Steve Edwards Posted August 6, 2021 Share Posted August 6, 2021 I recently had my SS mono amps recapped. While picking them up, I was discussing capacitors & their longevity with the owner of the shop. In addition to recommending shutting down the amps once a month for 24 hours (I usually leave them powered on 24/7) so that they could "cycle", he asked me if I had any LED lights near the amplifiers. He indicated that they can cause damage or shorten the life of the capacitors. That's the first time I've heard that; has anyone else? I do have a small lamp on the floor (with an LED bulb) behind each plant, sitting next to each speaker. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomicTime Posted August 6, 2021 Share Posted August 6, 2021 we use Whale oil lanterns….. 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GdnrBob Posted August 6, 2021 Share Posted August 6, 2021 I do recall Pat at SMCAudio telling me that they disconnected the LED's on their amps as it resulted in a slight degradation in sound quality. but, I never heard of them causing damage to capacitors. B Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomicTime Posted August 6, 2021 Share Posted August 6, 2021 both Aesthetix and ARC have facility to turn off the led and or display. There is a slight sonic benefit in my system 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stratocaster Posted August 6, 2021 Share Posted August 6, 2021 Fascinating…. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RWP Posted August 7, 2021 Share Posted August 7, 2021 I'm shocked. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ctsooner Posted August 7, 2021 Share Posted August 7, 2021 interesting thread. I'm also wondering about cycling the caps by turning off gear every month a day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Vandersteen Posted August 7, 2021 Share Posted August 7, 2021 LED's do cause noise and is well known. Ripple and heat are what damages electrolytic caps. Turning a component on and off is the ultimate max ripple which caps are designed to handle but there is no evidence to support this practice as an advantage. It is recommended to bring the voltage up slowly if they have been off for years. Film caps do form and change sonics over time but last almost forever. Most electronic devices last longer if they are left on except for tubes or LED's. RV 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MNSki Posted August 7, 2021 Share Posted August 7, 2021 Steve, was he referring to screw-in LED bulbs that you use to light a room being detrimental to sound quality? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ctsooner Posted August 8, 2021 Share Posted August 8, 2021 Guys, I can honestly say that my system would pick up noise from the LED lights in my room. This was a big reason I installed 2 totally isolated circuits that are both individually grounded outside with copper rods. It made a large difference in sound. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Edwards Posted August 8, 2021 Author Share Posted August 8, 2021 Thank all of you for the feedback. No Jim, they’re the two-pin type that just insert into the socket. I’m not ready to run independent circuits yet, but I will ditch the LED’s. Is a halogen a better choice than an incandescent? Also, for ambiance, I have both those lamps on a dimmer. Might that also be a source of noise? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomicTime Posted August 8, 2021 Share Posted August 8, 2021 yes almost all dimmers dump noise back into circuit. A dedicated line might be pretty affordable option. Put it on opposite leg of panel than heat pump, refrigerator, motors…. IF possible. i also try to get anything with a switch mode power supply on a separate power conditioner Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GdnrBob Posted August 8, 2021 Share Posted August 8, 2021 I concur with @TomicTime. Adding a dedicated line is usually pretty simple- especially if the wires are accessible. My main system is on the first floor and the basement under it allows for easy access. It also allows me to run my interconnects under the floor to my monoblocks that reside a few feet from my Treo's. And, if you do add a dedicated line, then have the electrician install a whole house surge protector- If you don't have one already. It adds another layer of protection for all your equipment. Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ctsooner Posted August 9, 2021 Share Posted August 9, 2021 Guys, I had the main lines installed when they built the place, so it didn't cost any extra. I recently had them run the two circuits to an opposing wall as my system is set up on a different wall then when I first installed it. It cost me only $500 for them to come in and cut the baseboard/drywall as needed and installed a box (all outlets are the AQ Edisons) behind each speaker and then another box behind the rack. The second circuit is on another box behind the rack and is used for the router (need the direct hook up behind my server), the LPS I use for router, along with the Apple TV box and other boxes used (used to be Xfinity before I started to stream). it has darkened the noise floor in a BIG way. The Niagara also does a fair amount of heavy lifting, but even when I ran without a special conditioner etc, it was outstanding. I was quoted 1k to do a retro install in a house we are looking at. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Edwards Posted August 10, 2021 Author Share Posted August 10, 2021 On 8/7/2021 at 1:16 PM, MNSki said: Steve, was he referring to screw-in LED bulbs that you use to light a room being detrimental to sound quality? He didn't specify the type of base and actually, he didn't mention a detriment to sound quality. His assertion was that LED's can shorten the life of the caps. All this makes me wonder what is used in all the audio shows. There is certainly no dedicated outlets in hotel rooms. Do dealers use incandescent or halogen bulbs? My understanding is that halogen throws a brighter, whiter glow, while an incandescent is a little warmer, which would be my preference. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Vandersteen Posted August 10, 2021 Share Posted August 10, 2021 Steve, great point! This is why one should never come to any absolute conclusion at any show. Example; I get better sound out of a Quatro CT in my home than I have at shows with the Model SEVEN! Hotel room, high ambient noise background, mediocre power, impossible to bring appropriate sound treatment unless the room is familiar and only a day or so to sort the system out. We often use equipment based on trying to lower cost by sharing rooms (always a good choice obviously but sometimes not the best choice for you) because the show are costly and there is no hope to see enough people to be justified. How many of you have your system tweaked in one or two days. The only hope of getting any conclusive evaluation at a show would be to bring your own music and sit in the sweat spot on Sunday morning when few are present and the room is yours (quiet). They are fun and it is possible to sort out the lesser products but most of them do not have dealers so this may be your only exposure. One of the most important ingredients for great sound is "Signal to Noise" this is why we use isolation for turntables, power conditioning and constrained layer damping in our speakers but the ambient noise of the room is often forgotten. Most residential parts or our cities have similar power day or night but our systems always sound better at night! This is not power related but if we check the Radio Shack SPL meter (you should all own one by now) our signal to noise is 10db or more improved. This is a big deal as it lowers traditional distortion numbers by a factor of four. For many the best next investment may be new windows for the sound room. RV 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ctsooner Posted August 11, 2021 Share Posted August 11, 2021 I think we need to buy a new house so that I can install a dedicated listening room. Ha. I’m half serious Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomicTime Posted August 16, 2021 Share Posted August 16, 2021 many of the dedicated rooms I visit in are sterile, over treated and often look like a bizarre Mariott lobby. I vasty prefer natural materials, rugs, complex shape to the room, real furnishings. i especially loathe 8’ of boxes on the floor in a maze leading to the turntable…. new windows and door coming along w 20 db mini-split AC 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomicTime Posted August 16, 2021 Share Posted August 16, 2021 i will be sure to take noise baseline, before and after…the door leaks like a sieve ….. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ctsooner Posted August 16, 2021 Share Posted August 16, 2021 Jim, I totally agree with you on using natural materials in the room at reflection points etc.... I'm so open (loft and open hallways into bedrooms), so I don't have standing bass waves issues. The bass is dialed in nicely. I do have a couple of windows in difficult locations, so they got 'treated' with honeycomb shades and I have a couple of quilts to put up on the side walls where first reflection will be. I also use a screen that is folded like an accordion on the back wall and it has worked ok. Plants in between the speakers and on the sides of the TV (that has to be in the middle of the speakers) also have worked well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomicTime Posted August 17, 2021 Share Posted August 17, 2021 Pete - sounds like you are on the right track ! This photo is of the condo room. The RT 60 is a .65, with the recording studio control room standard being .62. I plan to get there with a whisker of absorption behind the listening chair this coming fall. No fancy treatments….yet. Steve Edwards also has a very natural, lived in but sonically excellent room for his Quattro. Best to all. Jim 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ctsooner Posted August 17, 2021 Share Posted August 17, 2021 Thanks much. I do love that veneer and the grill color. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GdnrBob Posted August 17, 2021 Share Posted August 17, 2021 @TomicTime, Aren't you concerned with all the direct sunlight on your furniture and speakers? Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomicTime Posted August 17, 2021 Share Posted August 17, 2021 as Neil Young sang… “ Rust never sleeps “ , or The Eagles : “ every form of refugee has it’s price “….There are some Blinds on all the windows and door, also good for about a Db of absorbing ( not broadband )…. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Edwards Posted August 18, 2021 Author Share Posted August 18, 2021 Thank you Jim. That room of yours looks most inviting. I eagerly await the opportunity to hear some tunes in it when you return to the Southland. Play on 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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