The Atom's have been around for a long time. I don't know if the construction of them has changed. I do know that it's only in the last decade that people report the "tiny cap in a big can" thing. I vaguely recall someone cutting open an old one and a new one and they were indeed different. I mention this because, like many tubes made today, it's possible the "specs" for the Atom caps is grandfathered in, but is actually a spec for the older design.?. Just "spec"ulating (yuk yuk)
Regardless of that... The lack of a life spec is something I always found suspicious. I mean, if you fail to promise the product will last then it's pretty easy to bump a spec idn't it? Also, the 85* temp rating. As mentioned, this will have an affect on that ripple current spec. The Nichicon is rated at 105*. I wonder how the Atom would spec at 105* in it's 7000th hour
Nichicon is a very good product. I stopped using Atom caps and Orange Drops because of their stupid high price. I mean, those products do have a little bit of celebrity draw, but at some point you gotta say "That's enough gouging, get the "F" outta here." That, and I was occasionally getting Atom's that would under perform when new or soon after installation. Some would "burn in" and be ok, others wouldn't. So I've been using the Nichicon PW's for about six years. And guess what.?. No more new amps humming like they don't know the words or making sum/difference notes like a ring modulator. Now, I'm not a repair tech or an amp company. I only build a few amps for people that ask me to. But I've used the Nichicon PW's in three new products and three repairs (one recap was an older amp I built sixteen years ago with Atom's) and I spec'd them for a design I worked on with a major manufacturer. So, for whatever my part is, I'll endorse the Nichicon PW's.
Regardless of that... The lack of a life spec is something I always found suspicious. I mean, if you fail to promise the product will last then it's pretty easy to bump a spec idn't it? Also, the 85* temp rating. As mentioned, this will have an affect on that ripple current spec. The Nichicon is rated at 105*. I wonder how the Atom would spec at 105* in it's 7000th hour
Nichicon is a very good product. I stopped using Atom caps and Orange Drops because of their stupid high price. I mean, those products do have a little bit of celebrity draw, but at some point you gotta say "That's enough gouging, get the "F" outta here." That, and I was occasionally getting Atom's that would under perform when new or soon after installation. Some would "burn in" and be ok, others wouldn't. So I've been using the Nichicon PW's for about six years. And guess what.?. No more new amps humming like they don't know the words or making sum/difference notes like a ring modulator. Now, I'm not a repair tech or an amp company. I only build a few amps for people that ask me to. But I've used the Nichicon PW's in three new products and three repairs (one recap was an older amp I built sixteen years ago with Atom's) and I spec'd them for a design I worked on with a major manufacturer. So, for whatever my part is, I'll endorse the Nichicon PW's.
Comment