Has anyone used ARS 500v electrolytic caps?

[jmaf]

i just want someone to step up and remake the kt90 of late 90s/early 00s vintage. i need a bunch of those.

New Sensor has current production KT90's - dunno if they're the vintage sound you're looking for.

Edit : New Sensor, via the Electro Harmonix brand.

See Electro Harmonix KT90

[kg]

New Sensor has current production KT90's - dunno if they're the vintage sound you're looking for.

Edit : New Sensor, via the Electro Harmonix brand.

See Electro Harmonix KT90

sound isn't the issue as much as ability to last with 620v B+ ultralinear.

when EH starting making "kt-90s" the screens would outshine the cathodes.

MAYBE times have changed and they've gotten their act together. i send an email to an old tube vendor friend of mine a few days ago, but he hasn't answered yet..

[dai h.]

hey ken, FWIW New Sensor came out with a "KT120" relatively recently which claims high plate dissipation (60W), high anode, screen voltage capability. I've only read of it, but perhaps worth checking out? Datasheet:

http://www.jogis-roehrenbude.de/Roeh...120TungSol.pdf

[jmaf]

when EH starting making "kt-90s" the screens would outshine the cathodes.

Always good to know. I suspect New Sensor has an issue with their specs lately? I had EH 6V6's arcing straight out of the box, then Svetlana 6L6GC...maybe just a coincidence, but then I started buying JJ's instead and problems gone....

I just noticed I sound like a JJ fanboy lately, praising their capacitors then their tubes....

[kg]

hey ken, FWIW New Sensor came out with a "KT120" relatively recently which claims high plate dissipation (60W), high anode, screen voltage capability. I've only read of it, but perhaps worth checking out? Datasheet:

http://www.jogis-roehrenbude.de/Roeh...120TungSol.pdf

hey dai.

i forgot to mention that one of the requirements is that the bottles have straight sides... just because of the very cramped power tube spacing in the BAGA (they're basically touching). i don't think the kt-120 is going to fit. plus i don't think i can afford 12 at nearly $50 each. LOL

[Ronsonic]

Ronsonic, I think I have this whole thing backward indeed, because I don't understand your rant. And I don't know what is the point you're trying to make. I offered my opinion, that rebranding just for the sake of rebranding isn't honest IMHO.

What is not honest about printing your name on a product?

Now, I don't know who or what ARS is, I've never heard of it and I didn't say a word about ARS, I asked if there was a technical reason to rebrand, such as matching or quality control. I said IF they don't add any value to caps, then just rebranding for the sake of it would be unethical in my opinion.....

There we go with "unethical." Why? What is dishonest or unethical about a company printing their own, readily identifiable brand on a product? You don't know what value they add or don't, neither do I. What I do know is that they have a product and stand behind it. Do you require technobabble and hand waving to justify it?

Is OEM manufacture and corporate branding only honest and ethical if they make boasts about what it means?

[jmaf]

What is not honest about printing your name on a product?

There we go with "unethical." Why? What is dishonest or unethical about a company printing their own, readily identifiable brand on a product? You don't know what value they add or don't, neither do I. What I do know is that they have a product and stand behind it. Do you require technobabble and hand waving to justify it?

Is OEM manufacture and corporate branding only honest and ethical if they make boasts about what it means?

Well I guess there's an irreparable cultural gap at play here. If you think it's fine to print your name on something you have no relation to, or that you've added nothing to, then we can agree to disagree. I'm not going to be buying Milli Vanilli records anytime soon because I actually care to know that the singer actually does the singing.

I still don't understand your tone there. If you do your own rebranding and that's why you're mad at what I said, you can keep your customers I don't want them.

[kg]

Well I guess there's an irreparable cultural gap at play here. If you think it's fine to print your name on something you have no relation to, or that you've added nothing to, then we can agree to disagree.

well, they HAVE added something: a distribution channel.

there are plenty of examples of this across all the globe, comprising every segment and corner of every market that produces a tangible good for consumption.

[jmaf]

well, they HAVE added something: a distribution channel.

That's a good point right there.

Edit: But there's a fine line there, a gray line should I say. Should distribution channels print their brand? I know they do...Carrefour sells rebranded milk, industrialized by chong chang kong company. Walgreens sells rebranded toothpaste(well they used to 20 years ago) but have they added anything to the lead clad toothpaste coming from CheechNchong District?

Nike shoes are branded by Nike, made by Chinese. But they're made to specs, there's quality control, tests, etc.

I don't know why I'm even arguing about this, it's just that as a consumer I don't like the thought of rebranding with no value added. I don't like these no-name cars they're selling here in South America lately, I don't know I can trust them, several of these no-name brands are appearing every day, the cars break down, the brand disappears and the next day there's a new new brand in town coming from some corner of the earth selling cheap cars that break down.... As a consumer I don't appreciate that.

[dai h.]

hey dai.

i forgot to mention that one of the requirements is that the bottles have straight sides... just because of the very cramped power tube spacing in the BAGA (they're basically touching). i don't think the kt-120 is going to fit. plus i don't think i can afford 12 at nearly $50 each. LOL

12 of those (KT90). Yikes. Sounds like the re-tube job from hell (on the wallet esp. at "super scarce old stock tube" prices)!

[Ronsonic]

Well I guess there's an irreparable cultural gap at play here. If you think it's fine to print your name on something you have no relation to, or that you've added nothing to, then we can agree to disagree. I'm not going to be buying Milli Vanilli records anytime soon because I actually care to know that the singer actually does the singing.

I still don't understand your tone there. If you do your own rebranding and that's why you're mad at what I said, you can keep your customers I don't want them.

Nothing I sell is a rebranded anything. But I will admit to some irritation that I'll need to examine. I have no relationship to ARS of any sort aside from an occasional purchase.

I don't see why you call this "print(ing) your name on something you have no relation to, or that you've added nothing to." ARS has these caps made, they sell them, they deal with any failures in the field (presumably, I'm unaware of any failures). That sure as hell sounds like a relationship to me. In fact it sounds like all I need.

Your presumption of dishonesty regarding a company that has been in business for a very long time that has been supplying those caps for at least ten years to a lot of techs and boutique manufacturers does grate on me. I cannot imagine why you think it is less than honest for them to label and stand behind a product.

I don't care if Milli Vanilli sing or if the Monkees played their own instruments. I would object to a lip-synch show, but I never go to them so its only theoretical. I don't feel cheated if an actor uses a stunt double or if there is CGI.

I don't care who makes and brands my switches as long as they work and the company whose name is on the side stands behind them if there's a problem.

[jmaf]

Listen Ronsonic, I said nothing about ARS, I said in general I don't like rebranded stuff for the reasons I explained.

What's with the attitude in here ...folks trying to push ideas down one another's throats. If you gotta point about ARS, say it, don't f'n rant about it, I only asked what I get with the rebranded caps and you gimme 200 lines of rhetoric. I don't care about ARS and now I don't like it before even knowing it.

[kg]

12 of those (KT90). Yikes. Sounds like the re-tube job from hell (on the wallet esp. at "super scarce old stock tube" prices)!

thank god the ei v2 were tough old buggers, with a good hard vacuum. going on 13 years now? still make my pants shake...

i tried running sovtek/reflektor 5881s and they held up, but didn't sound nearly as good--no shimmer and chime, just flat and dead. maybe a preamp rebuild/tweak could bring some of it back, but i'll cross that bridge when i have to.

[bluzmn]

well, they HAVE added something: a distribution channel.

there are plenty of examples of this across all the globe, comprising every segment and corner of every market that produces a tangible good for consumption.

Oh boy, it looks like I really opened a can of worms here; I agree with kg. All Silvertone and Airline amps were rebranded; was that dishonest or unethical? And I doubt that any of the major supermarket chains actually manufacture their generic (supermarket-branded) products. The examples are endless.

[Steve Conner]

All Silvertone and Airline amps were rebranded; was that dishonest or unethical?

They were cheap and crappy enough that I think selling them, period, was borderline unethical.

Anyway, none of us obviously has any practical experience of ARS capacitors, so why don't you buy some and report back to us?