Does a power cap serve any purpose at all?

[jmanpc 5,000+ posts]

Yes, capacitors have a use.

Nowadays, you'll see in higher-end home theater systems, it's common to see a power conditioner- it feeds clean, constant power to the components of your home theater for the cleanest audio and video possible.

Capacitors were first marketed for this purpose- power conditioning. A capacitor stabilizes the voltage being fed into the amp to a degree. Therefore, your amp will theoretically have cleaner output and extended longevity.

However, the problem with this theory is, that amplifiers have capacitors as a part of the power supply for this very reason. Their on-board components are sufficient, therefore an external capacitor is not needed.

So, capacitors have a use, but they're more redundant than anything. So, I still call them useless.

 

[ashtrey1212 10+ year member]

Yes, capacitors have a use.
Nowadays, you'll see in higher-end home theater systems, it's common to see a power conditioner- it feeds clean, constant power to the components of your home theater for the cleanest audio and video possible.

Capacitors were first marketed for this purpose- power conditioning. A capacitor stabilizes the voltage being fed into the amp to a degree. Therefore, your amp will theoretically have cleaner output and extended longevity.

However, the problem with this theory is, that amplifiers have capacitors as a part of the power supply for this very reason. Their on-board components are sufficient, therefore an external capacitor is not needed.

So, capacitors have a use, but they're more redundant than anything. So, I still call them useless.

Thanks for clarifying.

 

[WhoSayWho? 5,000+ posts]

Good news, the search function is working perfectly now.

 

[Rashaddd 5,000+ posts]

thank god

 

[Johnny Law.Lulz 5,000+ posts]

They obviously have more use than the search button. I dont see why we have a search button. We should just have a picture of a cap on that page

Caps can act as noise filters and steady some voltage a little bit but nothing worth the price. If caps were $5 they would be useful.

 

[IDSkoT 5,000+ posts]

I've been told time and time again from you guys why caps are so useless and I'm not trying to debate that fact. I'm just curious if they have any purpose at all.

There's a sticky about this...

But I'll explain it AGAIN.

Capacitors are designed and functions to release energy at a quick burst. So, a one farad cap can produce something around the range of 1K watts, but only for a microsecond. Then it's forever trying to recharge itself. However, in terms of signal, it can fill in the troughs and cut off the peaks of the incoming power source. But, odds are, it won't make an audible difference.

EDIT:: JMan beat me to it. Reading > Me.

But I could've swore they were first changed into a car environment because of a burp competitor was losing voltage?

 

[ForTiLLiaN 10+ year member]

I am sure I am going to be getting flamed for this but oh well. I was reading the manual for my t20001bd and it says " To maximize the performance of your amplifier, we suggest the use of a heavy duty and AND an energy storage capacitor." They did not say to buy their cap or reference to any product they sell. Just to use a cap. Thoughts?

 

[audioholic 5,000+ posts]

They must have a use, your amplifiers all have caps in their input stages. But then that begs the question, why do we need more external capacitance? Hmm.

 

[gunz4me 10+ year member]

I am sure I am going to be getting flamed for this but oh well. I was reading the manual for my t20001bd and it says " To maximize the performance of your amplifier, we suggest the use of a heavy duty and AND an energy storage capacitor." They did not say to buy their cap or reference to any product they sell. Just to use a cap. Thoughts?

Oh let's see... Rockford Fosgate sells an amp, and they also recommend a capacitor in their owner's manual. What else does Rockford Fosgate market..... Oh, yeah capacitors..... So they are hoping you will buy one of theirs over a Power Acoustik! After all, RF + RF = madd deebeez... or is that mad nuthuging

 

[audioholic 5,000+ posts]

Plenty of companies have suggested using external caps over the years. Some out of ignorance, some out of greed to make the sale. But just because you read something from a manufacturer does not make it gospel.

Maybe that was Rf admitting they under-build the input stage of their amplifiers. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/wink.gif.608e3ea05f1a9f98611af0861652f8fb.gif

 

[Rashaddd 5,000+ posts]

Plenty of companies have suggested using external caps over the years. Some out of ignorance, some out of greed to make the sale. But just because you read something from a manufacturer does not make it gospel.
Maybe that was Rf admitting they under-build the input stage of their amplifiers. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/wink.gif.608e3ea05f1a9f98611af0861652f8fb.gif

*unless it's from eD

 

[gunz4me 10+ year member]

Plenty of companies have suggested using external caps over the years. Some out of ignorance, some out of greed to make the sale. But just because you read something from a manufacturer does not make it gospel.
Maybe that was Rf admitting they under-build the input stage of their amplifiers. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/wink.gif.608e3ea05f1a9f98611af0861652f8fb.gif

lol, kind of like the 25 to Life punch 150 that I have:

OMG, is that 4 capacitors I see missing from the circuit board:laugh:

 

[Megalomaniac 5,000+ posts]

lol, kind of like the 25 to Life punch 150 that I have:

OMG, is that 4 capacitors I see missing from the circuit board:laugh:

i think they just use the same board for another amp they have...which requires the extra caps

 

[gunz4me 10+ year member]

i think they just use the same board for another amp they have...which requires the extra caps

Actually, I read somewhere that it was designed with the intention of using, but then when the production samples came out they decided that four capacitors was more than enough capacitance for the power supply.

I have thought about adding the other four, but, I am afraid that four additional caps will cause major damage if the amp encounters a minor failure. Also, it is highly unlikely that I would be able to hear a difference anyhow.

 

[thorshammer1 10+ year member]

They make great paper wieghts!