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Heyall

I got a '73 Traynor YBA-1A last month and took it into a tech guy to check it out. He got back to me recently saying he recommends replacing the paper caps with newer ones. Okay cool.

But he wants to put in Sprague atoms. Now I don't anything about this stuff. I don't care about haunting mids or jizzy bass or any of that bullshit, I don't care if they change my tone or not. I just want something that's not going to have to be replaced for a very long time.

From what little I could find online about these caps there is some chatter that they are now functionally obsolete and overpriced. But then I also read they're recommended for replacement only? Well what the H does that mean, are they obsolete or not?

The internet also told me elec. caps have a shelf life ranging from one year to 15 years (oh internet, you coy mistress you). Which means he could be trying to sell me near dead caps. People on here seem to have their heads on straight (relatively ) so am I being taken for a ride if I give this guy the go ahead on the replacement?

Assuming he is not rying to sell you nos caps, yes, that all sounds legit. As far as brand of caps, if you want to go with something cheaper that has the same tolerances, that should be fine. Caps have a value (should be right on) a voltage rating, (higher better/costs more/physically larger) and a tolerance. The tolerance says that it should be within a certain% of the intended value. This can make a big differance. 5% to 20% seems to be what gets used. Obviously you want as close to stated value as possible. So if you go with something other than sprauge, make sure they are decent and don't just go for the cheapest.

Arguably Atoms, which are still made though in limited quantities last I heard, are overspending for your electrolytic caps, but not absurdly if you think much of that point. We aren't talking some high-end audiophile wankery of paying 5x premiums for psychological benefits. The big advantage to Atoms is that they are physically sized like the original caps were, making the fit easy. However, that isn't an electrically essential attribute. Any appropriately rated cap that's well made from a reliable manufacturer should do the job. Atoms get a small pricing premium for serving a niche market of folks who are a bit of conservative on appearances and superstitious in fearing the new, but the caps are fine.

Are you ever likely to sell the amp in circumstances where the buyer would look funny at a smaller modern electrolytic cap in the guts? Then don't sweat a small premium. Bench time is probably the most expensive thing here. The tech may have Atoms on hand and be passing on some bulk discount, or would pass on all the shipping costs and wait time of a one-off order of cheaper caps.

Oh, and never NOS electrolytics. I'm surprised audiophiles haven't gone to freshness dating other than for the fact that it actually makes a difference.

I don't think they're NOS, they look new.

https://skydrive.live.com/?cid=22b0414e ... yejSIEQJ3U

Physically sized for vintage makes more sense.

I guess I know where I can find him for a refund if something does go wrong. I don't minding spending slightly more for caps that will just fit right in just as long as they're not on the verge of failure.