the pinkie on the v2 doesnt really make that much of a difference
It's not meant to Christian. If you INSTANTLY hear a difference then something is wrong.... it means the entire tonality of the amp has been changed. The Pinkie does what it is supposed to do, it reduces the noise floor and enhances what is already there..... the last thing I want it to do is make a "difference"
Prolonged listening should show an "improvement" in everything that is already there but certainly not a "difference"
Yes, I know that a Pinkie doesn't change everything. I've made a similar experience with the use of UPS systems which have also filters in it. The noise floor is reduced (the Pinkie SE does this absolutely perfect) and one of the "enhancements" are also more details IMO. I've thought that Kris wants
the perfect comparison of V2/V3. I can't give him that perfect comparison anyway.
I'm in doubt that both amps sound best with the same type of tubes. While I think the JAN 6922 are wonderful tubes for the V2 (and maybe V1), I prefer clearly the Philips E88CC SQ in the V3. I didn't try the Philips E88CC SQ with the V2 so far. I don't have much time at the moment, but I'll try to get a few more tubes in the next few months.
Personally, I don't see much reason to change for other tube types as I'm very pleased with how the amps are sounding. Maybe there's a slight channel imbalance with the V3. It's a very slight imbalance, maybe related to the tubes I'm using. I have no way to measure the tubes. That's IMO a reason to try other tubes. I have also two other pairs of E88CC SQ (3x "NOS", 1x slightly used). I've JAN 6922 in my V2 and the X10-D. Those in the V2 have green markings while the X10-D got some with blue markings (I have also one spare tube with blue markings).
I'll compare the V2 with the V3 ASAP, but this means at least a few additional days. They had not much burn-in so far.
Yes. I am not saying its not working. I am just saying that comparing V2 vs V3, I wouldnt mind if the pinkie was attachted or not. I rather focus on use the same tubes. Also I would want to say that the absolutly MOST sound changing part in those MF amps are the tubes. Nothing else compares....
Out of my mind, - correct me if I am wrong:
the V2 has less details than the V3
the V2 has smaller soundstage than the V3.
the V2 has more bass than the V3.
The V2 is a "speedy" and more "aggressive" amp than the V3
the v2 is a little brighter and harsher in general than the V3.
am I right? ..... using stock tubes atleast.
Its 2 years since i owned the V3, I dont really know how it sounds like anymore. Atleast not a modded one. I want a perfect modded V3 for X-mas .... a present to my self.
K
I think you need more time to compare your gear. I've made the experience that my own taste changes over time and that I've discovered some good combos only at the second (or third) view. I don't want to prevent you from buying/modding a V3, but I think you should clearly know first what you are searching for exactly.
What kind of headphones/amps/sources do you already have? I know you had at least a K701 and some Senn's. Maybe we can help you better if we know more about that (and, of course, about your expectations).
Kris,
I get the feeling that X Cans are not for you. Listening to V1 2 or 8 shows them to have smilar traits and they have more subtle differences than just this one is more whatever than that. The V1 and 2 are a gnat's whisker apart for me. the 1 has more subtle tweaking at its disposal I suppose V8 is more trasparent but perhaps a bit too clinical for my tastes. I'm very attached to the V2 especially with the buffer in line, but that could be my head taking over because it was my first modded one and just bowled me over if I'm honest.
I hate to say this but imo, the Panda is better. Forget the old tubes verses solid state crap- whatever it's construction, it simply sounds better. I have no preference when iy comes to valves/SS.
Maybe you'd be far better off with something like a Panda? I just feel that X- Cans don't suit your tastes.
Kris, you've told us more than once that you had problems with the treble on the V2 (which was "harsh" or whatever). You are still rather young and also a few years younger than I am. Are you a bit sensitive in the treble? I'm too... I had problems with some combos, there're really some headphones that aren't exactly for me.
I like absolutely non-fatiguing listening over long time. If there's a treble that annoys me, I've almost instantly problems with ear-fatigue. I can't live with that. I had such problems (for example) with the unmodded V-Can and the HD560 OvII (it's totally awful in this regard). There're are also a few combos that are not for me, but the problem aren't the parts of the combo here. It's the combo that didn't match. You've mentioned that that your problem with the treble ("harshness") was at least partially solved by using HD600/HD650 instead of K701.
IMO it's the combo that counts. Not the single amps, the single tube etc. It's the combo that makes the music.
Maybe Rabbit is right and the X-Cans aren't for you. But maybe there's just your combo that is no good match.
Since I'm rather sensitive in the treble, I can give you some advice about combos that work for me. I was always searching for "headphone heaven" which means non-fatiguing listening over very long time, but also low noisefloor, details and musicality.
I guess the SR850's would be optimal 'phones for you. HD600/650 are also very good for people that are a bit sensitive in the treble. The K701/K702 are also no problem
IF you are using them with good matching amps and
IF you give them enough power (listening at too low volume levels is a problem here).
You don't need to be fixed on the "tube road". There are plenty of good alternatives. I'm very happy with the Neco Mosfet and Neco Portable. Both are good matches with the HD600/650, K701/K702 and SR850.
I don't have the AUNE or the PANDA, but IMO they are really worth a closer look. I believe Mike, Rabbit and the other PANDA owners that it is a wonderful amps. I can't compare, but I'm almost sure you won't make a mistake if you got that way.
Maybe the matrix m-stage would be also an option, but to be honest no one here has that amp and it's only an assumption that it sounds good.
The unmodded V-Can (which has – at least for me – a very annoying treble) is IMO a proof that problems with the treble ("harshness") isn't something that is related to tubes.
Maybe I should send you my HD560 OvII's for testing. I'm sure you'll hate them. Your ears would hurt after half an hour of listening, because the treble is that annoying.
Have you ever thinked of a filter mod to adjust what you are missing? I'm almost sure the treble problem of the HD560 OvII's could also be fixed (at least partially) by a filter mod from Frans. He's a real genius with such things.
I tried a lot of damping materials in front of the HD560 OvII drivers, but had only partial success with thick damping materials (three layers of fabrics). The treble was not that sharp after adding the thick damping material, but I lost also some details in the midrange. The treble was still annoying, but not as much as before. I guess a real solution is only possible with a filter mod here (to cut the annoying part of the treble away).
Prolonged listening should show an "improvement" in everything that is already there but certainly not a "difference" 
