Premium Electrolytic Capacitors for Audio
$ 3.50
Longtime audiophiles will recall the sensation of "Black Gate" electrolytic capacitors. Made in Japan by Rubycon until August 2006, these capacitors have been revered for their sonic qualities. Prices on NOS Black Gate caps range from $40 to $500.
We have always sought out the best components in the world for use in MicParts and Roswell microphones. This led us to partner with Rubycon to create what we feel is the best electrolytic capacitor for audio on the market today. These Roswell capacitors employ special foil, special etching, and custom formulations of electrolyte -- all based on the original Black Gate designs.
The available inventory appears below. We have no plans to make every possible value/voltage combination; rather, we focus on the values we need for our microphones (including the tube mic power supply). As compared to other capacitor suppliers, our limited selection favors small size (because microphones tend not to be arbitrarily large) and low voltage (because most microphone circuits run at 48VDC).
Available Inventory
| Value (µF) | DC Voltage | Polarized | Lead Material | Lead Spacing (mm) | Diameter (mm) | Height (mm) |
| 3.3 | 200 | Polarized | Ferrous | 2.5 | 6.3 | 11 |
| 10 | 63 | non-polar | Ferrous | 2 | 5 | 11 |
| 22 | 50 | non-polar | copper | 2.5 | 6.3 | 11 |
| 47 | 6.3 | non-polar | Ferrous | 2 | 5 | 11 |
| 47 | 250 | Polarized | Ferrous | 5 | 12.5 | 20 |
| 82 | 400 | Polarized | Ferrous | 5 | 12.5 | 40 |
| 100 | 50 | Polarized | copper | 3.5 | 8 | 11.5 |
| 330 | 25 | Polarized | copper | 3.5 | 8 | 11.5 |
| 470 | 50 | Polarized | Ferrous | 5 | 10 | 20 |
Applications / Suggestions
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82µF/400 - filter cap for B+ rail in tube mic power supply.
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47µF/250 - filter cap for B+ rail in tube mic power supply.
- 470µF/50 - filter cap for F+ rail in tube mic power supply.
- 10µF/63 - filter cap in nearly any microphone circuit; super useful due to its tiny size.
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47µF/6.3 & 22µF/50 - cathode bypass cap in tube circuit, JFET source cap in FET circuit.
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100µF & 330µF - filter caps in Schoeps-style microphone circuits.
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3.3µF/200 - filter caps in tube circuit.
DIY Kit Upgrade Options
These electrolytic capacitors were designed for MicParts' "Platinum Edition" mics, and for Roswell Pro Audio mics. If you are buying a MicParts DIY kit, or wish to upgrade an existing MicParts circuit, see the list below for specific compatibility information.
Circuit Kits
- 990XF circuit kit: three 10µF/63
- AT2020 kit: one 100µF/50, one 330µF/25
- AT2035 kit: one 47µF/6.3, two 22µF/50
- CM1800 kit: one 100µF/50, one 330µF/25
- Fox 460 circuit kit: one 47µF/6.3, two 3.3µF/200
- MP-V57 circuit: two 330µF/25, one 100µF/50
- Multitrack kit: two 100µF/50, four 330µF/25
- TL3 circuit: two 330µF/25, one 100µF/50
- V-251 circuit kit: one 47µF/6.3, one 3.3µF/200
SDC mic kits
- Transformerless (Schoeps style) SDC mic kit: two 330µF/25, one 100µF/50 (per mic)
- SDC-84 mic kit: three 10µF/63 (per mic)
LDC mic kits
- 12-251 mic kit: one 47µF/6.3, two 3.3µF/200
- S-87, S-47, S-12: two 330µF/25, one 100µF/50
- S3-87, S3-47, S3-12: two 330µF/25, one 100µF/50
- T-67 kit: one 47µF/6.3, two 22µF/50
- V-47 mic kit: one 47µF/6.3, two 3.3µF/200
- V-251 mic kit: one 47µF/6.3, one 3.3µF/200
- V-47 LE mic kit: one 47µF/6.3, one 3.3µF/200
Tube Mic Power Supply
- VPS DIY kit: two 470µF/50V
Third-party microphones
Studio Projects C1/C3: most of these mics use one 47µF and two 220µF electrolytics. Replace the 47µF with a Roswell 100µF/50V, and the two 220µF with two Roswell 330µF/25V parts. (See also our "U87 EQ" mod kit for C1/C3.)
