So I am thinking about recapping my 68 NOS metro plexi build.....What brand caps?

  • Thread starter Thread starter harddriver
  • Start date Start date
H

harddriver

Well-known member
I've been playing my 68 quite a bit lately and I recently re-read some posts about the graininess of the F&T axial caps so I think I want to try something else, I've been happy with them since I built the amp, but my 69 NOS build used Sozo/mallory and ARS can caps and I think I heard more clarity and chime with that amp.....I already have an ARS for the PI cap sitting here.

There are no problems with the F&T's functionally but they are about 16 years old......I am mostly just curious if the graininess thing is a thing....:dunno:

I see ARS has some 33uf and 100uf caps but I did read they are made in China, is this true? If the duals can caps are made in the same factory I think the ARS axials would be a safe bet...NO?

Other caps are Sprague Atoms and possible BC or RIFA, I'm not sure if the RIFA is old reformed NOS or new production.

Any recommendations?
 
I’ve read other people saying the ARS sound better but then also not THE most reliable. I do know my favorite one (‘69 clone w/ laydown PT) was built with ARS. How’s that for anecdotal evidence. A sample of one.

My ‘68 clone has different transformers and most filter caps inside the amp, you know the deal with ‘68s. F&T in that one and it never sounded like the ‘69 clone. Not even close. But too many variables.
 
Last edited:
SpiderWars said:
I’ve read other people saying the ARS sound better but then also not THE most reliable. I do know my favorite one was built with ARS. How’s that for anecdotal evidence. A sample of one.

My ‘68 clone has different transformers and most caps inside the amp, you know the deal with ‘68s. F&T in that one and it never sounded like the ‘69 clone. Not even close. But too many variables.
Click to expand...
I am running F&T's for the Mains, Screens and PI, I have a reformed NOS Erie 32uf x 32uf cap dual cap for the preamp that would probably stay and I would run an ARS 50/50 for 100uf in the PI. I'd hate to change out to the ARS axials and have issues but it does seem alot of people are using them. I know their dual cap can are good I was just wondering about the axial caps.....

For my 69 NOS build I had bought the first run of the SOZO 100uf filter can caps for the mains and screens I guess they were made by Mallory according to some and an ARS in the PI and that amp had some tone. I bought a bunch of the ARS 50/50uf a while ago to have on hand for my other amps when the time came.
 
I buy boxes of 50 ARS can caps at a time. Not one failure to date over years of use in lots and lots of amps. I typically use 50/50’s but also use 32/32’s, and occasionally the single 220’s for the mains. They look better than those little F&T’s in a vintage Marshall too.

I use 47uF ARS axials in the Hellion preamp. Great as well.
 
RedPlated said:
I buy boxes of 50 ARS can caps at a time. Not one failure to date over years of use in lots and lots of amps. I typically use 50/50’s but also use 32/32’s, and occasionally the single 220’s for the mains. They look better than those little F&T’s in a vintage Marshall too.

I use 47uF ARS axials in the Hellion preamp. Great as well.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the feedback! I know they sell the dual can caps on their Ebay account that's where I got all of mine, but it looks like I would have to order the axial caps from their website.

https://www.arselectronics.com/ARSWEB/CapPage2.html

I've heard they sometimes don't answer their phone, is it best o send them the order list via email and then call them with the C/C number.

Is there another retailer here in the US that carries an inventory of their capacitors?
 
ARS has never picked up the phone when I've called. I always buy from their eBay account.
 
Maybe he recognizes my number when I call? I’ve actually never had him not answer the phone. Strange.
 
I've been playing my 68 quite a bit lately and I recently re-read some posts about the graininess of the F&T axial caps so I think I want to try something else, I've been happy with them since I built the amp, but my 69 NOS build used Sozo/mallory and ARS can caps and I think I heard more clarity and chime with that amp.....I already have an ARS for the PI cap sitting here.

There are no problems with the F&T's functionally but they are about 16 years old......I am mostly just curious if the graininess thing is a thing....:dunno:

I see ARS has some 33uf and 100uf caps but I did read they are made in China, is this true? If the duals can caps are made in the same factory I think the ARS axials would be a safe bet...NO?

Other caps are Sprague Atoms and possible BC or RIFA, I'm not sure if the RIFA is old reformed NOS or new production.

Any recommendations?

=========

68' ?

Clone ?

69 NOS ? SOSO ?

Power Transformer and Output Transformers ?

Graininess ? about what, new F&T VS. 16 Year Old F&T ?

Am I in that twilitght place ?

Is there a portal here in the rig talk I don't know about . . . ?

I'll take the 71 100 Watt Marshall and Matching cab for Sanity Alex. . .
 
raiken said:
ARS.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the endorsement Randall, it is good to hear from you. I hope things are well on your end!

Thanks for all the recommendations guys I appreciate the input!:2thumbsup::yes:

I'll be calling ARS and I'll let you guys know if they pick up the phone.
 
I called ARS just now... they answered the phone.:2thumbsup: I don't know if it was Marty as I didn't ask but he was quite pleasant and I placed my order with no issues.

He said the order should ship today. So will have caps on hand to recap this 68 amp when I find the time. I also ordered a full cap set for my little 5 watt single ended Jose modded 2203 combo amp which are going on 20 years old.

Thanks again everyone! I appreciate the help.:cheers:
 
harddriver said:
I called ARS just now... they answered the phone.:2thumbsup: I don't know if it was Marty as I didn't ask but he was quite pleasant and I placed my order with no issues.

He said the order should ship today. So will have caps on hand to recap this 68 amp when I find the time. I also ordered a full cap set for my little 5 watt single ended Jose modded 2203 combo amp which are going on 20 years old.

Thanks again everyone! I appreciate the help.:cheers:
Click to expand...
Sweet! So you're getting axial ARS for a '68? What values? Any ghosting with the F&T?
 
SpiderWars said:
Sweet! So you're getting axial ARS for a '68? What values? Any ghosting with the F&T?
Click to expand...
These are for my 68 NOS metro amp build, everything was old NOS parts except the resistors, Iskras were hard to find back when I built this in 2007/8. Luckily I've never had ghosting with the F&T's. The filtering is 100uf/100uf for 50uf mains, 30uf/30uf for 16uf screens, PI is 50uf/50uf for 100uf and preamp is a reformed Erie dual 32uf/32uf.

Everything's been good so I'm keeping the values the same. The ARS axials are 100uf/500V, 33uf/500V and dual 50/50/500Vuf, I'll probably keep the Erie on the preamp for now.
 
harddriver said:
These are for my 68 NOS metro amp build, everything was old NOS parts except the resistors, Iskras were hard to find back when I built this in 2007/8. Luckily I've never had ghosting with the F&T's. The filtering is 100uf/100uf for 50uf mains, 30uf/30uf for 16uf screens, PI is 50uf/50uf for 100uf and preamp is a reformed Erie dual 32uf/32uf.

Everything's been good so I'm keeping the values the same. The ARS axials are 100uf/500V, 33uf/500V and dual 50/50/500Vuf, I'll probably keep the Erie on the preamp for now.
Click to expand...
Cool. Transformers and voltage? Just curious, my Metro '68 just never satisfied but my Metro '69 slays and I'm thinking of cloning my clone just because it sounds so good. Tryin to figure what made the difference.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top