TOA-RX216 console that I used as a mechanical foundation for my console contained lot of bipolar electrolytics in signal path. Just for experiment, I replaced some of them with metal film capacitors. There were mostly 10 mkF caps, but most significan improvement was obtained by replacing input cap 1 mkF with metal film one: significantly quieter hiss and less distortions. Also, I shifted all OpAmps in class A, an overall result was like good tube console (however, mostly because of A class amps).
http://wavebourn.net/images/audio/toa_pre_1.gif http://wavebourn.net/images/audio/toa_pre_2.gif
However, when I replaced opamps in mic preamps by tubes and made discrete summing and line driver amps I got most significant improvement.
But anyway, replacing electrolytics by metal film caps (if they fit) gives audible improvements.
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Most wires and parts do in fact sound exactly the same. --Ethan
But sounds of 1 meter and 1 kilometer of the same wire are totally different --Wavebourn
Can I add that many bands sound better when they are 1Km away compared to 1 Metre! --Matt Syson
