MF X-Pre - any good ?

[dejanm]

Hi,

I did have some experience with MF X-Pre V3 preamp and I didn't like it very much. But I never had any experience with previous version. Can somebody put a brief comment on it ? Is it worth any money ... ?

[Deleted]

I only have experience of the V1 (no not the rocket!), that I used to sell.

It's OK is all I can say, it was a cheap option back then and as such was quite competent, don't know how upgradable it may be.

For that money you can pick up all sorts of cheap pre's, e.g. Exposure VII (7), it's early incarnation goes very cheap 2nd hand, guess you may need a re-cap but they are still stonking value 2nd hand.

[derekrumble]

I have an X-Pre V3 and I love it.

I had used a passive pre based around an Alps Blue pot for years and years, but needed a pre with remote (as we use my main system for TV) and was fed up with jumping up and down to tweak the volume.

When I bought my X-Pre V3 earlier this year I was sure that I would have both the X-Pre and my passive wired up and in use all the time - so that I could use the passive for serious listening, and the X-Pre for non-critical use. But after installing the X-Pre I wasn't bothered enough to go back to my passive pre-amp. The X-Pre is smooth, non aggresive, and detailed. The phono stage is a nice one too, not that i play with vinyl often. A further bonus is that I paid three hundred and something pounds for it, new, with guarantee. An end of line deal; I posted on this topic before so do a search for X-Pre v3 if you want to read the details.

Regards,

Derek

[derekrumble]

Aug 16, 2008 6:21:26 GMT dejanm said:

Hi,

I did have some experience with MF X-Pre V3 preamp and I didn't like it very much. But I never had any experience with previous version. Can somebody put a brief comment on it ? Is it worth any money ... ?

And in writing what I did just now, I completely ignored the point of your post! Sorry mate. But the X-Pre V3 is such a heavyweight bit of kit, with a very generous power supply, that I can't think how any of the earlier X-Pre's would measure up.

I have the X-Can V3, which isn't too far removed from other X components as they are all based around a common circuit design? If you are happy with a single input the X-Can can be used as valve / solid pre-amp. I experimented with this but prefer the X-Pre V3 undoubtedly. A much classier sound - lacks character, which I mean in a very positive way.

D.

[dejanm]

Thanks Derek for your reply. Do you perhaps have a schematics of your V3 preamp ?

[XTRProf]

Aug 16, 2008 12:52:53 GMT @cjarchez said:

I only have experience of the V1 (no not the rocket!), that I used to sell.

For a moment, I thought hifi has come out of age and going into rocket science stuff!

[XTRProf]

Actually, this all boils down to matching of equipment. I had heard a certain equipment being very disappointing in one system but sounds great in another. Ya, the same piece of equipment. Hint: a cheap but VFM British speaker.

[sometrolls2]

I think the old Xcans, 10D and pre were all quite similar - they are all low power line amps, I think using the same tubes. The XPre could become quite expensive( toward £200) if given new tubes, a cap upgrade and a torroid in a box PSU. There are probably better value buys out there.