best caps for audio?

[Oznog]

I need some small nonpolarized filter caps for the input to an ADC feeding a DSP system.
The question I have is, why is film caps the recommended type? Looking at the board's needs an SMD capacitor array would be great, but they're all in ceramic. I can get the values I need too. Are they ok or is ceramic somehow a quality no-no?

 

[Nigel Goodwin]

I need some small nonpolarized filter caps for the input to an ADC feeding a DSP system.
The question I have is, why is film caps the recommended type? Looking at the board's needs an SMD capacitor array would be great, but they're all in ceramic. I can get the values I need too. Are they ok or is ceramic somehow a quality no-no?

I wouldn't worry about it!, there's a lot of rubbish written about different component types, generally about imagined audible differences (even when measurements are identical!).

 

[akg]

The question I have is, why is film caps the recommended type?

why should it be,? , i don't see any reason... :roll:

 

[audioguru]

Ceramic disc caps change their value with voltage change. It makes even harmonic distortion (single supply) or odd harmonic distortion (dual supply) when the cap is used as a high-pass filter. Film caps don't do that and are perfect for audio coupling.

 

[Styx]

Ceramic disc caps change their value with voltage change. It makes even harmonic distortion (single supply) or odd harmonic distortion (dual supply) when the cap is used as a high-pass filter. Film caps don't do that and are perfect for audio coupling.

living up to yr handle

 

[Oznog]

Ceramic disc caps change their value with voltage change. It makes even harmonic distortion (single supply) or odd harmonic distortion (dual supply) when the cap is used as a high-pass filter. Film caps don't do that and are perfect for audio coupling.

I was wondering if that was it, I knew electrolytics often did this.

Are some ceramic types better, or is this a safe generalization that no ceramic types are ok?

 

[Dr.EM]

I have tried ordinary electrolytic against metallised polyester and there is a slight audible improvement using the polyester (as coupling caps). it seems the high frequencies sound clearer, but I must emphasise it was a small improvement (though I tested on cheap headphones, so to notice it on them it must have been something).

 

[Russlk]

COG ceramic is certainly OK but the values are small. I use X7R ceramic but would not use Z5U as a coupling cap.

 

[akg]

Ceramic disc caps change their value with voltage change. It makes even harmonic distortion (single supply) or odd harmonic distortion (dual supply) when the cap is used as a high-pass filter. Film caps don't do that and are perfect for audio coupling.

ohh... i didn't know that .. thanks audio...