Sol
100+
loves motorcycles !
Chief Technical Numpty
Posts: 135
|
Post by Sol on Dec 13, 2006 10:11:31 GMT
Anyone any experience of the difference the mod makes in a non-Headfi application? i.e. through speakers. I definately prefer the sound my roksan amps make with my ProAC Response 2.5 speakers when the X10-V3 is in the equation. Would Mike's mods work well in the speaker situation; probably fretting over nothing! About to take the plunge and order a kit ... Mike do I just PM you to order a kit? What could possibly go wrong?  |
|
|
|
Post by PinkFloyd on Dec 13, 2006 13:21:42 GMT
Anyone any experience of the difference the mod makes in a non-Headfi application? i.e. through speakers. I definately prefer the sound my roksan amps make with my ProAC Response 2.5 speakers when the X10-V3 is in the equation. Would Mike's mods work well in the speaker situation; probably fretting over nothing! About to take the plunge and order a kit ... Mike do I just PM you to order a kit? What could possibly go wrong? I'll quote from recent correspondence with Tom Davies, he and a few of his audio friends have extensively listened to a modded V3 through a speaker based system and I quote: " Finally at last I've got the upgrade diodes capacitors
all done on Thursday time approx three hours but I was being super cautious checking all the new cap's in case of shorts and likewise the diodes numbered existing cap's in case of mishap and I had to refit them noting the orientation of the diodes on the board really just being a fuss pot.
However the soldering iron got hot and finally down to business it was so straight forward anyone who could plug in an iron could do it your cutting one leg of the capacitors short and your diagram made orientation very simple however there was a problem with the .47 ufd with the legs short there wasn't enough space to get them mounted possibly if the leads were left long it may be possible by having one lead straight into the mounting hole with the other bent under the cap in order to reach the hole although it would be hard up against the backplate but really such a type squeeze I doubt if you would manage it the size of the original cap is 17m/m wide.I overcome the problem by good old blue tack sticking the capacitor to the board and wiring from the cap onto the board using insulated wire.
All put back now for the fun plugged in blue led and cd inserted then completely jaw dropping you did say there would be instant improvement but the caps would require aprrox 100 hours burn in I can't wait for the 100 hours this was completely jaw dropping performance anyone with a buffer who doesn't do this mod is doing themselves a disservice this changes a good component into a really top notch above reproach performance component.Impression's were more attack,faster, better separation,huge big wide soundstage,sound completely out the speakers,low level detail much more easily detected,although playing very familiar cd's I heard sound's I hadn't hitherto heard and this was only after four hours running I think after the 100 burn in my brain will probably explode what a fantastic performance I couldn't praise it high enough and would most thoroughly endorse it to anyone.
I'm so impressed I'm thinking about buying another buffer to place between pre and power this is something I will most definitely try.
Many thanks Mike for a fantastic improvement something I will saver for many hours to come
Tom Davies" |
|
|
|
Post by PinkFloyd on Dec 13, 2006 13:28:27 GMT
Yes, you can either PM or e-mail me Sol. I have all the parts in stock so no problems there.
What could go wrong? hmmmm..... Assuming you can solder then not a lot to go wrong in all honesty. You simply remove (desolder) the existing caps and then solder in the new ones.
Assuming you can't solder then there are quite a few things that could go wrong.... you could burn yourself with the soldering iron, you could lift pads, you could....... well, you get the idea.... as long as you're confident with your soldering skills then not a lot to go wrong Sol.
|
|
Sol
100+
loves motorcycles !
Chief Technical Numpty
Posts: 135
|
Post by Sol on Dec 14, 2006 10:54:32 GMT
Wooo hoo .. money sent .. parts on the way ... I can feel a growing excitment. Christmas hols will hopefully be full of cheer and wider more expansive sounding cans, and speakers.
Must pop out at lunch time and buy some isopropyl alocohol and a plug in soldering iron and sponge thang.
Anything else i need as a complete beginner - I assume that something to remove the solder might be a good idea .. was it braid - some other tool?
|
|
Sol
100+
loves motorcycles !
Chief Technical Numpty
Posts: 135
|
Post by Sol on Dec 18, 2006 20:36:48 GMT
The package arrived this wekened .. and managed to knock off work early and dive right in there.
Well ... if anyone is having too thought about taking on the mod themsleves, don't. Take your time, read the excellent destructions, and jump right in.
The X-10 V3 and the X-CAN V3 took me about 3 hours to do in total.
Initial impression of a 20 min warm up and then a 15 min listen says that the X-CAN & X-10 (with Grado 325i) is an instant improvement - less etching, more fluidity, and a silkeness that wasn't there before. e.g Beth Nielsen Chapaman's superb "Beyond the Blue" always had a little grate in her voice - not anymore, softend and silken!
The X-10 V3 over the speakers seems to have had less of an impact .. though without burn in .. it's not fair to comment - it certainly no worse ... has a differenc ei can't quite put my hand on ... though I suspect it's increased dynamics.
More burn in and I'll deifnately repost.
Can I just thank Mike for his swift turnaround, excellent notes, and for making the kit available to serial tinkerers like myself.
|
|
|
|
Post by PinkFloyd on Dec 18, 2006 20:53:50 GMT
The package arrived this wekened .. and managed to knock off work early and dive right in there. Excellent! I was just about to e-mail you and see if you'd got it Sol considering I sent in next day special delivery ;D Did you find the instructions helpful too?  Blimey, that's good going Sol, that's everything?? the diodes, the caps... the works? Glad you like it but, really, allow a good 150 hours before it all starts kicking in bigtime (generally people report a marked improvement around this time) some reckon burn in doesn't exist..... oh, it does! Give her a few hours to heat up Look forward to your impressions  Cheers Sol, glad you like it. Mike. |
|
|
|
Post by colin1958 on Jul 18, 2007 19:44:23 GMT
HI
TRYING TO CONTACT MIKE FOR 2 OF THESE KITS FOR THE X-10V3 HE IS NOT ANSWERING EMAILS IS ANYBODY ELSE HAVING TROUBLE CONTACTING MIKE?!!!!!
CHEERS COLIN
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jul 18, 2007 22:18:02 GMT
Colin
See PM
SandyK
|
|
|
|
Post by goldnbuffalo on Jul 19, 2007 19:56:40 GMT
Hi ,I had problems trough the site for orders ,but when I went trough Gmail I received a response in a couple of hours and ordered a pair of tubes (6H23V-FB)for my X 10 D ,looking to order the mod kit. Have A good day ,Mark (goldnbuffalo)
|
|
|
|
Post by PinkFloyd on Jul 19, 2007 23:36:20 GMT
Hi Colin,
Parts are on their way.
Mike.
|
|
|
|
Post by colin1958 on Jul 24, 2007 17:35:53 GMT
Hi Mike Many thanks for the super fast shipment[arrived the very next day].WHAT A FANTASTIC KIT & CLEARLY PRINTED & EASY TO FOLLOW SPEC SHEET...SUPERB.both x10 v3 have been modded & even at this very early stage the sound is nothing short of BREATHTAKING.everything i throw at my system old or new recordings simply shine,vocals are clear & precise,soundstage has opened right up,bass is deep & tuneful.all in all the sound is amazing....fantastic.this has been the best money i have spent on my hifi for along time.anybody contemplating modding their x10v3 GET MIKES KIT & JUST DO IT!!!!! i have no idea how Mike put together this kit or indeed how long it took him but i sure am happy that he did.could 2 x10v3 in the same system improve things again or am i just being greedy!!!  ?? are there upgrades for the xpsu? WELL DONE MIKE KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK. CHEERS COLIN |
|
|
|
Post by PinkFloyd on Jul 24, 2007 22:18:01 GMT
Glad you like it Colin  This seems to go down very well with X10 v3 users who listen through loudspeakers they all claim amazing improvements..... enjoy the music mate |
|
|
|
Post by colin1958 on Jul 25, 2007 18:05:30 GMT
Hi Mike,do you have any x10v3 buffers for sale or similar that will fit my xpsu? obviously they must be modded & preferably with new tubes.if so at what cost?
cheers colin
|
|
|
|
Post by PinkFloyd on Jul 25, 2007 21:05:26 GMT
Hi Mike,do you have any x10v3 buffers for sale or similar that will fit my xpsu? obviously they must be modded & preferably with new tubes.if so at what cost? cheers colin Hi Colin, I don't have any v3's on my person, they're not a thing I have much cause to use as I go direct from CDP to headamp. One thing I do have is a heavily modded piglet (X-10D) which will make you think you've died and gone to heaven..... inputs are coupled through 0.22µF EVOX polyprops and the outputs through MASSIVE 10uF film caps (instead of the stock 2.2uF types) Panasonic FM / FA throughout, UF 4007 ultrafast diodes and 6H23NP valves..... IMO it performs better than the X-10v3.... let me know if you're interested and I'll upload more details here along with some photos. Can be powered by an XPSU but not by an XPSU v3. Mike. |
|
|
|
Post by colin1958 on Jul 26, 2007 16:50:49 GMT
Hi Mike
i am very interested except for the fact it cannot be powered by a xpsuv3,would that mean powering with a normal wallmart?what price have you in mind & yes some pics would be great.is the unit used or just been modded ready?
cheers colin
|
|
|
|
Post by colin1958 on Jul 26, 2007 17:11:06 GMT
hey sorry Mike i didn't use the correct proceedure for posting a reply did you get my message?
colin
|
|
|
|
Post by PinkFloyd on Jul 26, 2007 19:34:32 GMT
Hi Mike i am very interested except for the fact it cannot be powered by a xpsuv3,would that mean powering with a normal wallmart?what price have you in mind & yes some pics would be great.is the unit used or just been modded ready? cheers colin Hi Colin, It was modded a couple of months ago and has been sitting in the cupboard, all new caps / diodes etc...... It will come with a 1amp wall wart so no worries there. It also has "pinkie" embossed on the front panel, that may (or may not) put you off! I'll get some pics of her tomorrow in the light of day. Mike. EDIT: Price, to be decided. |
|
|
|
Post by PinkFloyd on Jul 27, 2007 15:49:07 GMT
|
|
|
|
Post by colin1958 on Jul 27, 2007 16:08:58 GMT
Hi Mike
looks the biz,can it be modded to fit the xpsu?what price are we talking for the unit as it is?
cheers colin
|
|
?? are there upgrades for the xpsu? WELL DONE MIKE KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK.
This seems to go down very well with X10 v3 users who listen through loudspeakers they all claim amazing improvements..... enjoy the music mate 
