Posted on Saturday, 26th September 2009 by Auw Jimmy

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It’s a weekend holiday and it’s time to scratch my laziness and doing some audio DIY mods. This time, I will try a capacitor from Jensen, the 4-Pole Electrolytic.

What makes it different from standard electrolytic? Well, it has 4 poles instead of 2 of standard electrolytic (that’s why they call it Jensen 4-Pole capacitor – I wonder why 4-Pole instead of 4-Poles?) But that’s simply out of our discussion here.

Again another question, why it has 4 Poles instead of 2? Keep reading.

jensen4pole

The basic idea it to separate the input and output lines of the electrolytic. As you can see below, the 4 poles has their own function. It has 2 Input poles and 2 Output poles, each has their own positive and negative pole. So by using this capacitor, we will create virtual separation between input side and output side – as if we are having 2 capacitors connected in parallel.

Caveat: Due to this 4 poles design, you will need to change your circuit layout to adopt this Jensen 4-Pole Capacitor. This capacitor will replace my old Mundorf M-Lytic High Voltage 560uF/400VDC. This Mundorf is very good capacitor, but I think not on the par with this Jensen 4-Pole. So that’s why I decide to change it.

jensenpoles

I also replace the Chokes. The old one is non-gapped Choke. This new one is gapped Choke. Bigger and heavier, also higher Henries.

chokes

The new layout of my Aikido Power Supply section. Now we have all “premium” capacitors on the power supply section: The VCap Teflon TFTF, ASC X386S Oil Capacitor, and Jensen 4-Pole Electrolytic. On this testing session, I still use 5U4C instead of my RGN.

psu

Everything looks smooth. I turn on the High Voltage switch. My meter reads about 250VDC output (about 10VDC drop compared to my old non-gapped Chokes). Time to feed the music then…

The first time I hear the sound of Norah Jones, I already could hear the different. The Jensen 4-Pole sounds so natural. The vocal is so sweet and warm compared to my Mundorf M-Lytic (I feel the Mundorf sounds a little bit aggresive compared to this Jensen 4-Pole although if you never compare it, the Mundorf seems already good enough!)

The staging also improved and locked tight on the center for the main singer. Some track from Livingston Taylor and Ingram Washington also proves this to be true.

I also feel the background is darker while the staging is definitely wider. This things actually I already got from the VCap, but this Jensen adds its “ohh so natural” sound. I think I like this capacitor… Although I have to spent around US$50 or more for each ;)

Now it’s playing for its first 10 hours. Will do more examination after another 30-50 hours.



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Posted in DIY Audio | Comments (17)

17 Responses to “Testing the Jensen 4-Pole Capacitor”

  1. Jimmy’s Junkyard » Blog Archive » “Seductive” Night with RGN and New Power Supply Says:
    September 27th, 2009 at 00:51

    [...] over midnight. After my previous mod on my Aikido Power Supply section here, it’s time to test it with RGN rectifier. I pick my Tefefunken RGN1054 Mesh Rectifier [...]



  2. SS Says:
    September 28th, 2009 at 10:16

    No doubt jensen 4 pole is quite sweet, but the old version jensen 2 pole in orange/gold colour even more sweet but slightly less punchy…



  3. aphinx Says:
    October 30th, 2009 at 21:04

    Pak Jim, masih punya stok Jensen Four Pole-nya kah? hehehe … japri aja yaa …



  4. Bryant Says:
    November 17th, 2009 at 12:45

    Could you advise me ? I would like to use 220uF 450v, I have 2 choices, one use 4-pole Jensen and one use ASC X-386S 50uF x4 parallel = 200uF.
    I have enough space. which one should I select ?
    Best Regards,



  5. Jimmy Auw Says:
    November 17th, 2009 at 22:50

    ASC emphasizes more on sweeter vocal, while Jensen 4-pole has more naturality.
    That’s from my point of view… YMMV.
    Thanks.



  6. Bryant Says:
    November 18th, 2009 at 10:39

    Thank you so much. I will try them.
    Bryant



  7. Jimmy Auw Says:
    November 18th, 2009 at 18:19

    Update me the result, ok?
    Thanks.



  8. Bryant Says:
    November 19th, 2009 at 09:44

    OK.
    Bryant



  9. Dan Haines Says:
    February 8th, 2010 at 12:43

    What value of choke do you recommend if I only use one, or possibly two? Where do you recommend getting a quality gapped choke?



  10. Jimmy Auw Says:
    February 8th, 2010 at 23:49

    Hi Dan,
    Normally, first choke around 10-15H. Multiple filters are better.
    Perhaps you can try brand like Hammond or even more expensive one.
    Thanks.



  11. Dan Haines Says:
    March 6th, 2010 at 05:48

    Could you post your latest power supply schematic? Thanks,
    Dan



  12. Dan Haines Says:
    March 6th, 2010 at 05:50

    I bought some Jensen 4 pole caps, but am still unsure how to wire them, so I thought your schematic would help. Did you connect a choke between the 2 caps within the 4 pole case?
    Thanks,
    Dan



  13. Jimmy Auw Says:
    March 6th, 2010 at 15:23

    Hi,
    It’s just the standard LCLCLC power supply. Nothing special.
    The 4-pole wiring instruction is available on the Jensen website. You can download and check from there. Basically the + input (from the first choke) goes to + input on the 4-pole. Then the + output from the 4-pole goes to the next choke. The ground could be remain connected together (or separated) depends on your ground design.
    Thanks.



  14. jacob Says:
    May 19th, 2010 at 12:51

    hallo
    i have classe 25 a250 v and it have 33000uf 100vdc
    electrolytic caps 4 of them.

    i wold like to upgrade them to mundorf mlytic hc
    47.000uf 100vdc.
    ther is any good by canging to the higher uf?
    thank you
    jacob saar



  15. Jimmy Auw Says:
    May 19th, 2010 at 21:45

    Hi Jacob,
    Bigger uF means bigger storage power especially on the section which needs extra energy. But beware, too big of capacitance may produce unexpected result, like the reducing of speed and dynamic.
    It’s not easy to find the equilibrium point between the speed and the adequate capacitance. The best way is to try it.
    Thanks.



  16. Pascal Says:
    May 19th, 2010 at 23:42

    Hello Jimmy!
    I need some help on this topic. I am currently upgrading my 211 amp.
    The power caps for the high voltage are a problem. I was looking for the 4 pole Jensen because of the good reputation. But i cannot place them in series (about 950 VDC working voltage). I am planning to place them in series with a resistor connected parallel.
    Now i am not sure wich cap to use, i ‘ve already seen MUNDORF M-lytic SI 560uF@400VDC on ebay, but i am not sure if this is a solution. The Config is: 10uF 1600V Pio – 10H – 10uF 1600V Pio – 15H > mundorf or Jensen ??
    Hope you can help me out on this,

    Thanks



  17. Jimmy Auw Says:
    May 20th, 2010 at 09:33

    Hi,
    For 211, I think you could try high voltage of Solen, up to 1500VDC.
    For Jensen or Mundorf, you can put 2 or 3 in series, parallel with R, to get double or triple of voltage.
    Thanks.



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