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Post by PinkFloyd on Nov 4, 2019 19:59:24 GMT
The X-CAN V2 is an iconic little amp (that packs a nice punch!) in stock guise but with a few easy "tweaks" it can be turned into a true giant killer. In this thread I will share the most effective tweaks with you in a simple to follow (what you see is what you do) type format. All of the tweaks are proven to work and bring about great sonic benefits (and then some!). Feel free to add your own tweaks and I will happily try them out in my X-CAN V2 test bed amps. For the time being here are a few tried and tested tweaks that will take your X-CAN V2 to a totally new dimension in sonic excellence..........
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Post by PinkFloyd on Nov 4, 2019 20:18:12 GMT
Tweak one:Better volume control. Do you find your V2 volume control goes from low to loud fast? A big problem with the stock setup is that the volume goes from low to loud FAST with a short turn of the volume knob. Better to use the entire range of the pot (channel accuracy is a lot better at the midway point of travel)..... this simple tweak allows you access to the the FULL range of the pot (ie: low to loud SLOWLY). You will need 2 x 0.25 watt 3K9 resistors for this tweak. Fit them (as shown) and you have just opened up the full potential of your volume control PLUS (even with this very simple tweak) you have improved the sound quality........ don't take my word..... go ahead and try it    A VERY simple (cheap as chips) tweak (for starters)....... lots more to follow. Mike.
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4c
<100
Posts: 24 
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Post by 4c on Nov 4, 2019 21:41:51 GMT
Looks good. I think I'll keep my eye out for a V2 on eBay. I feel another project coming on :-)
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pingu
Been here a while! 
Reallising what has been taken on with the GB
Posts: 332
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Post by pingu on Nov 4, 2019 23:08:46 GMT
Tweak one:Do you find your V2 volume control goes from low to loud fast? A big problem with the stock setup is that the volume goes from low to loud FAST with a short turn of the volume knob. Better to use the entire range of the pot (channel accuracy is a lot better at the midway point of travel)..... this simple tweak allows you access to the the FULL range of the pot (ie: low to loud SLOWLY). You will need 2 x 0.25 watt 3K9 resistors for this tweak. Fit them (as shown) and you have just opened up the full potential of your volume control PLUS (even with this very simple tweak) you have improved the sound quality Excellent idea Mike. The shunt. Shunt pot always find them good. I did this when I put a stepped attenuator in the Darkvoice and it works very well indeed. I can vouch for that, it made the DV listenable across almost the entire travel of the pot. If you rich and have the space you can use zfoils but that’s at least £20.00 not a few pence 🤭 Following this thread with interest 👍 Martin |
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Post by PinkFloyd on Nov 5, 2019 12:19:18 GMT
Tweak 2: Less is more. If your source output is free from DC then remove C102 & C202 (input coupling caps) and jumper over the pads with a zero ohm link (an offcut from a capacitor leg / a piece of wire etc.) A nice little tweak and costs nothing! Remove C102 / C202  Jumper over pads with wire link:  |
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Post by PinkFloyd on Nov 5, 2019 12:20:08 GMT
Tweak three: Show me the copper guv! The stock MF noise nulling shield is made from aluminium. Pure copper is a much better material to use (as Ken Ishiwata will attest to) so why not spend ten minutes making your own pure copper noise nulling shield? All that is required is some copper sheet (1mm thickness) a drill / drill bit and a hacksaw. Stock MF aluminium noise nulling shield:  DIY (almost as expensive as chips) copper noise nulling shield:    I'm enjoying this.... applying all of the tweaks to a fresh "virgin" X-CAN V2 (pretty much been in a box for 20 years) I'm going to penetrate every hole (solder joint) to the max...... gently, for starters, and working up to a massive aural jizz fountain! More to follow........... |
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Post by PinkFloyd on Nov 5, 2019 21:34:11 GMT
Tweak Four. Ditch the stock pot! Lose the stock pot and the shitty little "nipple" knob The stock MF pot is a generic 50K linear pot........ an ALPS 50K Logarithmic pot is a better choice. Just a few of the generic pots I have pulled from V2 amps:  They are mostly (cough) SHITE! Fit a decent 50K log pot, makes a big improvement to the SQ. Hand matched for channel accuracy. ALPS (Japanese made) 50K Log pot in situ: |
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Post by PinkFloyd on Nov 5, 2019 21:50:19 GMT
Knob on ALPS pot....... A bigger knob has a better feel  |
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Post by PinkFloyd on Nov 24, 2019 20:09:01 GMT
Tweak 5: Fresh input. The X-CAN V2 is over 20 years old so it's important to replace the old tired / oxidised phono sockets with a minty fresh new quad phono socket: 20 year old socket:  New socket in situ:  This simple tweak is cheap and ensures the connectivity between source and amp is not compromised due to oxidization. |
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Post by PinkFloyd on Nov 24, 2019 20:16:25 GMT
Tweak 6 Fresh headphone socket. Yet another "minty fresh" connection tweak. The stock headphone socket:  Nice piece of kit but has been in service for over 20 years..... oxidisation city! Brand new JALCO Pro socket fitted:  |
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Post by PinkFloyd on Nov 24, 2019 20:32:06 GMT
Tweak 7 Yet another connection tweak! The stock valve / tube sockets are CRAP..... they are a loose fit and don't grip the valve pins with any authority........ fit a decent pair of ceramic valve sockets! Stock valve socket:  Ceramic socket:   |
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Post by PinkFloyd on Nov 24, 2019 20:38:55 GMT
Tweak 8 Matched Valves. For the ultimate performance, ensure that valves are hand matched (per triode) with regard to gain: side one  Side two  |
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Post by PinkFloyd on Nov 24, 2019 20:49:51 GMT
Tweak 9 The 3D tweak...... opens the soundstage up!  Remove the 1uF film cap from C106 / C206: Fit 10uF non polar cap to C106 / C206:  The 1uF caps that were removed are now fitted in parallel to C103 / C203:   |
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Post by PinkFloyd on Nov 25, 2019 10:17:35 GMT
Tweak 10 PSU board:  Replace 1N4007 diodes with ultrafast UF4004 types:  Brand new DC socket:  WIMA MKS4 1uF / 100V:  If fitting a blue LED, remove the stock 330R resistor from R5 and fit a 100K resistor to R5, the 100K resistor will tone down the glow of the blue resistor:  Panasonic FM / 35V / 1500uF:  |
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Post by PinkFloyd on Nov 25, 2019 10:23:31 GMT
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Post by rassama on Jun 23, 2020 10:06:17 GMT
Amazing that you are still looking (and finding!) new ways to improve the v2. Something that could never be done with most modern day amps.
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hithefijunk
<100
...without deviation from the norm, progress is not possible...(F. Zappa)
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Post by hithefijunk on Dec 5, 2020 13:18:54 GMT
Hi Folks,
Any idea if this can could power enough an AKG K240 Monitor (600 Ohm version)? I'd be glad to get opinions which would certainly help for a purchase-then-upgrade project as shown upper... Thanks for comments and Mr Pink Floyd contribution, that is fantastic to see all what is explained.
MF.
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Post by PinkFloyd on Dec 6, 2020 21:24:33 GMT
It will drive an AKG K-240 with ease.... all day long mate.
All the best
Mike.
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hithefijunk
<100
...without deviation from the norm, progress is not possible...(F. Zappa)
Posts: 3
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Post by hithefijunk on Dec 7, 2020 17:56:56 GMT
Hi Mike, PM for you ... FM |
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