I've also upgraded to the v-caps and totally agree. These caps are amazing and completely worth the price.

Here's a good review of all the major caps including the super pricey AN Silver cap. (Spoiler.. the V-Caps win)

http://www.vhaudio.com/21capacitorshootout.pdf

Dave, I've been listening through your parkers for four years now and want to take this time to thank you for building them. I had no problem hearing the difference between coupling caps among many more subtle tweaks. They're terrific speakers.

-Brett

PS. What would happen if I replaced the Hovland with V-Caps for the tweeter high pass.

I've got the 95MK2, which have a much smaller value. Still the price is crazy. I haven't read much about using v-caps in the crossover, other than that the manufacturer claims they work well.

Hi all

Yep, i am sure you could use some of the Vcaps in the speakers.  The price would most definately put a massive hurt on ya.
(95's need 4uf)

Steve,

The V caps under discussion were put to use in the coupling cap circuit.  

To burn them in I have been racking up mass hours through a Denon POJ (piece of junk) 5 disc dvd changer on repeat, coming Digital out into my DAC.  Running some junk russian tubes labeled RCA.  I sat down after about 350 hours or so, with this setup....and was amazed!!!!  I am really looking forward to getting the main transport and fav tube compliment back in "THE" machine.  This may very well be a depends moment in the making!!!  Gonna give it a lil more time so as the caps can get their mojo going.

Steve, I have said it before and am once again in the same boat, I cant say enough good things about the amazing Zen.

An awesome amp!!!

I have been using the Mundorf Silver PIO coupling caps in my Select for quite a while now ..... they sound very good.

UPS delivered a pair of .1 uf V-Caps to my home yesterday and I popped them into the Select last night.  Despite the inevitable trace of "break in harshness", I was not able to leave my listening seat until 2:30 AM and was late for work this morning .....  :-?

The Mundorfs are well broken in (several hundred hours) ..... but, IMHO, there is NO comparison between these caps as to detail, focus and air.  Vocals and instruments with the V-Caps are absolutely locked in space ..... the lead vocals noticeably so.  While the Mundorfs are excellent sounding caps, I am forced to use the well worn phrase that it was like pulling a blanket off of my speakers when the V-Caps were installed.

It is quite possible that a harsh sounding front end would be a bit painful through these caps (especially during break-in) but I am hearing none of it.  If the word on the street about the 400 hour break-in is true, I can only imagine how good these puppies will sound at that time.  The detail is scary good with none of the downsides that normally come with extremely revealing components.

In addition to the fine qualities described above, the bass is easily the most articulate I have heard in my system.  No "wooliness" here.  Dave Dutill tells me that the bass gets even better and more powerful with break-in.

Chris VenHaus at VH Audio is a pleasure to deal with and I received a UPS tracking number the same day I placed the order .....  8-)

I have spent $100.00 on a lot of audio related items that can't sniff at the goodness that the V-Caps add to my system.  

Highly recommended ....

Randy

I enjoyed reading the asian magazines capacitor shootout, thanks.

Randy,

It was Eddie that first turned me on to these caps, and the way he described them I thought it would be unlistenable at first. Of course this is not the case, and amazingly they do get better and smoother without any loss of the goods. I'm pleased to hear that you prefer the v-caps over the mundorfs as I haven't had a chance to compare them myself. Detail and neutrality is definitely my bag, and these caps fit the bill nicely.

Brett wrote on 02/24/07 at 03:24:05:


Howdy Brett,

I have had many discussions with Eddie about the Mundorfs and V-Caps.  Eddie would probably be the first to admit that personal preference is everything in audio.  He makes no secret about liking his sound "with some meat on the bones", having a special place in his heart for DH-SET amplifiers such as 2A3s and 300Bs.  So, it's not too surprising that Eddie cautions folks about anything that has a potential for a thin or bright sound.  He knows that most of the front ends in use are digital ..... and of less than world class quality ..... so the Mundorfs are probably a safer recommendation for the majority.  I would guess that if there was anything nasty upstream, the V-Caps would make it painfully obvious.  From our conversations, Eddie has no problem recommending the V-Caps to someone who has an analog or "civilized" digital front end.

I just finished another 3 hour listening session and am even more amazed than I was last night.  Nothing can hide from these capacitors.  Dave isn't just woofin' about how good they are.  They give you everything that is on the CD or LP and yet do it with liquidity and refinement ..... there is so much "going on" in the music that it makes listening an adventure .....  8-)

Honestly ..... the "400 hour break-in thing" has me drooling with anticipation .....  :)

Best wishes,

Randy

Randy!!  

Step away from the amplifier!!!  Its Saturday afternoon...you have been listening for two days straight.  The Mighty Zen/Vcap combo has pulled you into its vortex.

Well, on second thought, I suppose you could be doing worse things.  The I T community can live without ya for a few days, just remember to shave that Rumplstiltskin beard off when ya finally go back to work.

Yep, the Vcaps are truly something one has to hear to believe.  The difference, as has been stated previously in the thread are all positive from top to bottom.  A cap worthy of being inside the Zen chassis!

Joel, I do believe I replied to the mail...was just too busy listening to respond immediately.  

As for me...Back to the system

Dave

.1 uf V-Caps
Randy & Dave.....this is the Cap correct?   I suppose I need a qualified Soder Slinger to get them in?

Stone of Tone

I'm in, and I dont even have any selects yet, but I'm working on it.  :) I'll take 4

Mr C  :)

i suspect that eddie uses thjose in his carina for the voicing 2???
that's what he says about the voicing, sure is not the same amp, BUT you know certainly the same sound school

quote:
"Voicing 2 achieves maximum resolution and slam with less tube warmth and coloration, for those who love absolute microdetail and transparency. Regardless of it's near unbelievable resolution, it is still creamy and fluid, with zero harshness or glare in the high or mid frequencies.

...

This voicing is mercilessly revealing of your source component, preamp, interconnects, and recording. It will completely unmask and reveal everything upstream from it, good or bad, warts and all. Although the Carina in this form is most definitely still very smooth and flowing, it will not make a poor digital source or bad digital recording sound better the way a warmer sounding, lower resolution amplifier will. On the other hand, good recordings played on a good source are simply magical sounding. If you have a hi-end digital source or a good turntable and phono stage, Voicing 2 will allow them to shine through in all their glory."

never talked with eddie about this but i am almost certain that those must be the caps that he uses for that voicing.


f

ok i did a quick calculation, if we get to 26 caps we will spend around 73 dollars (for 2 caps) including the shipping to one "host" against the 106 called for two caps bought individually.

now!
the problem is who is going to be the "host"? i would be happy to do it but i live in denmark that might create a problem to send the caps back and forth accross the atlantic. shipment to denmark is marginally higher from the company to here, but shippment - redistribution might be a problem because post here is really expensive.

anyone there in the US willing to be the initial host? if not the other option would be me being the host and to wait until the end of march when i will be in italy for a week.  shipping stuff from italy is cheaper, much cheaper then from denmark. but needless to say a US based host might be the ideal thing to do.

let's investigate options guys, any idea, i started this idea and i am willing to invest in it if necessary, not only for the caps, but also for the fun of it.


we are now at 16 caps, 10 more caps are looking for new owners

f

I have an idea, give me a day to research it, I'll try to post tomorrow night with viability. Must have patience...must have patience....must have patience
Joel

I'd also be interested in a pair for my Select
                                                            Don

I'd also be in for a pair, if the particulars can work out

and yes, the signal coupling caps are the same in the C and the Select.


Karl

im down for 2 caps!

Brett wrote on 02/28/07 at 16:46:50:

get some panasonics or EVOX Rifa polyprops I think you´ll be just as happy in the dac department at a fraction of the price. After all the location of were you spend the most $ is key to successfull frugophilia

I'm down for 2.

I'll go in for 4 for my pair of selects...

Matt

all right guys
talked with crhis and asked if price was lowest he could offer and if we could might be pay individually to him at the 25+ discounted price and have all the caps sent to one person.

answers: yes, price is the lowest he can offer
no, he cannot get individual payments.

little disappointed must say, nothing else was suggested if not the fact that prices are soon going up for the caps!

so ... i think we should move differently. as i said the best option would be if one seasoned decware member would take the lead in the states. we could send him the money (paypal, bank transfer i assume would be preferred methods) payment should include prices of the caps at a discounted price. + share of the postal expences + amount for re shipping the items

basically we are talking according to my calculation of around 77-78 dollars ( a little more if paying with paypal to include paypal charges, i am going to be more specific a little later today with calculations) for a couple of caps.

i am willing to do it, but as i said i am in denmark and things get a little more complicated if we have to get the caps here and then send them back to the states, i also condidered the problem that for such an amount custum taxes might be an issue.

so is there any body in the US willing to be the "home base" of the deal?

if not i will think of another solution and report back.

f

I don't want to mess up a group buy or anything, but I have an offer to make. Since I have a need for 4 caps I will be willing to buy 6 and send 2 to someone on this forum that I trust, in other words, been around awhile. All I will charge is the cap price plus my shipping to you. That will be a $12 difference to the partner vs. a very large group buy. First person to PM me that meets the above criteria will get the deal.
Joel

I think Dave and Randy should handle the group-buy and re-packing, They are after all responsible for this thread and for every-one wanting the caps  :D

i would be willing to accept shipment of the caps, repack and ship them to people,  if someone else handled the administrative and financial details (the address and money collection end of things). i have a bunch of padded envelopes left over from selling cd's that i think would fit the caps. shipping charges would have to include insurance charges too. i am in the us and visiti canada once in awhile...
on another note what about a group cryo of the caps? before shipping?

hehe well lets skip the cryoed caps then!

good for you man, i was interested in the "mini-group" too, or whatever option, if not much moves soon enough i'll just follow suite  :-)

anybody there

f