Best brands of Capacitors?

[Bluesgeetar]

I just got my new Mouser catalog in the mail and I downloaded the catalog off of Digikey.  There are many brands of new caps available.  Which brands have the best quality for sound apps and right values and stuff.  :?:

[Peter Snowberg]

It's really hard to go by brand for quality. There is just so much variation. For instance there are several types of orange drops with widely ranging sound/construction and Mallory 150 series (regarded as the best tone cap by many) were actually made in Asia by an unnamed subcontractor.  Most cap factories produce products under multiple names.

Here are some generalities:

Plate/electrolyte technologies:
 -  Film & Foil  (best)
 -  Metalized Film (next best)
 -  Ceramic  (junk unless you WANT that sound)
 -  Electrolytic  (junk, but the only realistic choice for large values)
 -  Tantalum (really bad, again, unless you want THAT tone)
 -  Paper & Oil  (great tone, but limited lifespan)

For film types:
 -  Teflon  (ultimate [unrealistic for DIY audio])
 -  Polystyrene  (perfect, except they can't take heat)
 -  Polyester (mylar)  (excellent material)
 -  Polycarbonate (lexan)  (excellent material)

There are many types but in general audio use, metalized film is 2nd best, and film/foil is the best.

Sound is so subjective, I would say try out a couple types if you want to compare new offerings.

-Peter

[Bluesgeetar]

I know Aron has an answer to this question.  I remember him referencing certain brands in the past.  But gosh darn it those archives are still beyond reach.  Aron could you please answer this please.  Can't remember the brands you mentioned.

thanks
:?

[Peter Snowberg]

You can't just go by brands. One brand may offer a bunch of different types, some excellent, some less so. You want to focus on the type and materials.

For effects use, any film type capacitor will work great. For larger values, use any electrolytic with a high enough voltage rating. For tiny capacitors use any silver mica or ceramic of X7R or NPO type. Any brand. It doesn't matter. More expensive caps will geneally be better, but only to a point. Use what you can afford, but even cheapo Xicon caps will outperform expensive brand name capacitors if you ignore the construction and materials.

-Peter