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Post by PinkFloyd on Nov 12, 2009 20:11:01 GMT
I had to "crush" the "tits" to make them fit. Stop being a cheapskate! Buy your wife a decent bra that fits  |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 12, 2009 20:27:20 GMT
I've been getting 'hate mail' because of this thread!!!! Lovely things like, 'You lucky bustood.' 'What's wrong, you only got one 'ead mate.' Charming eh?
Music is really important for me just for relaxation. I like to be open to anything I can get my hands on and listening gear is the thing that gets you into the 'effort' and the 'sweat' involved in the process of making music.
I've been auditioning all kinds of things recently and the one thing that grabs you in good sound, is the fact that you can hear that there is a living person on the other side of the speaker/headphone. It isn't just a sound that needs to be turned down so you can hear people speak.
In fact, the V8 of all things has opened up some previously quite difficult listens for me and it really engages you with the emotion/drama of the music. Those valves that you sent moved it up too.
The sound almost becomes pure emotion once you connect with the musicians and that's what I love about listening to the top guys. Not just notes, but guys making a real effort on the other side of the gear.
It's nothing to do with how treble sounds, or how much bass there is. It's something else and once you hear it, you start to really look for the gear that can get you closer to them.
This speaker stuff I've been listening to has spoilt me rotten. The sound stage was so accurate it was bloody scary. It was like having ghosts in the room. Still teetering but I'm resisting the urge to spend the money cos I could buy two cars with the silly amount that it costs.
Soundstaging for me is difficult on headphones but I love the upfront presentation of headphones to be honest and I find that one link that gets the musicians close to you is the amp. Absolutely crucial. (Well, after the source I suppose)
Again, the V8 opened the stage up slightly for me but in a funny kind of way, I'm getting a bit worried about the V2 doing better by the looks of what you have done in there!! Also because of comments sent to me about it.
So it's Yello, Shpongle, Ozric Tentacles, Estradasphere, Bjork, Zappa and a little Thomas Dolby for fun, for me.
I don't know if you know Peter Green, but he's coming over to hear your V2.
Ian
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Post by PinkFloyd on Nov 12, 2009 20:51:55 GMT
Peter Green of Fleetwood Mac? Cool  One band I never really got into ....apart from being mesmerised by "albatross" when I was a kid.... I doubt his hearing will be "Fleetwood Bat" like these days? Ian..... I think I know where you're coming from now and it's a pleasure to have you as a member of the forum..... don't you want me baby? Am I close? Mike. |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 12, 2009 21:01:45 GMT
Yes. Hence the M on the name. Number 10 is also the numbers of letters in the second name. But that's a long way away now. (It might be better for me if you took the song off!!!!)
I love this forum. Great place to be and a lot of knowledge out here. Read it for a long time before ever joining in.
Peter had been quite ill and I stumbled across him in the supermarket. I was never a fan of F. Mac either, but he has been producing some wonderful Blues with his Splinter Group over the past years.
A character to be sure with guitars all over the wall. A fan of tubes of course so he's going to have a listen on Sunday. (If it's here)
Ian
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Post by PinkFloyd on Nov 12, 2009 21:13:35 GMT
Nice to know the music makers are slumming it with the component cobblers ..... Bring it on! Mike |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 12, 2009 21:29:18 GMT
Nice to know the music makers are slumming it with the component cobblers ..... Bring it on! Mike You guys don't slum it. The specialist guys produce stunning kit!! You're the other side of the market and in many ways, drive it as well. Recordings = gear = good gear = more recordings ...... It's all good. Ian |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 14, 2009 11:43:52 GMT
Mike,
The V2 and power supply have arrived safe and sound. Delivered in the middle of a nasty thunder storm so I was worried about damp atmpsphere.
Let it stand for a couple of hours and warming it up on the power supply now. Couldn't resist a listen ......
Fan bloody tastic. Can't wait til everything's warmed up and then burned in.
Great clarity into sound from startup. Also lots of dynamic range.
I can't believe how clean the amp is. It looks brand new. How on earth did you get such a clean version?
Many many thanks Mike.
Ian CM
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Nigel
Been here a while! 
Watching over Gotham City keeping us safe
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Post by Nigel on Nov 15, 2009 1:07:41 GMT
Just read the bit about Peter Green. My word! I guess you knew him already then, Ian? Can't imagine you came across a chap in the local supermarket & said didn't you used to play guitar in Fleetwood Mac, fancy a listen to a modded X-Cans. Great to imagine him listening to it though. Incredible story. Peter Green wow!
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Post by Deleted on Nov 15, 2009 8:48:57 GMT
Just read the bit about Peter Green. My word! I guess you knew him already then, Ian? Can't imagine you came across a chap in the local supermarket & said didn't you used to play guitar in Fleetwood Mac, fancy a listen to a modded X-Cans. Great to imagine him listening to it though. Incredible story. Peter Green wow! We work in the same circle and he's a neighbour. (One of his places anyway) Came across him accidentally at home. OF course no-one recognised him in the supermarket but he was wearing a silly 'pork pie' colourful hat (A short colourful version of Tommy Cooper's fez) and what with his hair, if you know his face, you wouldn't miss him. Over the years, I've seen him around and it turns out he lives near me. He is also a keen listener like myself. He plays in a band called 'Friends' nowadays, but I liked his Splinter Group stuff. Ian |
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Post by PinkFloyd on Nov 15, 2009 21:34:30 GMT
Mike, The V2 and power supply have arrived safe and sound. Delivered in the middle of a nasty thunder storm so I was worried about damp atmpsphere. Let it stand for a couple of hours and warming it up on the power supply now. Couldn't resist a listen ...... Fan bloody tastic. Can't wait til everything's warmed up and then burned in. Great clarity into sound from startup. Also lots of dynamic range. I can't believe how clean the amp is. It looks brand new. How on earth did you get such a clean version? Many many thanks Mike. Ian CM Everything I do is "clean" Ian I would NEVER punt out anything to anybody that wasn't 100% as clean as it could be..... some of the V2's I've bought have arrived looking like the owner has been eating their dinner off them.... a bit of TLC gets them back to "good as new"  |
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Post by apmusson on Nov 22, 2009 1:00:38 GMT
Hi Mike,
I see that my V3 has made its way to you. I wasnt 100% confident that it would arrive undamaged so forgive me for the amount of packaging that I used.
I am looking forward to seeing the first photos of the mods on this page. I'm also looking forward to hearing the results of your work sometime next week. I actually broke my usual budget approach to interconnects and bought some silver ones in anticipation (after hearing my friends modded V3 with silver ICs).
Ade
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Post by PinkFloyd on Nov 22, 2009 19:01:35 GMT
Hi Mike, I see that my V3 has made its way to you. I wasnt 100% confident that it would arrive undamaged so forgive me for the amount of packaging that I used. I am looking forward to seeing the first photos of the mods on this page. I'm also looking forward to hearing the results of your work sometime next week. I actually broke my usual budget approach to interconnects and bought some silver ones in anticipation (after hearing my friends modded V3 with silver ICs). Ade Hi Ade, I've got a bit of a backlog at the moment but hope to have your V3 completed next week sometime. Mike. |
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Post by PinkFloyd on Nov 24, 2009 20:57:18 GMT
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Post by apmusson on Nov 24, 2009 22:50:40 GMT
Mike,
Nice work mr caveman.
I am in awe of your skills with the soldering iron and your knowledge of electronics and your experience with the mf kit. I wasnt expecting to see results this soon, but it has brightened my day. Thanks.
Email me with your paypal details and I'll settle up with you and send you my return address.
Cant wait to get it back.
Ade
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Post by apmusson on Nov 28, 2009 18:34:01 GMT
Mike,
I got my MkIII back this morning and Ive been letting burn in for a few hours before giving it a whirl.
Wow, I couldnt be happier. Its like having a new amp - one thats more refined and powerful at the same time. It sounds great - i'm a happy customer. The slight screechiness with the original mkiii has completely gone - replaced with a smooth but lively sound and improved dynamics.
You've probably heard all this stuff before but its worth restating imo.
Ade
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Post by apmusson on Nov 28, 2009 18:42:14 GMT
O and Thanks very much!
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Post by PinkFloyd on Nov 28, 2009 19:50:35 GMT
Mike, I got my MkIII back this morning and Ive been letting burn in for a few hours before giving it a whirl. Wow, I couldnt be happier. Its like having a new amp - one thats more refined and powerful at the same time. It sounds great - i'm a happy customer. The slight screechiness with the original mkiii has completely gone - replaced with a smooth but lively sound and improved dynamics. You've probably heard all this stuff before but its worth restating imo. Ade Hi Ade, Give both the amp and the Pinkie a week or so and, then, expect the real SQ to kick in..... it gets even better Glad you like it so far. All the best, Mike. |
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Post by PinkFloyd on Dec 10, 2009 23:05:14 GMT
Benjamin Tesler's X-CAN V2 - 10/12/09 PSU board: UF4001 ultrafast diodes, WIMA 3.3uF film cap, SAMWHA VA, Panasonic FM, cap dampers and Purple LED. Mainboard: Ceramic valve bases, input caps replaced with zero ohm links, 1000uF output caps, Nickel plated quad phono sockets, JALCO Pro headphone socket, ALPS potentiometer, metal stand off dampers, matched Russian 6H23N valves. Sounds lovely               |
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Post by PinkFloyd on Dec 30, 2009 22:09:30 GMT
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Post by inspired on Jan 8, 2010 4:13:24 GMT
Wow Mike, it looks absolutely fantastic. I guess it's on its way across the Atlantic now. I'm curious to learn if you left the 3.3uf WIMA power input caps in or went back to the 470nf caps. I can't wait to get it settled back into my system and hear how it sounds paired up with the Little Pinkie PSU and cryoed Revelation Audio Labs DIN power cable!  |
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Post by PinkFloyd on Jan 29, 2010 21:34:23 GMT
29th January 2010 - Richard Hey's X-Can V2 PSU Board: UF4007 ultrafast diodes, WIMA 3uF polyprop, Panasonic FC 1200uF, cap dampers and, for a change, a green LED. Mainboard: 1000uF non polar output caps, Panasonic FC, Jalco pro headphone socket, input tracks bypassed and wired with twisted CAT5 wire, New quad gold plated phono socket, Ceramic valve bases, input caps removed, Russian 6H23N valves, ALPS 50K potentiometer and new knob.               |
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Post by PinkFloyd on Feb 8, 2010 19:16:40 GMT
08th February 2010 - Ian Craig's X-Can V2 PSU board: Panasonic FM 1200uF. Panasonic NHG 1000uF, Samwha VA 2200uF, Panasonic FM 2200uF, cap dampers, WIMA 3.3uF, UF4001 ultrafast diodes, Purple LED. Mainboard: Nichicon Fine Gold 100uF, input caps removed / replaced with radial ferrite inductors, 1000uF non polar output caps, ALPS pot, Jalco headphone socket, input tracks bypassed with CAT5 wire / twisted pair, ceramic valve bases, Russian 6H23N valves, gold plated quad phono socket and new alu knob. Lovely             |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 8, 2010 19:40:39 GMT
OMG. That's my little electronic wonder box having an operation!! It looks like it's out in the garden recuperating. Poor little thing has travelled over 500 miles to get its operation and now has another 500 to get back home...... The back end has certainly changed on the psu board...... They're bloody big 'uns!! It's got a new shiny knob. I feel like an expectant father.  It looks fantastically clean in there. Mike, you're so meticulous. I'll never trust anyone else ever again with electronic repairs or mods. I have never understood how you got it to look like a brand new amp from the start. It just doesn't look like an old amp in any way. It actually looks brand new and works like a dream. The amp and its little box friend (Little Pinkie) are my two favourite pieces of equipment that I actually savour when I listen on it. It is absolutely superb as it is and now with the mods, yet more quality out of it? Ian |
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Post by PinkFloyd on Feb 8, 2010 20:16:39 GMT
OMG. That's my little electronic wonder box having an operation!! It looks like it's out in the garden recuperating. Don't worry Ian..... I gave her an injection before the operation and then took her outside into the fresh air to recover.... the operation went well. Again, don't worry..... she will be returning by special delivery so will only be in transit overnight.... by the way, it's more like 700 miles Yes, Panasonic FC 2200uF Yes, the knurled aluminium knob suits her Why? was you expecting the amp to give birth?  It's a lovely example of a V2 and, if you dust it occasionally, will look the same in another 20 years..... I used a duster I think you'll be pleasantly surprised |
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mrarroyo
Been here a while!
Our man in Miami!
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Post by mrarroyo on Feb 9, 2010 1:46:46 GMT
Hi Mike, today I received the X10-D I won on eBay. I hope it is fine since the previous owner sent me a 12 VDC PSU, different from the one he showed on the eBay advertisement. I have already contacted him and he swears it was an honest mistake (the correct PSU will be sent) and that he never used the 12 VDC PSU.
I did fire her up w/ one of your Little Pinkies PSU and she is working. So I would like to ship it to you for your magic. I would like you to:
1. Replace the red light with a purple one to match the X-Can V2 I have.
2. Replace the diode w/ the ultra fast ones.
3. Replace all the caps as you normally do.
4. Replace the two tube sockets w/ a pair of ceramic sockets.
5. I would like to buy from you a pair of Russian 6H23-EB tubes.
6. Replace the phono sockets with a new Gold Quad Phono Socket.
7. Installation of the damping stuff you put on the caps.
If it is ok with you I will pack the board and ship it to you next week. Please send me a PM with the total so I can pay for the parts, labor, and shipping.
Thanks.
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One band I never really got into ....apart from being mesmerised by "albatross" when I was a kid.... I doubt his hearing will be "Fleetwood Bat" like these days? 
