X-Can V3 afterthought!

[krisno]

X-Can v3 with littlie pinkie v3i on the AKG K701, using X-DAC v3 and silver interconnects as source.

X-Can v3 has lack of details
X-Can v3 'soundstage' is all lost at lower volumes
X-Can v3 has very bad separation. Everything other than vocal just suck.

I remember I said earlier that I like Krell, maybe that is why... ANYWAYS:

A $50 solid state headphone out amp fixes all my problems
1: It gives alot of details
2: It has a nice soundstage even at low volumes, you hear everything
3: Separation is excellent, you can place every object in the '3d scene'.

Now I thought this was a tube problem, and that tubes in general is not for me whatsoever. But then I read a Earmax pro review vs Lehmann vs X-Can v3. And the review'er say exactly the same about the x-can v3. It is crap. But what he says also that the Earmax Pro has jus tas good separation as the Lehmann!!

So this is not a tube problem then?

I am sure that the X-can v3 has better transistors than my $30 headphone out thing. Does this mean that if I get some of the BEST VALVES money can buy and put into the new X-Can V8(or V3), WILL IT FIX MY problems above with the x-can? Is it just the specific tube BRAND which smudges everything and kills the separation??

I am going to use this for music, and stay happy with it, but I need this problem fixed.

Any comments? This problem I am sure persists on the HD650 also.

Kris

P.S. I will try the X-can v8, to see if it feels nice to have everything 'integrated' and SQ is good. Probably I will end up with the Lehmann in the end.

(P.S.2 What makes many people complain about USB quality is because it depens so much on the audio stack in the OS. The audio stack in XP is the worst ever, almost as bad on Mac os X, but in Vista, the audio stack is 10 x better, so USB dacs will sound much better on vista...)

[krisno]

I agree on what you are saying. I was just amazed on how much more definition a SS makes.

I was just as amazed noticing that on the X-can v3 I am not able to hear difference on mp3 vs flac vs cd !!! Think about that, even when using a $1000 DAC and silver interconnects. So alot of audio information must be dissapearing in the V3. BUT YES, IT WAS VERY SWEET SOUNDING. Diana Krall has never sounded better, but well, that was about it.

Apocalyptica, heavy metal, classic, all went down the drain. Movies is just not working at all. Where is the details and spatial positioning?? Probably I must stay with Krell But I will give X-can v8 another try, though using the cheap DAC in it, and get some extremly expensive tubes.

Kris

[aurum]

I think you may end up wasting lots of money with the approach you are taking. I get a feeling that you are likely to be generation Y, you know the one that needs instant gratification?

Spend the time modding the V3 you have. My approach to modding has cost me more than the amp in the first place, but there is no way I'd part with it in a hurry now.

The absolute best tubes for fine detail, clarity & sound stage in the V3 is the Siemens 6922 (1970's). This valve will lift this amp to a whole new level. You can go for the CCa's but they cost a lot more & the % of improvement is minor.

In the near future I'll post some pictures of the guts of my amp for all to see.

[krisno]

Just read your comment. I don't think you understood my point. The x-Can V8 is just one box. Instead of X-DAC V3 + X-Can v3 + 2 wall-warts/littlie pinkie + PCMCIA card to get spdif.

X-Can V8 on other hand has integrated USB soundcard.

But great, I also seen the Siemens 6922 tubes, they are suppsed to be the best.

Do they REALLY increase the quality of details, soundstage, transparncy on the X-Can v3 / V8? Is change of tubes the best upgrade you can do?

The X-can v3 really was muffled and had very bad spatial presentation. How much does the Siemens cost, I presume they will fix in the X-Can V8 also... where can I get some 'new' once?

[aurum]

I take it that you are indeed Gen Y.
Changing the tubes is the best upgrade that you can do if your skills only extend to light bulb changing ability. The tube I suggested is the best I have found for the V3. Some others may disagree.

Additional sound benefits of the amp are found in such things as cap & diode replacement. Cap replacement I would put on a similar par as changing the valves, An increase in the bass & sound stage is a noticeable improvement. Diode replacement will increase clarity & tighten the sound signature.

The refinement of the amp comes from resistor replacement, & will add air, detail & will lean the amp to a more natural tube like sound, but retain the bass & speed of solid state.

My personal taste is that I like my components separate, for the reason that I can change components & tweak more easily. The Siemens tubes new should cost no more than about $US100 per tube. If you are unfamiliar with buying tubes then go to a dealer.

Here is a suggestion:
shop.vacuumtube.com/Siemens-NOS-6922-West-Germany/M/B000LG20II.htm

I assume that the V8 takes either the 6DJ8 or 6922.