Sven wrote:Well, quite frankly, I do not really know what would be difference in performance and sound of such an 50 Watt amp if it had 100 uF as opposed to 50 uF of filtering in the first stage. We only know that the original had 150 uF in the first stage for 100 Watts, while the rest is up for grabs... If I knew what is the difference between 50 and 100 uF, it would be easy to make up my mind. I doubt that I could HEAR the difference if both options are tested side-by-side in two same amps... Well, that is why this thread is called ¨#124 CAP QUESTION¨... All things considered, it seems that it does not matter than much anyway (?) ... perhaps (?) Thanks for your input, everyone ...
Here is my .002 cents worth
I don't think I have ever seen a 50w Dumble amp with more than 50uf..I have seen several 100w with only 50uF..
The best sounding 100w ODS I've built only had 50uf..
Remember 100w AB763's (Showman/Twins)only had around 50uf on them..
IMO it really depends on how you run it!!
If your the type player who can get away with really cranking the amp (to the point of taxing the PS) and your finding the low end going real loose on you and ghost note-ing then upping the filtering on the plates makes sense!!
If not then I wouldn't go there because the price you pay with over filtering is you begin to choke off the amp as it gets stiff as well as lose the amps ability to sustain at lower volumes..So you not only get a tight amp but possibility of a slightly more life-less sounding amp..(the same can be said with PI over filtering)..
IMO there are better ways to tighten up an amp like lower bypass caps or turn down presence control, raise the voltage on V1 or add in some LNFB V1 or go to a high plate design,lower the value of the pots in the OD circuit..Some of the fine tuning points Dumble has been known to use to tighten up an amp..(Also cap orientation has been known to help tighten an amp a bit)
A kind of analogy to me would be the suspension on a car..If your driving at 120mph your going to need a tight suspension..If your only going 55 the benefit is not as obvious and you get a rougher ride..So filter it how you run it!!.If this makes any sense!!..I hope!!
Tony