From: pcdhSpamMeSenseless@electrooptical.net   
      
   On 2026-01-21 12:46, Cursitor Doom wrote:> On Wed, 21 Jan 2026 12:42:50   
   -0500, Phil Hobbs   
    >  wrote:   
    >   
    >> On 2026-01-19 18:45, Cursitor Doom wrote:   
    >>> Hi all,   
    >>>   
    >>> I think it might be a good idea to replace all the tantalum caps used   
    >>> for coupling and decoupling purposes is Uher tape deck I'm fixing up   
    >>> with new ones as I gather tants can go flaky over time. Now I have an   
    >>> awful lot of these caps in NOS  - see link - which I'd like to use up   
    >>> if possible. I can't think of any reason why they shouldn't be   
    >>> perfectly usable - can you? They're polysomething film types I   
    >>> believe:   
    >>>   
    >>>   
   https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTjegZQJ94N   
   9dxJVpN4ISUbqPxfF_jFdBFCQ&s   
    >>>   
    >>> Will I be okay to use them?   
    >>>   
    >> You should be fine replacing the coupling caps.   
    >>   
    >> Whether it works on the decaps depends on whether the circuit requires   
    >> the higher ESR of the tants for stability.  Some do, some don't.   
    >   
    > Thanks, Phil. You're the word of God AFAIC. :-)   
    > I'm also grateful to our other contributors of course. We often   
    > disagree over fine points like this and sometimes it's impossible to   
    > know whose approach is most appropriate in any given circumstance.   
      
   Just what I need, a head bigger than the universe. :(   
      
   In places like the tone controls, where the impedance levels are higher,   
   it might be worth paying attention to the "outside foil" dot, if there   
   is one.  (Wound caps usually have the dot, but stacked ones don't.)   
      
   Cheers   
      
   Phil Hobbs   
      
   --   
   Dr Philip C D Hobbs   
   Principal Consultant   
   ElectroOptical Innovations LLC / Hobbs ElectroOptics   
   Optics, Electro-optics, Photonics, Analog Electronics   
   Briarcliff Manor NY 10510   
      
   http://electrooptical.net   
   http://hobbs-eo.com   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)