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Post by senj on Apr 4, 2008 0:04:41 GMT
It there a waiting list for a X-can v2 version of these?
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Post by PinkFloyd on Apr 4, 2008 0:45:24 GMT
It there a waiting list for a X-can v2 version of these? No. Just a long queue of astronauts....... lead time is about 2 weeks at the moment. Mike. |
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XTRProf
Fully Modded
Pssst ! Got any spare capacitors ?
Posts: 5,689
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Post by XTRProf on Apr 4, 2008 6:36:02 GMT
It there a waiting list for a X-can v2 version of these? No. Just a long queue of astronauts....... lead time is about 2 weeks at the moment. Mike. Sorry, Senj. This means you have to be in the Nasa or the Russian Space program to qualify for one.  |
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Post by senj on Apr 4, 2008 10:22:54 GMT
Damn! I'll have to find a spaceman, thats gonna take months!
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 4, 2008 10:38:17 GMT
XTRProf You'll be jake, mate. You're a Space Cadet ! SandyK |
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Post by oliverhyams on Apr 6, 2008 16:20:37 GMT
I have had an X-PSU for a long time, and thought that it made a big difference to my X-Cans and X-LP. I then got some X-Cans v2, and the X-PSU was still a big factor in the very good sound quality - judged irrespective of cost. Then I had my X-Cans v2 modded by Mike, and they were rather better then previously. I then got a Little Pinkie V3i from him (partly because it was convenient to power my X-Cans separately from the X-LP and X-Cans v2), and I was able to compare the X-PSU with it. The Little Pinkie is both sweeter and clearer than the X-PSU. Some achievement.  |
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Post by derekrumble on May 10, 2008 12:01:48 GMT
Called into the repair shop yesterday - the guy tells me that a few transistors had failed - he has now replaced all but one of the failed devices. Unfortuanately MF no longer have replacements for the particular Darlington transistor needed and it took the engineer a while to identify and track down a suitable similarly spec'd replacement. It has just been delievered and he hopes to finish the job, test it for a few dyas, and get it back to me sometime next week. When I collect I'll ask for a better explanation of the fault. - but basically one half of the circuit had failed. TIP115 / TIP110 readily available from anywhere mate.... question is..... what caused the transistors to fry?  Have had my X-CANv3 back now for some time but hadn't got around to trying it with the Pinkie. Have put that right and have been listening to the X-CAN / Pinkie, nightly, for some days (or is that 'nights?). All my previous comments in the X-DAC context apply - imaging tighter, extended bass etc etc etc. I listen mostly with Grado SR60s - great 'phones but the top end can sound a tad detached. Not with the new Pinkie they don't. In bed I use just a 10 quid pair of in-the-ear Senny's - their compromises in limited top and bottom ends is far less noticeable. Bass is more musical, soundstage wider. My night-time anti-insomnia entertainment is courtesy of a Pure Evoke DAB radio. Have been running this 'line out' into the X-CANv3/Pinkie and inot the ear-bud Senny's. Not bad. Not bad at all. Regards from sunny Shropshire, Derek. |
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Post by jonp on Jun 20, 2008 8:30:25 GMT
Hi,
I just received my V3i early this week and it has now burned in for around 48 hours. The sound has definitely improved since it was new, as a quick check back with the original wall wart confirms.
Unfortunately though, early tonight one of the 6922 valves in my XCan V3 has begun playing up. It hasn't actually blown but I am was getting a whistlig / whooshing sort of sound in the left channel. When I swapped the valves around the sound went to the right channel.
I was just hoping this valve problem was purely coincidental and not on account of the more powerful V3i power supply? The amplifier has worked fine for 3 months and it is rather strange that I lose a tube only a few days after plugging in the new power supply.
Does this V3i power supply "stress" the amplifier or stress / bias valves more than the wall wart? I notice the V3i is unregulated and has far higher current output than the wall wart, but then again I have heard the voltage tolerances in the V3i are pretty tight too.
Anyway, perhaps I am worrying needlessly and this was an unusual and unfortunate coincidence, but any comments from people in the know would be appreciated (the valves were the original stock 6922 JAN Philips - I would have thought they should last much longer than 3 months).
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 20, 2008 8:56:09 GMT
jonp
My understanding is that the regulation of the Little Pinkie supply is far better than average due to Mike's custom requirements. If you have a digital meter , perhaps you could check it's voltage output with it's normal working load. It is also possible that the wallwart ,under load, was delivering a lower voltage than normal requirements.
SandyK
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Post by PinkFloyd on Jun 21, 2008 2:16:06 GMT
No Problems, the V3i outputs about 25VCT and drops to to 24VCT under load. It's possible for a valve to start going south at any time whether that be 3 hours, three months or three years.... you get the occasional "swooshy / swirling" valve now and again and if the amp is only 3 months old then get those valves replaced under warranty for sure... the PSU is most definitely not damaging them, this is clearly a faulty valve.
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Post by jonp on Jun 21, 2008 2:59:19 GMT
Hi Mike,
Great, thanks a lot for info. I am not sure whether my email to you earlier in the week got lost in the works, but the sound has actually improved quite a lot during the 4-day burn-in. The "sour" violins have gone and when I tried the original wall wart for comparison I could not wait to plug the V3i back in! It has been the equivalent of going from a disgustingly mid-fi $40 Ipod Shuffle as the input source to a $2000 Sony DAT machine - the improvement has been that big.
And I am sorry to disappoint you, but I love the switch. I was having to lean right over and around to turn the wall wart off and it did my frail middle-aged neck no favours at all. The V3i now sits in a cavity about size of an old VCR machine and I can easily flick the switch without having to contort myself.
I think I will elect to change the valves myself. I know this technically breaches warranty, but it's a 5 hour round trip to take it for any servicing and I would worry about consigning it to the intense vagaries of the ACUTMDS (Australian Completely Unreliable Tiger Moth Delivery Service, aka Australia Post).
I've just bought 3 matched pairs of exactly what it came with (JAN Philips 6922 of course), since I don't want to fiddle with the sound it has. It would actually cost me more to replace the valves under warranty in terms of my incidental costs than it would to just buy a pair from overseas and replace them myself. But since I have bought three pairs, I should be good for a while.
So much for "military" valves though. I can see some bad taste jokes coming as to why some wars were lost (or not won).....
Anyway, I look forward to buying a second Little Pinkie from you at the end of the year, as my second Xcan V3 stuck here on my PC is still using a humble wall wart.
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Post by PinkFloyd on Jun 21, 2008 22:02:45 GMT
Hi Jon Great, thanks a lot for info. I am not sure whether my email to you earlier in the week got lost in the works, but the sound has actually improved quite a lot during the 4-day burn-in. Probably did get lost in the works, I'll have a hunt about for it. The "sour" violins have gone and when I tried the original wall wart for comparison I could not wait to plug the V3i back in! It has been the equivalent of going from a disgustingly mid-fi $40 Ipod Shuffle as the input source to a $2000 Sony DAT machine - the improvement has been that big. There's no "burn in" as such but quite a few people have reported the pinkie improves with age so it must be happening .... maybe you've just left the amp on for a good while and it's finding it's sweetspot... whatever it is, things always change after time... some things for the better others for the worst... fortunately, in this instance, for the better! And I am sorry to disappoint you, but I love the switch. Me too! Nothing worse than a little plastic box sitting there... fit a switch and you've got something to play with / prod! also convenient when you want to turn the bugger off without having to clamber half way down a wall getting strangled by mains cable as you go.... I was having to lean right over and around to turn the wall wart off and it did my frail middle-aged neck no favours at all. Tell me about it Jon ;D The main reason I fitted a switch? OK, I'll tell you............. I went to switch my v3 off one night and, like you, found it a bit hard with the old bones creaking away...... bad enough at that but an opportunist decided to breach me from the rear when my defences were down and there was nothing I could do about it.... my head was trapped in mains cables, my back had slipped a disc and my arse was pointing skyward.... it was awful, AWFUL I tell you! The reason I incorporated a switch ;D The V3i now sits in a cavity about size of an old VCR machine and I can easily flick the switch without having to contort myself. My cavity is the size of a VCR machine..... the reason I incorporated a switch ;D I think I will elect to change the valves myself. I know this technically breaches warranty, but it's a 5 hour round trip to take it for any servicing and I would worry about consigning it to the intense vagaries of the ACUTMDS (Australian Completely Unreliable Tiger Moth Delivery Service, aka Australia Post). Just unscrew the screws... slip those puppies into position and NOBODY will be any the wiser.... these guys are put together on production lines and will never be RETURNED to the production line and if they were the guy / girl who spends 12 hours a day slotting parts onto a PCB won't know it from Adam.... the days when the people who made the amp actually remembered each one individually are long gone.......... I've just bought 3 matched pairs of exactly what it came with (JAN Philips 6922 of course), since I don't want to fiddle with the sound it has. It would actually cost me more to replace the valves under warranty in terms of my incidental costs than it would to just buy a pair from overseas and replace them myself. But since I have bought three pairs, I should be good for a while. The 6922 in the v3 are excellent, 3 pairs should last you a very long time Jon.... I'll send you a pair of 6N23P, see what you think of them Enjoy the amp and enjoy rolling in valves that's what it's all about. So much for "military" valves though. I can see some bad taste jokes coming as to why some wars were lost (or not won)..... Philips 6922 are usually pretty much bullet proof, it's only when they're almost knackered they start becomming audibly annoying.... Have you had the amp from new? |
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Post by jonp on Jun 22, 2008 0:06:22 GMT
Hi Mike,
I got both amps absolutely brand spanking new within a week of each other. I can't help wondering though if I hastened the decline of the original valves on the one in my bedroom (that uses the V3i). I've probably turned that amp on and off more frequently than I ought to have and in the last week I was swapping the Pinkie and the Wall wart in and out too - marvelling at the monumental change it brought about before consigning the wall wart back in the original shipping box. So I don't think that helped - nor perhaps all the swapping of headphones and sources when the amp was new as I was working out what combinations worked the best.
I've already removed the old valves and the amp is just sitting there waiting for the replacements. Yes it was easy to get at them - I'm not sure the same thing applies with the DAC - aren't the tubes soldered into that or something?
Just on knackered valves, the Xcan at the dealers had apparently never had it's valves changed. Since that and mine all came from the same place, I guess I was just unlucky. It will certainly be interesting to see how long the next set goes for.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 22, 2008 1:10:49 GMT
jonp
People must remember that the major valve manufactures such as Philips had ceased valve production by the early 70s. Is it any wonder that some of these valves, even if never used , have a relatively short service life ? Don't forget that there will be a degree of deterioration due to non perfect manufacturing processes. It never ceases to amaze me that so many of these valves still work reliably.
SandyK
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Post by jonp on Jun 22, 2008 6:37:20 GMT
Certainly, but of course there are valves around from the 50s and 60s that as NOS today have extremely long service lives. Apparently the Amperex 12AX7 valves (built in 1959) I just put into my phono stage are known to be very reliable even today.
The valves that came out of my XCan V3 look like they were manufactured in 1984, so I guess in valve terms this is actually quite recent in the scheme of things.
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Post by ashcombe on Jul 17, 2008 18:04:29 GMT
Hi Mike, I've had a Little Pinkie V3i for several months now and am very impressed. Makes a huge difference to the performance of an X DAC V3 and runs cool!
Thanks a lot
Mick
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Post by quinto on Sept 30, 2008 20:19:33 GMT
Ordered myself a 230V Little Pinkie V3i for my X-Can-V8 and my Grado GS1000.
I was considering a PSU upgrade for a few month but wasn't to keen on ordering a X-PSU-V8. 450 euro (here in the Netherlands) seemed a little exessive to me somehow..
Was I glad to stumble into this website and read about your experiences with the Little Pinkie V3i... EXACTLY what I was looking for and at a reasonable price..
Hope my little Pinkie will arrive soon, I'll leave my impressions here!!
Robbert.
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Post by ALVIN on Nov 2, 2008 19:32:17 GMT
THE OVERALL VERDICT ----------A BRILLIANT PERFORMER, BUT AS UGLY AS SIN.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 2, 2008 20:32:02 GMT
alvin You prefer the look of a boring old inefficient wallwart ? SandyK  P.S. I wonder just how many there are of these little buggers out there in the wild ? |
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Post by PinkFloyd on Nov 2, 2008 20:52:45 GMT
THE OVERALL VERDICT ----------A BRILLIANT PERFORMER, BUT AS UGLY AS SIN. Thank you very much Alvin I am currently working on the cosmetics but more along the lines of "metal enclosure" than "pretty".... not sure yet if I'll go with it but something is on the back burner smoldering away. P.S. I wonder just how many there are of these little buggers out there in the wild ? Quite a few Alex...... I would guesstimate (in one form or another) definitely more than a hundred and possibly less than a thousand. |
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Post by ALVIN on Nov 4, 2008 0:55:31 GMT
YES, IF MIKE MAKES\ RE-DESIGNS A CASE FOR THE PINKIE, UP TO MILITARY SPEC SAY, THEN WOW, WHAT A UNIT THAT WOULD BE ------------SEXY OR WHAT ? MIND YOU, HE MIGHT THEN FEEL COMPELLED TO RENAME IT "LITTLE RHINO"
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Spirit
Been here a while! 
That's where I'm gonna go when I die
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Post by Spirit on Nov 4, 2008 1:02:06 GMT
LOUDER IS BETTER  |
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Post by ALVIN on Nov 4, 2008 1:09:55 GMT
SENSATIONAL WIT 10\10 FOR THAT ONE !
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Spirit
Been here a while!
That's where I'm gonna go when I die
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Post by Spirit on Nov 4, 2008 6:24:16 GMT
SENSATIONAL WIT 10\10 FOR THAT ONE ! Sorry, couldn't resist... thought it was too good to pass up. Having said that, all capitals makes things harder to read. You could try some bold instead? |
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Post by PinkFloyd on Nov 4, 2008 20:51:49 GMT
If I am going to change enclosures I'd like to get the size down even further to around 90mm x 85mm x 55mm so the Little Pinkie truly will be "little".... something along the lines of a little solid square (probably weigh around 1KG) with a blue LED, on / off rocker switch, IEC inlet socket and a fixed output lead terminated with a high quality DIN plug.
The flying output lead on the present Pinkie isn't really necessary as a fixed output lead would do exactly the same job and save on a chassis mounted DIN socket and DIN plug. I like the idea of a blue "on" LED and a rocker switch but it's yet to be seen if everything can be shoehorned into such a small metal enclosure, it may be necessary to go a bit larger to get everything in.... all will become clear if and when I start looking at changing the cosmetics.
The enclosures would be custom made by a third party (cheaper and less time consuming than doing it myself) and the transformers would be the same custom made types I currently employ.... there is a Norwegian company sending me a few samples of an alternative transformer (made in Norway) so I'll see how they sound compared to the hand made British ones.
There's no point in just changing the Pinkie for the sake of it..... it would have to be a change for the better otherwise there's no point. Each one is individually hand made by me at present and I am finding it quite time consuming..... the parts cost has also escalated over the past year and it is actually "cheaper" to buy in a large quantity of pre punched / drilled / screenprinted enclosures than it is to do them yourself.
One thing's for sure, a lot of thought will go into the next version (if, indeed, there will be another version) and a lot of money will be invested bulk buying the best possible parts to achieve maximum SQ.... I'm not too concerned with fancy enclosures or bells and whistles but would certainly like the enclosure to be metal.... understated yet purposeful.
The Pinkie does the job beautifully so it will be a case of evolotion rather than revolution with more of the same in a slightly different wrapper.... if you like, more of a "uniform", unvarying finish...... Each Little Pinkie, at the moment, is unique in the respect they are all hand made, no two will be the same whether it be the colour of wiring, the positioning of the feet, the type of drill bit used, the hole cutter yada yada yada..... all of them are individuals as far as I'm concerned.
Some people like the idea of hand built but theres a lot to be said for bulk buying / precision engineering using state of the art equipment..... it saves on time and gives a more uniform finish.... It also allows you to incorporate things you always wanted to incorporate but were afraid to because of the price.
One thing's for sure, whatever I decide to do, the SQ will remain top priority as will the low asking price.
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