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Post by kgulls on Aug 19, 2009 16:25:35 GMT
Just to say a big thanks to Mike as he has now "sorted"the problem Pinkie and I can return to the sublime sounds of heavy rock as it was meant to be heard.Detailed,raw and loud.
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Post by kgulls on Aug 20, 2009 13:28:26 GMT
The distortion was already in my head.
Just needed to add the music. ;D
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Post by PinkFloyd on Aug 22, 2009 15:23:57 GMT
Well this lates incarnation of the Little Pinkie has about 10 hours of use. To me the biggest differences that I hear are: 1. A bit more treble extension. 2. A bit more air between the notes. 3. Wider/deeper soundstage. Of course is a bit early in the process and I really need to do a side by side. More to come. Miguel, Are you comparing this one against one of your other Pinkies or the original MF wallwart? Mike. |
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Post by PinkFloyd on Aug 22, 2009 18:56:53 GMT
Good  I think I'm going to go with these new transformers, they may be heavier (more costly on postage) but offer slightly better regulation than the existing ones and have fully shrouded bobbin construction with impregnated varnish coating. |
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Post by ayla on Sept 17, 2009 16:51:16 GMT
I have a X-DAC V3 and I bought a Little Pinkie
I have only tested for a day
Good:
Sound more natural
Better stereo image
Better Bass
But I have lost some detail
I have changed the power connection to another position and sound more detail but still less than with walmart power supply
Probably Pinkie need some more working time....
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Post by Deleted on Sept 17, 2009 21:49:09 GMT
I have a X-DAC V3 and I bought a Little Pinkie I have only tested for a day Good: Sound more natural Better stereo image Better Bass But I have lost some detail I have changed the power connection to another position and sound more detail but still less than with walmart power supply Probably Pinkie need some more working time.... ayla Sounding more natural, and especially, better stereo image, are normally associated with more detail, not less detail. Perhaps what you attributed to more detail was due to a degree of added harshness, associated with a noisier supply ? The Little Pinkie has a couple of measures designed to reduce mains borne noise. Give it a few more days to settle in. SandyK |
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Post by ayla on Sept 18, 2009 6:09:34 GMT
^Well...the sound is less harshness...more "Full" and yeah, I can hear the "silence" but I can hear more "information" with walmart
I have to use more time....
In any case I like my Little Pinkie
Good job Mike!
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Sol
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loves motorcycles !
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Post by Sol on Sept 18, 2009 8:54:12 GMT
Take a really good listen ... I'm with SandyK - be sure what you think is more detail is not a edge to notes which is actually a "harshness" associated with noise. As things mellow with better power treatment this can often be confused as losing some impact or detail. Try something on CD that has some background noises or voices in the mix that you normally can't quite determine what is said or what the sound is .. that normally a good way to see if the new PSU is helping improve detail.
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Post by ayla on Sept 18, 2009 14:44:43 GMT
Good advice...I'm "using" my brother to make more tests....
A question: Is essential to grounding the Little Pinkie?
My electric installation only have two wires...no ground wire
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Post by PinkFloyd on Sept 18, 2009 18:06:49 GMT
Good advice...I'm "using" my brother to make more tests.... A question: Is essential to grounding the Little Pinkie? My electric installation only have two wires...no ground wire No grounding required Ayla Glad you are enjoying the sound, there's no "burn in" required but others have reported the sonics improve after a few days.... as others have suggested the Pinkie will have removed a lot of noise from the sound so it will sound different to the wallwart and, hopefully, in a good way! |
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Post by ayla on Sept 18, 2009 18:12:08 GMT
Ok, many thanks....Now I'm testing with movies....(Yep...I listen movies in stereo)
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Post by inspired on Sept 21, 2009 21:36:44 GMT
Hi Mike, My Little Pinkie arrived today in perfect form! I've been conducting a shootout between a new Yaqin CD-1 Tuber Buffer and my Musical Fidelity X-10v3 (that will from now on be powered by the Little Pinkie). I listen to music in my home office for approximately 8 hours each day have been doing multi-source critical listening for about 3 weeks comparing the two tube buffers. I had been listen to CD's using an NAD 5425 CD Player for about 5 hours before the Little Pinkie arrived so my ears were very much in tune to the sound produced with the Musical Fidelity "wall wort" power source in use. I've been using the Little Pinkie for about 2 hours now. I'm generally reluctant to comment so soon after introducing a new component into my system, but as this is a "first impressions" thread, I must say that . . . . . . CATEGORICALLY, the overall sound quality is already vastly improved. The soundstage is a bit wider and the focal point of each voice/instrument is more tightly defined. The most noticeable improvement came in the bass reproduction which seems "more balanced", clearly not overpowering, but presented with more authority. I specifically had you produce my Little Pinkie with a female DIN connection on the unit to allow me to experiment with DIN cords down the road, but that may have created one unintended drawback. Some high-line 110V reference power cords have a very large IEC connector on the end that plugs into the Little Pinkie, and they are so large that they will interfere the ability to plug in the DIN cable. Right now I can't use my favorite Shunyata Copperhead cable that I suspect will yield even more magic! Thanks Again! Greg P.S.: My first listen, Pink Floyd; The Dark Side of The Moon SACD  |
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Post by bryan on Sept 22, 2009 1:48:35 GMT
Hi everyone. First post...
Due to the nature of the forum, obviously much of the listening is headphone based. I use a pair of sennheiser HD595s with a project Headbox mk2, but i spend just as much time with my MF 3.5 amp and X-DAC v3 with Meridian 506 as a transport powering Spendor S5e speakers. Many of you are commenting on the improvements via your x- cans, which i am sadly lacking. Are these huge improvements wrought by the LP v3i likely to be as noticeable in my stereo as well as headphone set up?
I've never bought blind but i have the bug and wish to blow what little student money i have. Ebay is getting too tempting...
Its been very interesting reading. Ive got that bug again and i just need a little push to commit
Thanks in advance
Bryan
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Post by inspired on Sept 22, 2009 20:56:22 GMT
It's now been about 26 hours, and I've managed to get about 16 hours of listening in.
First, I've A/B tested between the Little Pinkie and the original 24VAC 500mA Musical Fidelity wall wart power supply. This is one of the clearest comparisons I've ever been able to make. Generally, changes in audiophile components make subtle changes that are not immediately apparent.
The positive impact made when using the Little Pinkie versus stock power brick is immediately and most readily apparent!
Besides that, the Little Pinkie has settled in and become even more effective in quieting the previously audible noise floor, further enhancing soundstate width and depth and improving imaging.
Mike, you've got a good thing going. I sure wish there was a way to power some of my other power brick powered components with a Little Pinkie!
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Post by Deleted on Sept 22, 2009 21:25:42 GMT
Bryan
The X-DAC V3 in your main system benefits even more from an outboard dual regulated PSU. Adding a JLH ro the outboard supply as described elsewhere, further improves it. And that is even before opening up the X-DAC V3 ! The combination of a modified X-DAC V3 and and a reasonable soundcard with SPDIF OUT from a sound deadened PC can even leave the best CD player and DAC combination sounding rather 2nd rate.
Unfortunately, you need to be into DIY.
The next best thing is a LP from Mike.
SandyK
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Post by PinkFloyd on Sept 22, 2009 21:52:45 GMT
It's now been about 26 hours, and I've managed to get about 16 hours of listening in. First, I've A/B tested between the Little Pinkie and the original 24VAC 500mA Musical Fidelity wall wart power supply. This is one of the clearest comparisons I've ever been able to make. Generally, changes in audiophile components make subtle changes that are not immediately apparent. The positive impact made when using the Little Pinkie versus stock power brick is immediately and most readily apparent!
Besides that, the Little Pinkie has settled in and become even more effective in quieting the previously audible noise floor, further enhancing soundstate width and depth and improving imaging. Mike, you've got a good thing going. I sure wish there was a way to power some of my other power brick powered components with a Little Pinkie! Hi Greg, I'm so happy you're enjoying the Pinkie and it's great to receive such glowing feedback.... it makes all this so much more worthwhile I'm sorry you can't fit one of your monster sized power leads (maybe it would have fitted if you'd gone with a fixed output lead?)...... are you still going to try the cryogenic pinkie to X-ponent cord? I'd be interested to hear your opinion on this. Don't go wasting money though.... if the Pinkie is floating your boat "as is" then maybe best not to over egg the pudding.... I have done my best to ensure the power that leaves the Pinkie is as clean as possible and doubt any $$$ cable will improve on that.... I may be wrong though!  Enjoy the music  All the best, Mike. |
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Post by bryan on Sept 22, 2009 23:48:27 GMT
Thanks SandyK
Looks like I'm about to do that next best thing...
Bryan
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Post by inspired on Sept 24, 2009 19:48:16 GMT
It's now been about 26 hours, and I've managed to get about 16 hours of listening in. First, I've A/B tested between the Little Pinkie and the original 24VAC 500mA Musical Fidelity wall wart power supply. This is one of the clearest comparisons I've ever been able to make. Generally, changes in audiophile components make subtle changes that are not immediately apparent. The positive impact made when using the Little Pinkie versus stock power brick is immediately and most readily apparent!
Besides that, the Little Pinkie has settled in and become even more effective in quieting the previously audible noise floor, further enhancing soundstate width and depth and improving imaging. Mike, you've got a good thing going. I sure wish there was a way to power some of my other power brick powered components with a Little Pinkie! Hi Greg, I'm so happy you're enjoying the Pinkie and it's great to receive such glowing feedback.... it makes all this so much more worthwhile I'm sorry you can't fit one of your monster sized power leads (maybe it would have fitted if you'd gone with a fixed output lead?)...... are you still going to try the cryogenic pinkie to X-ponent cord? I'd be interested to hear your opinion on this. Don't go wasting money though.... if the Pinkie is floating your boat "as is" then maybe best not to over egg the pudding.... I have done my best to ensure the power that leaves the Pinkie is as clean as possible and doubt any $$$ cable will improve on that.... I may be wrong though! Enjoy the music All the best, Mike. It's now been about 26 hours, and I've managed to get about 16 hours of listening in. First, I've A/B tested between the Little Pinkie and the original 24VAC 500mA Musical Fidelity wall wart power supply. This is one of the clearest comparisons I've ever been able to make. Generally, changes in audiophile components make subtle changes that are not immediately apparent. The positive impact made when using the Little Pinkie versus stock power brick is immediately and most readily apparent!
Besides that, the Little Pinkie has settled in and become even more effective in quieting the previously audible noise floor, further enhancing soundstate width and depth and improving imaging. Mike, you've got a good thing going. I sure wish there was a way to power some of my other power brick powered components with a Little Pinkie! Hi Greg, I'm so happy you're enjoying the Pinkie and it's great to receive such glowing feedback.... it makes all this so much more worthwhile I'm sorry you can't fit one of your monster sized power leads (maybe it would have fitted if you'd gone with a fixed output lead?)...... are you still going to try the cryogenic pinkie to X-ponent cord? I'd be interested to hear your opinion on this. Don't go wasting money though.... if the Pinkie is floating your boat "as is" then maybe best not to over egg the pudding.... I have done my best to ensure the power that leaves the Pinkie is as clean as possible and doubt any $$$ cable will improve on that.... I may be wrong though! Enjoy the music All the best, Mike. Hi Mike, I have a Shunyata Power Cord on order that will fit and it will be here tomorrow. It is an even better grade power cable than the PS Audio, Groneberg and Signal Magic brand cables that I currently own. And yes, I believe if I had not insisted on the custom female DIN receptacle, that power cords with the larger configuration IEC end would easily fit. But remember, the future ability to swap DIN cords was very important to me. I tend to over experiment, but I am always willing go back if a previous component had better synergy within my system. I am etremely impressed right now and I have not actually purchased that cryo cable yet that I have a line on. Knowing my addiction, I'm fairly certain I will pull the trigger and experiment. If the cryo doesn't make a noticeable improvement I will sell it. Either way I will let you know. Summing it up, the Little Pinkie markedly improved the sound quality of my Musical Fidelity X-10v3 Tube Buffer and I wouldn't return it if you offered me more than what I paid back! Greg |
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Post by ralphies on Oct 12, 2009 18:17:27 GMT
 Mine has also arrived first impressions I can give right now because I got a bad cold so my hearing is a lil in trouble. If I must give a quick not solid impression is that the v3i adds heavier bass and that the heights seems to roll off earlier then the wall mart adaptor (but that is maybe because when the bass sounds more solid, the spatial sound with the highest heights seems to leave because the bass souns a lil louder (not too loud). It all is a balance with bass/midd and heights which gives a result of warm or spatial analytcal sound). But when my cold is over and I let the v3i burn in for a while, I will try to check the difference again. And for the meantime, thanks Mike for making a solid and carefull built product! I like the rocketswitch with the red marking so it is easy to see if it is on or off. It gets only a lil warm at the bottom of the V3i after a few houres of listening. |
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Post by Deleted on Oct 26, 2009 19:34:07 GMT
My new Pinkie has arrived. Many thanks to Mike for a very generous exchange of goods. (only a 'phone cam shot I'm afraid)  Running in at the mo. I will be comparing it against a 1-2 year vintage I have already in the fullness of time.... Chris |
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Post by PinkFloyd on Oct 26, 2009 20:44:38 GMT
My new Pinkie has arrived. Many thanks to Mike for a very generous exchange of goods. (only a 'phone cam shot I'm afraid) Running in at the mo. I will be comparing it against a 1-2 year vintage I have already in the fullness of time.... Chris Glad it arrived safely Chris Sorry about the white switch, I couldn't resist it.... you sent me some fine salami so I thought I'd send you a licorice allsort in return  You'll have to get an X-10D now.... the combo of V2 and X-10D is truly magical. Mike. |
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Post by Deleted on Oct 28, 2009 1:08:26 GMT
I would have to borrow a X10D to re-try. I was in the the trade when they were launched, sold loads of them but I was never convinced they they actually improved the whole picture.
Changed the sonic balance, yes, but I was left feeling it was like a single setting graphic equaliser.
Anyhow the new Pinkie. Initial thoughts...
Came home tonight for a proper listen after pinkie running for over 24hrs.
With K701.
I played a few very familiar tracks, I was instantly struck by hearing more detail and inflection in the mid range, a pacier and more authoratative bass, the treble was more pronounced yet smooth at the same time.
I reverted to my earlier Pinkie, yep for sure, there is some pixie dust used on the new one. Mikes improvements are definitely worthwhile.
On trawling through some more faves, complex passages that before were slighly dark were drawn out towards the light.
Two tracks that displayed standout improvements were;
Michael Hedges "Aerial Bounderies", the extra sense of power behind his playing style was far more evident.
Nelly Furtado "Maneater", there is a very deep bass line that underpins the chorus that is very evident on loudspeakers but I have never heard through the V2 before, I can now.
With HD600.
Tidied up the lazy, fat bass a little, plus a tad more clarity working up the frequency range, voices in particular are a little more 'real' sounding.
I was expecting very subtle changes but was greeted with much more noticable, genuine improvements.
Pretty impressed Mike.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 28, 2009 1:34:06 GMT
I love the video of that one. After getting rid of some of the compression using SeeDeClip it sounds fabulous .
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Post by PinkFloyd on Oct 28, 2009 21:15:11 GMT
Thanks Chris Funnily enough the Pinkies "do" take a good few hours to fully burn in.... at first I was a bit sceptical about this but, after listening with my own ears, and numerous reports from customers saying it improved over the first few hundred hours I am a firm believer that it requires a good "cooking" before fully coming onto song. I'm glad you noticed the bass.... the new transformers definitely do a better job in that dept. (to my ears) I have worked closely with the transformer manufacturer and have kept repeating "for audio use" "for audio use"... they have listened and used the best materials.... it all helps The latest batch of transformers (and all batches from here on in) will be copiously treated with varnish (which stop the laminations from vibrating)..... if you're good with a soldering iron I'll send you one of these transformers over.... Mechanical noise (slight "buzz") will be all but eliminated but it'll be interesting to see if the varnish treatment also plays a part in the SQ. Mike. |
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Post by inspired on Dec 4, 2009 22:28:06 GMT
Hi Mike,
I've been in pure audio heaven since first reporting the arrival of my Little Pinkie back on Sept 21, 2009. You might recall I'm using it to power a Musical Fidelity X10v3 Tube Buffer.
First, having auditioned both the older and newer transformer versions (with a 3 week gap in between), I must say that I can distinguish very little difference, with perhaps a minuscule reduction in the noise floor. However, the non-audio mechanical noise generated by the new transformer is clearly better. I am very, very happy with my decision to purchase from you.
The other open item was that I was in the process of acquiring a Revelation Audio Products Passage Cryo-Silver Reference Power Cable (3-Pin Din cable running between my Little Pinkie and tube buffer). I have had it in place for more than 100 hours of use and have carefully listened to my system (speakers and headphones) with the cryoed cable both in and out of the circuit. Hands down, the Revelation Audio cable improves soundstage and cuts noise to the point of almost making as much of an improvement as did the upgrade to the Little Pinkie from stock walwart power supply!
Last, you might also recall I purchased new JAN 6112 valves for my X10v3 and want to send those tubes to you with the buffer circuit board for you to perform the tube replacement/capacitor/etc upgrade. I will be emailing you for final details, and mailing the parts out to you within the next 3 days.
Thanks!
Greg
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I think I'm going to go with these new transformers, they may be heavier (more costly on postage) but offer slightly better regulation than the existing ones and have fully shrouded bobbin construction with impregnated varnish coating.
You'll have to get an X-10D now.... the combo of V2 and X-10D is truly magical.