Which capacitors to use? (polyester, polycarbonate, ceramic, tantalum, electr.)

[srb1954]

Polystyrene capacitors are great (except for their low maximum temperature), but they are no longer generally available.
When good dielectric properties are needed in a film capacitor, polypropylene has replaced them.

Polyphenylene-sulphide PPS is also a fairly good substitute for polystyrene in many less critical applications.

It has good temperature withstanding characteristics and is available in SMT form factors. In critical applications where hi-K MLCC capacitors are not suitable due to their temperature drift, voltage dependency, etc PPS can often be a suitable substitute that is compatible with SMT manufacturing processes.

[CatalinaWOW]

Thanks for the links and suggestions.

Is it more or less correct to summarize the "1980 to 2024 capacitor equivalents" like this?:

(Attachment Link)

I think we all understand that you want to simplify the answer.  And most are cautious about doing that because there are cases where this oversimplification will bite you.  The simplest answer is to replace all electrolytics and tantalums with modern electrolytics.  Replace all film capacitors with polypropylene. 

I assume from your comments that you are using the original layout for the boards, and indeed may already have the PWBs at hand.

Prior to ordering parts use the photos/layouts of the boards to estimate the sizes of the capacitors in the original and see if the current models available are compatible with those sizes.  Remember that through hole is more flexible than surface mount in this area as you can elevate some components above the board slightly to give them more clearance.  It is OK to buy larger parts if you have a plan for how to make them fit.

There is some chance that this simplest substitution approach will cause you problems.  You can come back to this forum with descriptions of the problems encountered and find help in understanding and correcting the problem, though in all probability other things than the capacitors will be the problem.

Also understand that your ear may actually like the result, even if it doesn't match the original exactly.  Only you can answer that question.  You can only compare to the original if you have one, in new condition, to compare with.   After forty plus years of aging it is unlikely that you will actually find such a reference beast.