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Post by jlm70 on Jul 25, 2020 15:03:22 GMT
Dear friends,
I'va a good old "stock" X-CAN v3, and just go around this awesome site.
What kind of recommended upgrade path do you advise?
I mean, which of the following "mods" add a major listening enhancement (especially jazz and rock).
My DAC source for HD files is currently using an "old" Sabre32 ESS9018 Reference, but I'm considering a Topping D90 (AK4499) upgrade.
Headphones are AKG K701 (on future upgrade path as well).
I’ve seen these potential mods:
- 6H23P Valves pair, £38
- Capacitor upgrade kit (incl. Mundorf), £95+10 to Italy
- Mundorf non inductive power resistor upgrade, £10+5 to Italy
- Little Pinkie SE PSU, £135+10.
I'm not a soldering expert, but I've all the required tools, shouldn't be that complex...
Many thanks in advance for any advice!
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Post by gotanster on Jul 26, 2020 13:00:53 GMT
Hi jlm70, neither was I nor am I a soldering genius now. But thanks to Mike and the X-10 v3 upgrade kit, I enjoy it more and more. So much so that after upgrading the X-10 v3, I hit the power amplifier. Capacitor replacement is also in full swing there. So I would not miss these two options: 21 hours ago Quote Post Options Post by jlm70 on 21 hours ago Dear friends, I'va a good old "stock" X-CAN v3, and just go around this awesome site. What kind of recommended upgrade path do you advise? I mean, which of the following "mods" add a major listening enhancement (especially jazz and rock). My DAC source for HD files is currently using an "old" Sabre32 ESS9018 Reference, but I'm considering a Topping D90 (AK4499) upgrade. Headphones are AKG K701 (on future upgrade path as well). I’ve seen these potential mods: - 6H23P Valves pair, £38 - Capacitor upgrade kit (incl. Mundorf), £95+10 to Italy It really has an audible and enjoyable effect on both valve replacement and capacitor replacement. At least that's definitely the case with me. And I enjoy it. There is only one danger in the matter: this desire for development is addictive.  |
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Post by jlm70 on Jul 26, 2020 20:13:35 GMT
Thanks Gotanster!
Did you buy the Pinkie as well?
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Post by gotanster on Jul 27, 2020 5:41:41 GMT
Thanks Gotanster! Did you buy the Pinkie as well? I thought hard about it, I had already talked to Mike briefly about psu. But I came across an MF X PSU v3, so I bought it quickly. The picture is thus uniform with it, but the effect on the sound is small for me. While the X 10 v3 valve and capacitor upgrade is very noticeable. |
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Post by jlm70 on Jul 28, 2020 6:30:43 GMT
OK, bought the complete set: talking with Mike I understood how passionate and competent he is in his work.
I'll try adding one mod at a time, and doing some soldering practice in advance (!), so to try listening at the differences... hoping my no-kid ears are still able to discern :-)
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Post by gotanster on Jul 28, 2020 9:38:35 GMT
OK, bought the complete set: talking with Mike I understood how passionate and competent he is in his work. I'll try adding one mod at a time, and doing some soldering practice in advance (!), so to try listening at the differences... hoping my no-kid ears are still able to discern :-) I think you will hear and feel in your mood the different. I have bought a vacuum desoldering gun/station before the upgrade of X 10 v3. Fast and safe I think working with him. And of course when I bought it I already guessed that not only does X 10 v3 get new capacitors. I haven't spared the power amp since. |
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Post by jlm70 on Jul 31, 2020 5:25:37 GMT
Thanks |
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Post by jlm70 on Aug 12, 2020 21:27:57 GMT
Having just finished the mod (as in other post), I can confirm the most tricky part is... desoldering the old components (with no desoldering station - I had an heat gun... but didn't work so well, so I did prefer using the solder and the usual vacuum pump).
I did lose one of the copper holes in a diode, and I had to connect the new ultrafast diode to a closer area, worked with sand paper. It was my very first work on a PCB and... at the end I'm so happy of the result!
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Post by gotanster on Aug 13, 2020 6:48:36 GMT
Having just finished the mod (as in other post), I can confirm the most tricky part is... desoldering the old components (with no desoldering station - I had an heat gun... but didn't work so well, so I did prefer using the solder and the usual vacuum pump). I did lose one of the copper holes in a diode, and I had to connect the new ultrafast diode to a closer area, worked with sand paper. It was my very first work on a PCB and... at the end I'm so happy of the result! Congratulations on your first successful project! And I read that you are listening to the result with great satisfaction! I wasn't so confident about desoldering, which is why I bought one: www.hqelektronika.hu/hu/digitalis-kiforraszto-allomas-80w-esd-soldsp-1010drSince then, I've taken great advantage of both the preamp and the amplifier. In vain, if one is not born a soldering genius, one can make things easier. |
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