I personally use Sprague atom and F & T brand electrolytics in any set i am working on along with Mallory film capacitors with the occasional orange drop 716P. Should i continue to use these or use generics? Seems like over the past two years prices have really shot up.
With electrolytics you want to use good brands.
With films....I guess it doesnt matter as much.
Most hobbyist businesses that sell them have some noname yellow caps and so far I havent heard complaints. I just bought some.
These days I use Solen film to replace 6 to 10 uF electrolytics, and place two 8 uF Solens in parallel to achieve 16 uF in order to replace 16-18 uF electrolytics in RCA sets. Of course, I'm also restuffing electrolytic cans so they work out well in these applications.
Otherwise, for electrolytics, I try to stick with known name brands - Nichicon, Panasonic, etc. Especially in stereo equipment.
I've been using no-name yellow film capacitors to replace paper caps for many years now and the failure rate has been close to zero. I've bought them from Bob Piekarz (
http://www.radioantiques.com) and at Kutztown meets from DVHRC to help support the club that puts on the Kutztown meets. I think the next time I need some, I'll purchase from Sal Brisindi (Sal's Capacitor Corner,
http://www.tuberadios.com/capacitors ).
Thanks for the link Ron i will check them out. I usually buy my caps through AES the selection is lack luster and pricey anymore tubes there have gotten out of hand.
That's because AES' primary customers are the guitar amp crowd.
As the old adage goes - it pays to shop around.
I should add that I have no complaints about Bob and radioantiques.com . Bob is a great, first-rate guy.
Here is my new supplier of tubes that Buzz told me about i have not bought any yet but the prices are very fair and Buzz said the seller is honest and direct.
http://findatube.com/
I buy almost all my tubes from Bob at findatube.com!
Source for Caps and stuff................
http://www.wjoe.com/
Joe is a good radio man, our club webmaster and has a cool last name.
Tubes...............
https://www.antiqueradiotubes.com/
Bob Dobush does a great job too, qwik and has a great selection. Can't go wrong.
Paul