Voltage Rating for Interstage Coupling Cap for Single Power amps

[luvdunhill]

hey, I was wonder if a 400 VDC rated cap would be suitable for replacing the interstage coupling caps in my MPX3 SE? There are 2 caps. I got a tip from Mr. Hansen about a line of capacitors I'd like to try, just don't know how to go about verifying they will work.

[luvdunhill]

oh, another option would be going from 0.33uF to .47uF, in which case 600V caps are available.

[n_maher]

What are the current caps are rated for?

[Guest sacd lover]

hey, I was wonder if a 400 VDC rated cap would be suitable for replacing the interstage coupling caps in my MPX3 SE? There are 2 caps. I got a tip from Mr. Hansen about a line of capacitors I'd like to try, just don't know how to go about verifying they will work.

SS rectification, no soft start .... I would stick with 600 VDC caps.

[luvdunhill]

What are the current caps are rated for?

I've had both orange drops and jensens, which are around 600v.

Why would 600v be needed for a coupling cap?

[n_maher]

Why would 600v be needed for a coupling cap?

I think what Earl was alluding to is the large voltage spike at turn on. Typically all caps in a tube amp are rated for the full power supply voltage plus a healthy margin for start up. At least that's my understanding of the rationale.

[luvdunhill]

I thought about it some more... I think whatever the anode voltage is plus max swing should be sufficient... they are after all coupling caps.

[Pars]

There is also the issue of the mantra that higher voltage film caps sound better... this could be why you will see 600V or higher rated caps for coupling when far lower ratings would be safe.

My Counterpoint pre has 200V wondercaps for coupling stock, but that designer is known to underspec at times also, so I'm not sure if that tells me anything