at least a C meter) and check them. btw--if you do need to replace the caps there is nothing wrong with paralleling smaller values. Some people even prefer this approach. Big Brystons. Cool! -Kent Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frankmarsi Posted August 10, 2017 Report Share Posted August 10, 2017 On 8/9/2017 at 5:02 PM, Pk Vintage said: Hello all, First post I am picking up my one owner all original AR9's tomorrow and I want to start the recap and re surround process. I have been doing my research on the High Mid and LF Caps and have decided that I want to go the replacement route. Can anyone tell me where to find the big caps. I have been looking but yet to find anything 100V or more. It has been suggested that I bunch together to get to the 2500 uf but I would rather use one cap if I can find it at a reasonable price. I guess the 470uf should also be included in this discussion. I am very excited to hook these up to my big fat Bryston's and here them sing. Yah! Crank it up! Thanks for any help, I'm curious, which Brystons do you have and from which years? You indicate plural, how are you hooking up the amp(s), what gauge cable and type of spades are you using? Are you fusing them as you should and if so, at what rating? I have AR-9's also and I have experienced mixed results when bi-amping, I expected more from the speakers. I ask because, I used two PL amps with 400RMS/per-channel@4ohms which of course, equaled 1600 watts total and the 9's simply soaked it up and seemingly weren't phased, although the amps were "Phase", get it? As a new arrival, do you have any information that you could pass along to some of the ranks here who also have AR-9's even though this may be uncharted territory for you? You must have some preconceived notions or experienced opinions having come to this point at hand? FM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pk Vintage Posted August 11, 2017 Author Report Share Posted August 11, 2017 Thanks all for the reply's, Firstly, I am not experienced at this! and will be making my decisions based on the forum members recommendations. I picked them up and they are perfect except for cracked surrounds on the Mids. Not a mark anywhere! I have all literature, boxes, packing including the original purchase invoice. So I get them home and they sound great bi-wired to my Bryston 4B. I also have a 3B ST I am going to try bi-amping with. I have been reading quite a bit on the re-cap procedure and have found several opinions based on real world experiences that says doing the large caps, and NOT in a bundled way, makes a profound difference, even on caps that tested close to spec. They mention that simple testing does not tell the complete story. A fellow by the name of Brett, handle "Diamonds and Rust" seems to have a real good working knowledge on the AR9. I will be A/B ing the AR 9's with a set of re capped and LF modified Kappa 8's and my re-capped IMF TLS 50's. Below is a thread I have been reading and make reference to above. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pk Vintage Posted August 12, 2017 Author Report Share Posted August 12, 2017 On 8/10/2017 at 1:17 PM, frankmarsi said: I'm curious, which Brystons do you have and from which years? You indicate plural, how are you hooking up the amp(s), what gauge cable and type of spades are you using? Are you fusing them as you should and if so, at what rating? I have AR-9's also and I have experienced mixed results when bi-amping, I expected more from the speakers. I ask because, I used two PL amps with 400RMS/per-channel@4ohms which of course, equaled 1600 watts total and the 9's simply soaked it up and seemingly weren't phased, although the amps were "Phase", get it? As a new arrival, do you have any information that you could pass along to some of the ranks here who also have AR-9's even though this may be uncharted territory for you? You must have some preconceived notions or experienced opinions having come to this point at hand? FM Bryston 4b NPB on the LF and 3B ST for the mid and high. Bryston 1B pre amp. 12 gauge cable Banana plugs My closest are probably my Kapa 8's which sound very good in all aspects. I think the Kapa's are the best speakers I have ever heard, hence the search for something better. What am I missing? I really like the following that the AR line has. The 9's are sooo very cool. I have always been a lover of old quality items, Cars included, although, they have taken a back seat to the audio for 6 months. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pk Vintage Posted August 12, 2017 Author Report Share Posted August 12, 2017 On 8/9/2017 at 2:53 PM, ar_pro said: You might check some of the threads about re-capping the AR-9, there are many opinions on this. These guys sell big caps: https://www.surplussales.com/index/Electrolytic-Capacitors.html Thank you for the supplier suggestion. There are quite a few there to choose from. Could you narrow it down and maybe make a couple of suggestion for the 470 and the 2500. I really have no idea. I am not too worried about the cost within reason of course. I am very interested in your advice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ra.ra Posted August 12, 2017 Report Share Posted August 12, 2017 I have never owned or dug into any AR-9's, but I am curious why your attention is solely on the large value caps for the larger drivers. It has been my experience that typically, cap replacement is more intensely focused on the smaller value caps for the HF drivers where there is often an immediate bang-for buck noticeable improvement in performance. Am not sure exactly what your ultimate goals are, but I'd be taking a hard look at the caps for the tweeter and upper midrange circuits right away. Showing pics of your crossovers may be useful, too - - many people here can give more specific advice once they've seen which type of caps AR used in your set of speakers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pk Vintage Posted August 12, 2017 Author Report Share Posted August 12, 2017 All Caps will be done. Just thought I would split the topic up seeing as how there seems to be quite a few opinions on the LF caps. One step at a time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ra.ra Posted August 12, 2017 Report Share Posted August 12, 2017 8 hours ago, Pk Vintage said: One step at a time. OK, got it - - they are huge speakers, after all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AR surround Posted August 12, 2017 Report Share Posted August 12, 2017 On 8/9/2017 at 11:04 PM, RoyC said: I agree with Tom....These seldom need to be replaced. Roy It was my understanding that the big Spragues are robust, but the big aluminum Callins can be suspect. No? Anyway Pk, I replaced the big caps in my AR9's with bundled caps and they sound excellent, but I hope you can find a suitable single cap replacement for each of those big cans. Let us know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pk Vintage Posted August 12, 2017 Author Report Share Posted August 12, 2017 4 hours ago, ra.ra said: OK, got it - - they are huge speakers, after all. The caps will be done at the same time. Just seeking the info separately. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JKent Posted August 12, 2017 Report Share Posted August 12, 2017 16 hours ago, Pk Vintage said: Could you narrow it down and maybe make a couple of suggestion for the 470 and the 2500. No NPE caps available there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RoyC Posted August 13, 2017 Report Share Posted August 13, 2017 10 hours ago, AR surround said: It was my understanding that the big Spragues are robust, but the big aluminum Callins can be suspect. No? Large Sprague and Industrial Condenser caps generally measure better than Callins. The problem is there are more "opinions" than measurements in these threads....and a need to believe individuals who claim to be able to hear that which cannot be measured. Roy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pk Vintage Posted August 14, 2017 Author Report Share Posted August 14, 2017 On 8/12/2017 at 7:24 PM, RoyC said: Large Sprague and Industrial Condenser caps generally measure better than Callins. The problem is there are more "opinions" than measurements in these threads....and a need to believe individuals who claim to be able to hear that which cannot be measured. Roy Diamonds and Rust seems to have done the upgrade a few times and recommends to definitely go with the 1 cap the same value for LF caps. I would like to try to this method first if I can find the caps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pk Vintage Posted August 14, 2017 Author Report Share Posted August 14, 2017 On 8/12/2017 at 1:31 PM, JKent said: No NPE caps available there. Do you have a suggestion. AR-Pro recommended the Surplus Sales of Nebraska site. But you say no NPE caps. ?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pk Vintage Posted August 14, 2017 Author Report Share Posted August 14, 2017 Anyone else have a suggestion on where to find 2500 uf and 470 uf Caps for the AR9's. I have looked but yet to find anything. Thanks again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ra.ra Posted August 14, 2017 Report Share Posted August 14, 2017 Do these pics represent the type of components you are seeking? If so, these listings are all over the internet on a major auction site. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pk Vintage Posted August 14, 2017 Author Report Share Posted August 14, 2017 2 hours ago, ra.ra said: Do these pics represent the type of components you are seeking? If so, these listings are all over the internet on a major auction site. I saw these. I have been told through this post that I need non polar caps. I do not know how to tell if these are non polar. Also they say DC.Does that matter? There is another listing on the Nebraska surplus sales site for one that is not DC. I do not know much about this unless it is outright obvious. I am trying to learn so I can do my own upgrades but it is not always easy to. Thank for the effort in posting this. Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stimpy Posted August 14, 2017 Report Share Posted August 14, 2017 Mundorf makes a NPE 470uF E-Cap. It could be worth a look? Also, there are quite a few 2500uF capacitors available on eBay. You might not have much choice, than to try a pair of these. Not many audio grade capacitors available in that size. Good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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