Stealth caps

[joeling]

Any idea if these are the caps used in new ARC products as claimed by one DIY parts supplier ?

[electrafixion]

It sure looks like the caps used in my Ref110, and the caps I've seen in photos of the LS-26. The caps in my LS-27 appear quite different. There are no labels on the caps ARC used/uses, but I suspect they order them that way.

[joeling]

The kick is that in the next iteration of the ref series white Teflon caps are used & yet in the latest models gold caps has made a come back with no mention of the super duper Teflon caps

[tdh888]

Hi Joeling ,

I think the big white Teflon were unreliable according to my local ARC dealer, that's why the factory went back to the gold color caps .

Tdh888

[jpgr4blu]

I heard from Kal as I awaited my Ref Phono 2 se update that the supplier was unable to produce the teflon caps as quickly as ARC needed them. Since then, I think, that supplier went out of business or was purchased. As to the unreliability of the teflon caps, I heard that ARC tested them and were not comfortable with the number that didn't meet spec. As for the ones installed by ARC, I think they have been reliable.

[Alki]

Originally Posted by tdh888

Hi Joeling ,

I think the big white Teflon were unreliable according to my local ARC dealer, that's why the factory went back to the gold color caps .

Tdh888

I have personally never heard that there was an issue with these caps and have never heard of an issue with them in a working unit.

In addition; at this time I am not convinced that the new gold caps are an upgrade to the older white version. Just my personal opinion.

[oddeophile]

Originally Posted by Alki

I have personally never heard that there was an issue with these caps and have never heard of an issue with them in a working unit. In addition; at this time I am not convinced that the new gold caps are an upgrade to the older white version. Just my personal opinion.

+1

[joeling]

Gents,

Could u shed some light as to why the gold caps r not superior to the Teflons ?

I am about to something sneaky to increase the value of my output caps to get a better match to the Gryphon. Teflons are prohitively expensive & the aforementioned DIY place is selling the gold caps that claim to b OEM to ARC at a fraction to the cost of Teflon ones.

PS : I had my fair share of Teflon cap woes in my now old ARC ref250 amps but that is old & does not bear repeating

[Harlequin]

Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr, Do not get me started on ARC and coupling capacitors!

Anyhoo, ARC are currently utilizing a 'New' White coupling capacitor as part of the SE upgrade program, and as sported in my latest 250SE's

[jpgr4blu]

My educated guess is that ARC preferred the Teflon caps but the failure of the manufacturer to produce them quickly enough held up the sale of se upgrades for at least 6 months. As ARC had a business to run, it had no choice but to look for replacement caps. I love the body and texture that I believe the caps were largely responsible for in the Ref 40 and the Phono. 2 se. Hopefully, this has not been sacrificed with the caps being used today. When ARC releases the 2 piece version of the Ref 6, I 'll be first in line to compare.