Cap Orientation

[fuzz092888]

Does capacitor orientation in an amplifier make any difference? I know in a few amps I have the are horizontally orientated, but have also owned them where they are vertically orientated. I've heard that vertical is better than horizontal, but why then would so many well known amplifier makers arrange them horizontally? This makes me think that it doesn't matter, but I'd like to hear from guys who actually know. Thanks in advance.

 

[j_garcia]

Fairly certain it doesn't matter. They will leak just the same in both orientations. Horizontal may make things a little less tall for packaging purposes.

 

[fuzz092888]

Generally speaking, how long should one go before changing the caps on an amplifier?

 

[j_garcia]

Only when they fail IMO. Depending on the amp and the caps and the usage, that can be a long time.

 

[fuzz092888]

I was just curious because I have a Cinepro 1K2 that's getting a little long in the tooth. Bought it used so I'm not sure what kind of usage it saw before I had it. Still sounds great, but for a 14ish year old amp, I wasn't sure what kind of life was left in the caps.