Modding the X-Can V2's caps - what fits?

[jamesmarks]

Hi all!

I've had an XCan V2 for years, and I think modding it is a good idea!

I've searched everywhere for the pieces I need. I found www.partsconnexion.com. They stock the Black Gate caps. I'm thinking about Parts Connexion because they are in the States, and I think I could get the pieces faster than Mike's ones - plus I could get the Blue Velvet pot.

Anyway, my questions are....

1) Will Black Gates fit the X-Can V2?
2) Will a Blue Velvet fit the X-Can as is, or would I need to mod the PCB- chassis?
3) The 10uF coupling cap - non-polar electrolytic, or polypropylene? Has anyone been able to fit a poly inside their X-Can?
4) Do you recommend doing every mod at the same time, plus building a new power supply with a toroidal, or taking it in incremental steps? I have no problems with a soldering tool.

Anyway, that's it! Thanks for your help.

[mrarroyo]

Do a search, Mike fitted a blue pot to his V2 but it required drilling a new hole on the faceplate. Personally I would rather get an smaller volume pot and use the money saved for a better PSU.

[aurum]

The Black Gates are brilliant in my V3, Parts Connexion have the measurement of all their caps on their site. All you have to do is open your unit & have a measure up to see if they will fit.

My V3 has mostly Black Gates throughout. A couple were a squeeze but the results were worth it.

[PinkFloyd]

jamesmarks said:

Hi all!

Hi!

jamesmarks said:

I've had an XCan V2 for years, and I think modding it is a good idea!

Sure is

jamesmarks said:

1) Will Black Gates fit the X-Can V2?

No. They are too big to fit comfortably inside the enclosure, you may get away with a couple of the 35V / 1000uF inside but that will be your lot. Years ago I managed to squeeze a few ELNA cerafines in but it was a bit of a tight squeeze:



As the man above says... get your tape measure out, look at the black gate spec sheet and you'll see what will / will not fit where..... and remember the enclosure is "round" and thus the height varies

2) Will a Blue Velvet fit the X-Can as is, or would I need to mod the PCB- chassis?

Yeh.... it will "fit" but it ain't pretty and you gotta make it fit by drilling a hole in the front panel and then use hook up wire between pot and pads on board. To be 100% honest with you the RK27 (blue velvet) made no difference whatsoever to the performance.... sure, the tracking is better but can I hear it? Nope See here

See..... it fits mama



But it ain't pretty inside ;D

3) The 10uF coupling cap - non-polar electrolytic, or polypropylene? Has anyone been able to fit a poly inside their X-Can?

Even better...... remove them and jumper over the pads with a zero ohm link. They're not necessery unless your source has DC on it's output....... a bit more clarity with them removed from the board. No way in this world you will get 2 x 10uF polyprops anywhere near the V2! No way Jose!! 99% of the time you're perfectly ok to remove the non polars and jumper over the pads but, if in doubt, check for DC offset on your source output first www.rock-grotto.co.uk/dcoffset.htm

4) Do you recommend doing every mod at the same time, plus building a new power supply with a toroidal, or taking it in incremental steps? I have no problems with a soldering tool.

Take it one step at a time otherwise you won't know what has done what to what. To slam everything in at once will give you no idea of what each change is doing to the SQ.... do it in stages and start with the easiest to perform and work onward from there noting each improvement (or not as the case me be) along the way.

Anyway, that's it! Thanks for your help.

I wish I could be of more help (I usually am / was) but am pretty much out of the loop here at the moment..... please do report on your progress and if there's anything we can do to help you then just ask..... (I'll do my best to get my brain into gear )

Mike.

[jamesmarks]

Thanks a lot for your answer! I'll have to disassemble the X-Can very soon.

If PartsConnexion is too much $, though, I'll buy Mike's upgrade kit. It seems like a better bet!

[jamesmarks]

Know what... forget about it, I'm buying the kit from Mike! After all this helpful info, who wouldn't?

[PinkFloyd]

jamesmarks said:

Know what... forget about it, I'm buying the kit from Mike! After all this helpful info, who wouldn't?

Try it your way mate.... seriously, it's about time something different was injected into this forum.... come on, stick to your guns and go for it your own way I'll do my best to help you along the way.

Mike.