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Peter Wieck[_2_] Peter Wieck[_2_] is offline
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Default Introducing a New Horse to the Stable

OK... getting down to basics:

Electrolytic capacitors are essentially chemical engines. The materials dev=
eloped over the last 20 years have greatly improved along with longevity an=
d reliability, but they remain chemical engines. A single very large capaci=
tor will, therefore, necessarily be slower than multiple smaller capacitors=
in parallel, all other things being equal. The limiting factor being real-=
estate in most cases.=20

Generally, I try to run multiple caps in parallel where real-estate permits=
, with a small-value, high-voltage film cap across each as a snubber. This =
is a preference, not a requirement.=20

For something as brute-force as a power-supply for audio purposes, the diff=
erence(s) will be manifest only at or near clipping, or when the amps are f=
ed signal with extreme Peak-to-Average content. A cap bank will be able to =
deliver a *marginally* faster transient than a single very large cap. NOTE:=
If you are going to have the capacity (pun intended) to overdrive your out=
put devices for these transients, you might need to install some sort of sp=
eaker protection. Solid-state devices often do not clip nicely.=20

Peter Wieck
Melrose Park, PA