Maximum Contact between the Coils
With power supply capacitors, it is not only the capacity that determines the performance, but above all how the current is fed into and out of the coil. This is precisely where the number of contacts — i.e. the connection lugs/tabs between the outer connection (screw connection or solder connection) and the coil — plays a central role. This contacting determines how evenly current is distributed in the coil, how high the losses are and how “fast” energy is actually available at the amplifier stage during load jumps.
Industry standard vs. audio peak capacitor
With traditional industrial types, the number of contacts is almost always a compromise: More tabs mean more process steps, more material and higher costs. With our top-end capacitors, we are consistently shifting this compromise towards maximum technically feasible contacting — because this is precisely where a significant part of audible power supply performance is achieved.
Electrotechnical properties
Maximum contacting has a direct effect on the most important characteristics of a power capacitor:
ESR decreases (equivalent series resistance)
More contact flags mean multiple parallel current paths. The effective contact resistance between connection and coil is reduced, and the capacitor can operate load pulses with a lower voltage drop.
ESL drops (self-inductance)
Additional contacts shorten effective current paths and reduce loop surfaces in the interior structure. This reduces the inductive component of impedance — particularly relevant for rapid current edges and dynamic load changes.
Better power distribution in the coil
The electricity does not have to “flow” through a few points into the film and then spread along the entire length of the film, but is fed in at several points. As a result, local current densities, hotspots and loss shares are reduced.
Reduced eddy current losses in the electrode film
As a result of the additional supply, the effective electrode area is divided into smaller areas in terms of power distribution. This reduces large circulating currents and the resulting eddy current losses. The flow of electricity is more defined and lower in losses.
Macro-microphonic effects
We understand macro microphony as stabilizing the interior structure against noticeable relative movements under current load. More contacts indirectly support this stability:
- Lower local forces and hotspots due to more uniform power distribution
- less mechanical “stress” at individual contact points
- quieter behavior of the coil under large pulse currents
This reduces the probability that load pulses will result in noticeable amounts of movement in the wrap, which could be felt as “pumping” the supply.
Micro-microphonic effects
On the fine level, maximum contact helps because it makes the current flow more uniform and less dependent on load:
- fewer contact-induced micro-modulations at individual junctions
- cleaner power delivery to the amplifier stage
- more stable impedance response under dynamic load
Overall, this contributes to a supply that is not only strong, but also remains calm and reproducible.
Sound character
In playback, maximum contact is shown as sovereignty under load: transients appear more stable, the dynamics remain more controlled at level peaks, and the bass has more grip. At the same time, there is a quieter overall impression because the supply is less prone to slumps, reverberations or load-dependent modulations.
Typical uses
- Top power supply memory in powerful transistor amplifiers (class AB, also class A)
- High power supplies in active systems and professional applications
- Applications with severe load jumps where ESR/ESL and power distribution are critical
- Systems in which, in addition to performance, consistency and peace of supply are required
