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Post by dodgy on Jul 14, 2013 7:57:07 GMT
Greetings from NZ!
I have had my Xcanv2 for many years now, and it has been a fantastic journey. Initial pairings were with an A3 CD player and HD600s. A few years ago, I went mad and did the whole Mullard gold pin valve upgrade (bliss!!), better PSU, Pana and BG caps, diodes, upgraded pot, etc.
Last year I purchased a set of HD800s and I really love them. With parenthood pending and a smaller house, sadly my Pass Labs 2 channel setup is in storage and my sole listening pleasure is my headphone rig. More recently, I have gone to a Hackintosh running Pure Music and a modded Valab DAC with MF 192k V-link.
So, where is this post heading? I am looking to upgrade the X-Can, but I have no idea what to go to. I initially looked at a Beta 22 DIY, but I simply have no time to build these days (witness one unfinished Pass Pearl phono stage for my Well Tempered TT)
Reading some reviews, I thought next of Woo Audio - the WA22 in particular. Then I started reading of the Bryston BHA-1 headphone amp, and that is appealing. Throwing the Headamp GS-X into the mix as well, but there is no way in hell I will be able to hear that nor the Woo in this part of the world (even the Bryston is looking unlikely).
Has anyone else undergone a similar upgrade on this forum? My head says Bryston, as does my wallet. Heart says Woo (just because I have loved the music from my X-Canv2 so much).
Or is it a case of the X-Canv2 (with the upgrades) really does punch above it's weight and I cannot easily do better?
thanks in advance :-)
Simon
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mrarroyo
Been here a while!
Our man in Miami!
Posts: 1,003
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Post by mrarroyo on Jul 14, 2013 10:04:26 GMT
Simon, you could upgrade the X-Can V2 and just be out a few quids. The other amps you listed (of which I have heard the WA22) are way more money and if you find out the sound is not for you then you cold loose a lot of money.
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Post by PinkFloyd on Jul 14, 2013 19:45:40 GMT
Simon, you could upgrade the X-Can V2 and just be out a few quids. The other amps you listed (of which I have heard the WA22) are way more money and if you find out the sound is not for you then you cold loose a lot of money. The law of diminishing returns apply with all "steps" in headphone amps.... it depends on if you are willing to spend money to achieve small gains? I have, personally, come around full circle..... I started with an X-CAN V2, many years ago, and have had the privilege to listen to / own / sample MANY headphone amps. Every amp has own unique "signature" but no amp (whatever the "price") is leaps and bounds better than another. Better to spend your money on your source or maybe try a few different types of headphone with the V2. You are more likely to get a marked improvement with a pair of headphones that suit your ears than you are with swapping out amps. A GOOD amplifier will "amplify" the signal, no more no less. Garbage in / garbage out has always been a good addage..... it can only amplify what it is fed so if the source is lacking NO amplifier will turn a sow's ear into a silk purse and swapping amps for more money will only buy you more of the same but in a sleeker "looking" package. The V2 is a damned good headphone amp and up there with any of today's offerings..... Your source (CD player, media player, turntable etc.) is paramount to good SQ..... if it's not feeding the amp with the best possible signal then no "aftermarket" cure (cables, buffers, rainbow foil etc.) will help. The headphones are a different kettle of fish entirely..... some can sound "good", some can sound "mediocre" and some can sound "mind blowing"..... even WITH a crap source! It's all about synergy and what sounds good to YOUR ears..... if your amp is a decent one (which it is) then I would tend to experiment with different flavours of headphones / different sources. It's all about trial and error but spending WADS of money on an amp is not the best starting point. Mike.
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Post by dodgy on Jul 14, 2013 23:21:04 GMT
Thanks Mike and Miguel
Yes, my V2 has been fully upgraded as per my post, and it really does sound lovely. I did listen to the newer M series amp and preferred mine.
It may be that I cannot do much further and I am already at the end of the journey? The source is excellent, it in fact sounds a lot better than the KW DM25 transport and DAC that I have (and have modded with Silmic II and LME49720 opamps.
I do very much enjoy the HD800. When I first trialled them, I thought that they were very good, but didn't really grab me. A few weeks ago, I had a late night listening session, and they simply blew me away..
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Post by techboy on Oct 6, 2013 5:11:11 GMT
How did you find it compared to the M series? What were the differences? Have you tried any other amps? Thank You Aakshey
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