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Post by PinkFloyd on May 6, 2009 21:42:31 GMT
And the amp itself too. Btw does the X-can V3 need extra ventilation or can it handle the higher temperatures? Perfectly fine temperature wise..... just make sure your PSU is MEATY enough to supply the 6N1P-EV otherwise IT may go into meltdown  |
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Post by PinkFloyd on May 6, 2009 21:53:20 GMT
I've been running her alongside a Graham Slee Solo, a Graham Slee Novo, an x-can v2, a project headbox and the SCHA..... the V-Can comes out top every time Is it worth £95? No..... not at all. Is it worth spending another £150 to make it better? Yes. The stock DC wallwart is a joke, there are a lot of aspects of the amp than can (and need to be improved) be improved.... if you're not DIY inclined then avoid this one like the plague, if you don't mind getting your hands dirty then this one may be for you. A lot of contradiction flying about here. Is the stock VCAN good or not? The stock V-Can is "acceptable" being neither good nor bad.... the volume control is a bastard and really IN YOUR FACE!.... stock verges on "uncomfortable" and can be an ear bleeding listen at times... it's a warts and all, take no prisoners listen... ok for 5 minutes but crap if you contemplate listening for 5 hours. Also.... don't believe the hype about it driving "all" headphones the same... it is DIRE with the likes of AKG K-701 (unless you listen at really low levels) and runs out of gas big time when the shit hits the fan (crescendos / peaks) I've lived with it for quite some time now and would I recommend it "as it is"? No. It has too many flaws that need ironing out. Would I recommend it if you were prepared to spend another £50 on it to iron out the flaws? Of course I would  www.rock-grotto.co.uk/musical-fidelity-VCAN-upgrade-kit-mod.html The mods TOTALLY transform the SQ into VERY good. Mike. |
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Post by beagle on May 6, 2009 22:54:15 GMT
Thank you for the clarification. After reading your earlier post (Feb 17, 2009, 9:27pm) I was ready to go for it. Then the enthusiasm seemed to go quickly downhill. Seems it went from being better than the Graham Slee Solo/Novo/X-CANS V2 to a barely acceptable option.
I guess what I really wanted to know was if you still consider the VCAN to be superior to the above amps?
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Post by v52001 on May 8, 2009 4:37:35 GMT
I own the V-Can. I've had it for about 3 months now. I think it sounds very good, especially with my AKG K271 phones. Am I crazy to think it sounds very good out of the box?
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Post by PinkFloyd on May 8, 2009 8:58:49 GMT
I own the V-Can. I've had it for about 3 months now. I think it sounds very good, especially with my AKG K271 phones. Am I crazy to think it sounds very good out of the box? No you are NOT crazy to think it sounds good out of the box! Remember, some of us here are picky buggers and we expect absolute perfection.... the immediacy of the volume control is annoying and I find the stock sound a bit "raw", other than that it's a bloody superb amp for the money. Mike. |
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Post by knireis on May 8, 2009 11:10:59 GMT
I own the V-Can. I've had it for about 3 months now. I think it sounds very good, especially with my AKG K271 phones. Am I crazy to think it sounds very good out of the box? No you are NOT crazy to think it sounds good out of the box! Remember, some of us here are picky buggers and we expect absolute perfection.... the immediacy of the volume control is annoying and I find the stock sound a bit "raw", other than that it's a bloody superb amp for the money. Mike. The immediacy of the volume is not that bad with a HD600 and the 'raw' sounds to me as realistic. Compared to 'tube' it is indeed a bit raw. I also have an older model Rega Ear which sounds less raw but also has less tight bass. |
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Post by v52001 on May 8, 2009 12:23:58 GMT
I still may be interested in some of the mods anyway.
How about just rolling the op-amp? Would I hear any significant difference in sound quality just trying different op-amps; and not mod anything else?
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Post by PinkFloyd on May 8, 2009 13:19:48 GMT
I still may be interested in some of the mods anyway. How about just rolling the op-amp? Would I hear any significant difference in sound quality just trying different op-amps; and not mod anything else? YES! the stock opamp really is a dog compared to, say, a Burr Brown OPA 4132.... fitting a DIL14 socket would be a good move as you will be able to try out quite a few different opamps. Mike. |
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Post by PinkFloyd on May 8, 2009 13:52:24 GMT
I sell the DIL14 turned pin sockets for £1 each
Burr Brown OPA4132 on Wimslow adaptics SOIC to DIP adaptors are £18.50 each ( I solder the opamp onto the adaptor so they are ready to go)
Burr Brown OPA404KP £15 (DIP)
Burr Brown OPA4227 £15 (DIP)
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Post by v52001 on May 9, 2009 4:53:25 GMT
I also have a Graham Slee Novo and was trying to compare it tonight next to my V-Can. My Novo is using the stock switch-mode supply and my V-Can is still the stock unmodded amp. I have to say that the two amps sound very similair to my ears.
My question to you is; Was your V-Can already modified when you ran it alongside the Novo, or was it still the stock V-Can?
I would imagine that the modded V-Can would sound much better than the Novo.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 9, 2009 5:30:05 GMT
I also have a Graham Slee Novo and was trying to compare it tonight next to my V-Can. My Novo is using the stock switch-mode supply and my V-Can is still the stock unmodded amp. I have to say that the two amps sound very similair to my ears. My question to you is; Was your V-Can already modified when you ran it alongside the Novo, or was it still the stock V-Can? I would imagine that the modded V-Can would sound much better than the Novo. v52001 Have you tried earthing the case of the Novo ? This usually gives better results when using a SMPS as supplied standard. SandyK |
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robertkd
Been here a while! 
Electronics Engineer from sunny Queensland
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Post by robertkd on May 9, 2009 12:00:42 GMT
I also have a Graham Slee Novo and was trying to compare it tonight next to my V-Can. My Novo is using the stock switch-mode supply and my V-Can is still the stock unmodded amp. I have to say that the two amps sound very similair to my ears. My question to you is; Was your V-Can already modified when you ran it alongside the Novo, or was it still the stock V-Can? I would imagine that the modded V-Can would sound much better than the Novo. some people are so easily pleased  |
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Post by PinkFloyd on May 9, 2009 12:20:40 GMT
The V-Can was in "modded" guise when I compared it to the NOVO etc. I really should have compared it when it was in stock guise but I couldn't wait to get under the bonnet |
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Post by v52001 on May 9, 2009 12:29:58 GMT
I have not tried that yet, but I think I will and see what happens. Thanks.
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Post by PinkFloyd on May 9, 2009 22:43:24 GMT
I also have a Graham Slee Novo and was trying to compare it tonight next to my V-Can. My Novo is using the stock switch-mode supply and my V-Can is still the stock unmodded amp. I have to say that the two amps sound very similair to my ears. My question to you is; Was your V-Can already modified when you ran it alongside the Novo, or was it still the stock V-Can? I would imagine that the modded V-Can would sound much better than the Novo. some people are so easily pleased Don't knock it till you've tried it Robert..... some of us PREFER music over specs ;D |
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robertkd
Been here a while!
Electronics Engineer from sunny Queensland
Posts: 111
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Post by robertkd on May 10, 2009 0:01:13 GMT
some people are so easily pleased Don't knock it till you've tried it Robert..... some of us PREFER music over specs ;D Mike, I was referring to your observations of "stock" compared to "tweaked" according to this very thread ;D PS I know and some of us have music and spec's  |
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Spirit
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That's where I'm gonna go when I die
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Post by Spirit on May 10, 2009 5:55:09 GMT
I know and some of us have music and spec's Champ |
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Post by PinkFloyd on May 10, 2009 22:32:45 GMT
I know and some of us have music and spec's Some of us hear music, some are deaf...... some of us need specs others are blind.... what is your point? |
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robertkd
Been here a while!
Electronics Engineer from sunny Queensland
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Post by robertkd on May 11, 2009 1:11:25 GMT
I know and some of us have music and spec's Some of us hear music, some are deaf...... some of us need specs others are blind.... what is your point? Mike, I thought you where making the point? |
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Post by v52001 on May 12, 2009 20:30:38 GMT
I'm going ahead with the V-Can upgrade kit; Capacitors plus Opamp. I'll post here and let everyone know how it is coming along, or when I'm done. Wish me luck!  |
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Post by PinkFloyd on May 12, 2009 21:02:44 GMT
I'm going ahead with the V-Can upgrade kit; Capacitors plus Opamp. I'll post here and let everyone know how it is coming along, or when I'm done. Wish me luck! Good luck! Any problems just drop me an e-mail and I'll do my best to help you. Mike. |
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Post by traf on May 15, 2009 11:23:55 GMT
Mike Have you tried replacing the BD139/140 output transistors a la SCHA? hint  Simon |
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robertkd
Been here a while!
Electronics Engineer from sunny Queensland
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Post by robertkd on May 15, 2009 11:47:51 GMT
Mike Have you tried replacing the BD139/140 output transistors a la SCHA? hint Simon Simon, another type that works very well in the SC HA is the 2SB649/2SD664 just to through some more into the mix. Also worth a try, the adaptation of a pair of LM4972/4562HA's Robert |
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Post by traf on May 15, 2009 12:10:50 GMT
Mike Have you tried replacing the BD139/140 output transistors a la SCHA? hint Simon Simon, another type that works very well in the SC HA is the 2SB649/2SD664 just to through some more into the mix. Also worth a try, the adaptation of a pair of LM4972/4562HA's Robert Hi Robert I've already created the 'spider version' using 2x49720HA in quad opamp mode (this time soldered in directly) which works very well. Have also added a splattering of the Samwha caps that Mike uses and knocked up a beefy PSU which uses twin SCHA psu boards (the VCan only needs a single sided supply though, unlike my modded VDac). I had some spare 1930/5171 lying around so thought 'what the hell...' They seem to tame the slightly overenthusiastic treble whithout loosing any detail and and transients appear to have a lot more weight behind them. Overall I'm very pleased. I'd agree with Mike that in stock form the V-Can is OK, if a little brittle in character (which may only be because I didn't give it sufficient burn in time). The mods add a lot more refinement, weight and detail. I thougtht my ATH-W1000 were a tad bass shy, but with my modded V-Can driving them I'm not so sure I certainly prefer it to my SCHA. The best thing about it though is that it fits under my sofa, with the Airport express, psu and vdac stuffed behind it where mrs P can't see them cheers simon |
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robertkd
Been here a while!
Electronics Engineer from sunny Queensland
Posts: 111
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Post by robertkd on May 15, 2009 12:31:38 GMT
I've already created the 'spider version' using 2x49720HA in quad opamp mode (this time soldered in directly) which works very well. Have also added a splattering of the Samwha caps that Mike uses and knocked up a beefy PSU which uses twin SCHA psu boards (the VCan only needs a single sided supply though, unlike my modded VDac). exactly what I was thinking and no less then what I expected ;D you know reading this and thinking what about the differences the transistors make I immediately think in band distortion, doubly when you say "tame the slightly overenthusiastic treble whithout loosing any detail,..." which is also my observations changing out the original SC HA devices. maybe you just haven't done the right mods to the SC HA Robert |
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