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Post by clausdk on Sept 22, 2009 23:42:47 GMT
It is so much prettier in real life, my photografic skills are almost as bad as my camera.
I took me about a month to build, well not 8 hours a day, but rather 10 hours a week, I have a table, stereorack, the furniture that holds my fishtank also the bottom in front of our windows (can not remember the english word) are in the same wood, but different patterns, so it fits my living room very nice.
Only downside is the size it is very big 30*30*30 cm
My next project is for the amp. that I hope to win on this site. . . . . . . .
I would love building enclosures for the members of this forum, shoot me a PM if interested.
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Post by PinkFloyd on Oct 4, 2009 21:22:50 GMT
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Post by PinkFloyd on Oct 4, 2009 21:24:21 GMT
Mike, in my V2 which you modded back in May of 2006 you installed some kind of bypass around the diodes. I notice you no longer use them, and that now you install them off the board about 1/8". Do you find that using the plain diode you get a better sound? Should I change the diodes in mine? Thanks. Hi Miguel, The snubber caps don't make a "huge" difference so I no longer take the time to fit them.... don't remove them in your V2, they certainly won't do any harm  Mike. |
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Post by fogster on Oct 5, 2009 18:01:46 GMT
X-10 D - 04th October 2009 ELNA RE2J (105c) caps, EVOX / Rifa 220nF, Oversize 4.7uF coupling caps, UF4001 ultrafast diodes, new quad phono socket, purple LED, Russian 6H23N Valves. Very nice photo's.  If she sounds anywhere near as good as she looks then I'll be very pleased - though I normally work on the basis that anything new will sound a bit disappointing at first, then I forget about it and start to appreciate the benefits a month or so later... |
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Post by fogster on Oct 10, 2009 15:28:30 GMT
X-10 D - 04th October 2009 ELNA RE2J (105c) caps, EVOX / Rifa 220nF, Oversize 4.7uF coupling caps, UF4001 ultrafast diodes, new quad phono socket, purple LED, Russian 6H23N Valves. Very nice photo's. If she sounds anywhere near as good as she looks then I'll be very pleased - though I normally work on the basis that anything new will sound a bit disappointing at first, then I forget about it and start to appreciate the benefits a month or so later... I've had the modified X10D back for three and a bit days now, just enough time to warm up, and already she SOUNDS MAGNIFICENT! (Disproving my theory that any upgrade will initially be disappointing). Firstly, thanks Mike for the EXCELLENT SERVICE. Safely returned in under a week, extremely impressive. Yes, I probably ought to be able to do the mods myself, but I'd only end up giving myself third degree burns and breaking the X10D, I would definitely recommend your service. Secondly, there are CLEAR IMPROVEMENTS in SQ: a rich, warm full sound with better bass and without harshness, very good for playing quite loud without even annoying the missus! But it's not just a sweet mush, there is good timing and precision, a natural sound that brings out vocals well and reveals plenty of detail. This the BEST VALUE FOR MONEY upgrade I've ever made to my system. The best thing is, I've never quite been satisfied with the sound from my system before, but now I've got a sound that I actually like, without having to search for improvements all the time (I suppose that won't stop me though!  ). And I'm looking forward to further improvements over the next few weeks as everything beds in. I have no idea how the electronics work, but I'd say the X10D is not really colouring the sound to any great degree, rather it seems to be bringing out the maximum sound from the other components and allowing them to perform at their greatest potential. And it's doing that MUCH MORE EFFECTIVELY after the mods. Lastly, I have to say I was very sceptical about the PURPLE LED.  Actually it's a kind of bluish purple and very cool in more ways than one, I LOVE IT! The new phono sockets are a significant improvement, the original ones much more solid (the original ones were wobbly). ALL IN ALL A TRULY EXCELLENT JOB, WELL DONE MIKE, AND THANK YOU VERY MUCH! An order for a Little Pinkie PSU will be coming your way shortly... |
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Post by PinkFloyd on Oct 10, 2009 19:09:12 GMT
Hi Mike, received the 3.3 uF cap and noticed that my 470 n uF cap is by-passed as shown on the pic below. When I install the 3.3 uF do I remove both or just the blue 470 n uF cap? Thanks.  Hi Miguel, It looks like I have bypassed the Evox cap with a silvered mica cap..... remove both and just fit the 3,3uF WIMA. You will note there are two pads towards the centre of where the Evox (blue cap) is fitted..... solder the red Wima onto these pads. Your ceramic valve bases arrived today but the buffoon who sent them has sent the wrong type (he's sent chassis mount types) I will have to order some more so please be patient my friend  Mike. |
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Post by PinkFloyd on Oct 10, 2009 21:07:16 GMT
Hi Mike, I can see the pads on the pic below. Do I need to run any kind of jumper to the un-used pads on the outside? Thanks.  Miguel...... it's the two pads that the silver mica cap (the one in the picture) is attached to..... NO, just leave the two other pads blank. |
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FauDrei
Been here a while! 
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Post by FauDrei on Oct 24, 2009 21:32:25 GMT
Hmm, if I'm not mistaken, 6N1P have rather different specs than standard 6922's for which V2 was designed... more current draw I think...
Still strange. The one that worked in my V2 (other was DoA) sounded rather good.
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Post by PinkFloyd on Oct 24, 2009 21:37:19 GMT
Installed the cap without any issues. Tried to use 6N1P / 6H1N but it had a lot of hum/noise which never did before so went back 6H23eb, hum/noise went away. Weird if you ask me.  Miguel, Were you listening to the 6N1P "naked" (ie: not inside the enclosure)? If so then, yes, they will be a bit noisy ;D Shutting down the lid should get rid of that totally.... I take it you have soldered the 3u3 cap on adequately? The 6N1P can be a pretty cranky valve and I tend to totally avoid them these days and always provide the warning "use at your own risk" when people buy them from me.... Remember Bennyboy? He boasted how you should "live life to the max" and had no concerns about using them in his V3...... the damned thing went up in smoke and totally shagged his PCB beyond repair  For some reason they are fine when they are working but if they decide to go south they take out half the amp with them.... Very unpredictable things and I would recommend you bin them ;D I'll be sending your ceramic bases on Monday and will also send you a couple of boxed 6H23N..... these are from a sealed factory box / never seen the light of day:  I've got a few hundred of them and am storing them for a good few years but you can try a couple in your V2 man..... they are nice, never been touched by human hand since production, and totally fresh.... give them a couple of hours to warm up before listening Mike. |
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Post by PinkFloyd on Oct 24, 2009 21:40:15 GMT
Hmm, if I'm not mistaken, 6N1P have rather different specs than standard 6922's for which V2 was designed... more current draw I think... Still strange. The one that worked in my V2 (other was DoA) sounded rather good. Yes, to be precise, DOUBLE the current draw of the 6H23N / 6922. |
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Post by Deleted on Oct 24, 2009 21:56:40 GMT
Mike, could you clarify this tweak and the output caps (1000uf/16v from memory) , I must have missed when it was originally wheeled out and can't find it now Ta, Chris |
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Post by PinkFloyd on Oct 24, 2009 22:49:31 GMT
Mike, could you clarify this tweak and the output caps (1000uf/16v from memory) , I must have missed when it was originally wheeled out and can't find it now Ta, Chris Yes, basically replace the 470nF input cap with the 3.3uF WIMA. Replace the 470uF output cap with 1000uF........ check out the corner frequency chart and enter the impedance of your 'phones as "resistor" and "Capacitor" as your output cap...... it will soon make sense www.sengpielaudio.com/calculator-RCpad.htm |
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Post by PinkFloyd on Nov 2, 2009 20:37:37 GMT
02nd November 2009 - NicK Streeter's X-CANS (V1)  PSU Board - Panasonic FM, Panasonic NHG, Samwha VA, UF4001 ultrafast diodes, Purple LED. Mainboard - CapXon 10uF non polars, EVOX Rifa 470nF, Samwha VA 100uF, ALPS potentiometer, Jalco Pro headphone socket, new quad gold plated phono socket, Russian 6H23N valves.        |
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Post by PinkFloyd on Nov 3, 2009 23:02:56 GMT
Those first generation X-Can sure look nice! Great job as usual Mike! I still prefer V1 over V2, V3, V8 Miguel ;D I'll send you my prized V1 over for a listen if you like? Mike. |
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Post by PinkFloyd on Nov 10, 2009 17:43:26 GMT
10th November 2009 - Ian Craig's X-Can V2 PSU board: Panasonic FM, EVOX Rifa, UF4007 bypassed with WIMA MKS4, Purple LED Mainboard: Nichicon Fine gold, Ceramic valve bases, 6H23N (1970's vintage), New quad gold plated phono sockets, ALPS potentiometer, Jalco pro headphone socket, input caps replaced with radial ferrite inductors, CapXon non polar output caps.           |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 10, 2009 20:06:32 GMT
1) Are the little blighters (UF4007) mounted under the board then? 2) Does this, on its own, reap any audible reward or is dependant on other changes? ......curious cat, don't kill me |
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Post by PinkFloyd on Nov 10, 2009 21:06:36 GMT
1) Are the little blighters (UF4007) mounted under the board then? 2) Does this, on its own, reap any audible reward or is dependant on other changes? ......curious cat, don't kill me 1: Yes, mounted on the underside of the board. 2: Very slight audible benefits, mostly in the bass department.... I tend to not bother fitting them usually but, on this occasion, decided to go the whole hog to extract as much performance out of the V2 as I can.... they certainly don't do any harm that's for sure |
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FauDrei
Been here a while!
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Post by FauDrei on Nov 11, 2009 1:39:39 GMT
Shucks! my V2 has developed an slight buzz on the left channel. Can only be heard at low volumes, will open her up to replace the sockets w/ the ceramic ones that Mike sent me. Before doing so will swap the tubes to see if the buzz moves w/ the tubes. Hope it is a tube going bad since that would be an easy fix. Will keep all posted. Cheers. My money is on dirty/oxidized valve pins... Ceramic valve sockets do help with such problems (not because they are ceramic, but because they are higher quality and have much better contacts compared to stock sockets). |
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Post by PinkFloyd on Nov 11, 2009 21:41:18 GMT
Actually it was a loose valve. Last weekend I took a trip to Orlando with a bunch of gear including the X-Can V2. I figure the 500 mile round trip caused a valve to come loose and thus the noise. I am very happy and tomorrow I will install the two ceramic valve sockets that Mike sent me. Will take pics and will post here. Thanks.  The ceramics I sent you will clear that up no problems Miguel... the stock sockets become "sloppy" after a few valve rolls.... you can easily rectify the contacts by prising them inwards with a pin, or small screwdriver, this tightens them up. When you roll the valves into the ceramics be warned.... it's a MUCH tighter fit.... bear down on the valve slightly whilst gently rolling it in DON'T put all you weight into it or you may snap the PCB |
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Post by PinkFloyd on Nov 11, 2009 22:21:35 GMT
10th November 2009 - Ian Craig's X-Can V2 PSU board: Panasonic FM, EVOX Rifa, UF4007 bypassed with WIMA MKS4, Purple LED Mainboard: Nichicon Fine gold, Ceramic valve bases, 6H23N (1970's vintage), New quad gold plated phono sockets, ALPS potentiometer, Jalco pro headphone socket, input caps replaced with radial ferrite inductors, CapXon non polar output caps. Ian, I will be shipping your V2 on Friday (special delivery) so you should have it on Saturday morning, I've had her on test for 48 hours and she sounds superb. I will ship the Pinkie seperately via recorded delivery, with a bit of luck you will have that on Saturday too. Mike. |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 11, 2009 22:45:54 GMT
;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
Thanks Mike. I am REALLY grateful for all of the help you've given me and am almost drooling at the prospect of hearing a V2 that's been proper done up.
I've even bought nice new shiny interconnects for it. Yello are going to be canary Yello on the weekend then!!
One big happy bunny hear.
Thanks for the work that you've done on it Mike.
Ian
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Post by PinkFloyd on Nov 11, 2009 22:57:50 GMT
;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D Thanks Mike. I am REALLY grateful for all of the help you've given me and am almost drooling at the prospect of hearing a V2 that's been proper done up. I've even bought nice new shiny interconnects for it. Yello are going to be canary Yello on the weekend then!! One big happy bunny hear. Thanks for the work that you've done on it Mike. Ian She will sound great straight out of the box Ian, I've put around 48 hours on the clock, but with all new amps do give the components a good couple of hundred hours to cook before expecting the "very" best out of the unit.... from initial power up the V2 usually comes on song after about 30 - 45 minutes. Mike. |
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Post by PinkFloyd on Nov 12, 2009 13:35:07 GMT
Was able to make the time today (being a holiday and all) and swapped the sockets for the ceramics. The sockets are indeed very tight to insert the valves. However the little "tits" that inserted into the board and soldered are larger in the ceramics than the holes on the board. I had to "crush" the "tits" to make them fit. Here is a picture of bottom of the board after soldering the ceramic sockets.  Miguel... the "tits" are a perfect fit, all I can think is you didn't suck all the solder off the pads.... the "tits" are a snug but perfect fit there should be no need to bend them! Nice soldering job BTW |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 12, 2009 18:47:24 GMT
She will sound great straight out of the box Ian, I've put around 48 hours on the clock, but with all new amps do give the components a good couple of hundred hours to cook before expecting the "very" best out of the unit.... from initial power up the V2 usually comes on song after about 30 - 45 minutes.
Mike.
Thanks Mike. I've only got about 100 hours on the V8 so far, I think. I really like the Little Pinkie power supply though. It's funny 'cos it looks so much better in real life than on the pics. It's weighty too. Runs warm but not hot and very quiet.
The pictures of the V2 look fantastic. What amazes me is how clean everything looks inside. It looks like a brand new amp. You are a very clean worker Mike. (Not like me then)
I've got a little space ready for the V2 now. Nce new interconnects (Van den huls and some Chords which I'll try) and Yello will be steaming through them. In fact, I may have a totally Yello weekend if it arrives!!
Ian
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Post by PinkFloyd on Nov 12, 2009 19:53:24 GMT
Thanks Mike. I've only got about 100 hours on the V8 so far, I think. She's still a bit of a virgin then From my experience these amps really do come on song after a good few weeks of usage then, after that period, further improvements are a lot more subtle.... 100 hours can be considered the first stage in the burn in process. Thanks Ian, you're not the first person who has said it looks better in real life.... most people are surprised by how big, and weighty, it is.... I think they were expecting something the size of a fag packet The latest transformers do run a lot cooler than the earlier ones, you could fry an egg on the enclosure on some of the very early models Essentially it "is" a brand new amp Ian... all the capacitors have been replaced with new ones (all 105C rated) so it will last for many, many years (way over ten) I chose a nice clean example for you, some of them (which have been left powered up all their working life) have scorch marks under the transistors.... this one is as clean as a whistle.... let's just hope Royal mail don't beat the shit out of it in the post  I think I'll join you mate! Been ages since I've listened to the like of Stella, you gotta say yes to another excess, Claro Que Si etc. etc. I may just shut down from the world (not that I could be considered as part of the "normal" world anyway) and get lost in the mad world of Yello  I may even whip out some Tangerine dream, Kraftwerk and, who knows, maybe even some vintage Terry Riley (of "rainbow in curved air" fame).... You know, Ian, I'd totally lost it with my music for a good while there but am slowly getting back into it bigtime..... the Senn HD-250ll have definitely helped, they are a real pleasure to listen to. Anyways man, before I totally derail this thread, your V2 and Pinkie will be in the post tomorrow.... I'll send you down some stock JAN / Philips 6922 valves next week as a "starter" in the addictive practice of "valve rolling"..... that's the beauty of this amp, you can roll in different flavoured valves and find a pair that really suit your ears All the best, Mike. |
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If she sounds anywhere near as good as she looks then I'll be very pleased - though I normally work on the basis that anything new will sound a bit disappointing at first, then I forget about it and start to appreciate the benefits a month or so later... 
). And I'm looking forward to further improvements over the next few weeks as everything beds in. I have no idea how the electronics work, but I'd say the X10D is not really colouring the sound to any great degree, rather it seems to be bringing out the maximum sound from the other components and allowing them to perform at their greatest potential. And it's doing that MUCH MORE EFFECTIVELY after the mods.
Actually it's a kind of bluish purple and very cool in more ways than one, I LOVE IT! The new phono sockets are a significant improvement, the original ones much more solid (the original ones were wobbly).
I may even whip out some Tangerine dream, Kraftwerk and, who knows, maybe even some vintage Terry Riley (of "rainbow in curved air" fame)....