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Post by diho on Oct 8, 2009 14:24:34 GMT
Hi Folks,
I'm new here. Bought a secondhand X-can V2 last week.
After 30 min. of listening to it the first evening a noticed the sound wasn't that good.
So, i opened the X-can (have had a X-10D many years ago) and there was the case why it was sounding that bad. It was equipped with Philips ECG tubes ! (ugly tube)
I have more than 100 tubes in my collection so, i swapped some real nice tubes quickly to see how it respond to tube rolling (some equipment doesn't react at all).
For a short while i listened to Siemens Cca, Siemens E288CC, Telefunken E88CC, Philips NOS, Mullard E88CC but i stuck with a pair of Brimar E88CC because of the really good Dynamics.
Hope to let you know in the future what tubes sound best to my ears.
Do not have the russian tube, some people write about overhere.
Really curious about the upgrades people here mention.
Best Regards,
Dimitri
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FauDrei
Been here a while! 
Posts: 489
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Post by FauDrei on Oct 8, 2009 14:57:13 GMT
Welcome Dimitri, My V2 sounds best (IMO) with Mike's russian 6N23P and with National's 6922 valves, but my valve "collection" is not that big nor distinguished as yours. As for V2 upgrades - liked most input caps shorting and output caps swapping with 2x 1000uF non-polars. Beside that I recommend a complete PSU board upgrade (caps, diodes and transistors) which also imply that you will need more power than standard 12V AC wallwart can provide. Perhaps it would be best to start "outside" with wallwart upgrade, and continue from there... but Mike, being absolute guru on the subject, can perhaps advise you better. Upgrading V2 can be a lot of fun - enjoy it.  |
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Oct 8, 2009 15:25:44 GMT
Yep, what FauDrei said.
There are also a few threads in this section which show the processes and give opinions on the virtues of each change. Worth a look through, if you have not already.
There is, for sure, plenty more to gain from the V2 than you are at the moment.
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Post by diho on Oct 9, 2009 9:16:19 GMT
Hello,
Thanks for your reactions.
I do not have the russian tube you spoke about.
But with tubes like Telefunken and Siemens Cca i think it's possible to research the X-can for tube capabilities. Far better then the Philips ECG tubes.
I'm not using the X-can as my main system, so the upgrade does not have any priority.
It's just a add-on to the normal hifi system, so i can listen when my girlfriend is going to bed early.
My main system consist of:
Glassaudio Passive preamp (DIY)
Audio Innovations First 2A3 tube amp (2x 7.5 watt)
Border Patrol PSU. (valve rectified)
Audio Note E-Spa loudspeakers (silver voice coils)
Audio Note Dac 3.1x Signature
Rega P3 + RB 300 (Audio Note silver tonearm wire)
Graham Slee ERA Gold Phonostage
Musical Fidelity X-can V2 (unmodified)
Sennheiser 380 pro headphone
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Post by dejanm on Oct 9, 2009 19:45:12 GMT
Hello, Thanks for your reactions. I do not have the russian tube you spoke about. But with tubes like Telefunken and Siemens Cca i think it's possible to research the X-can for tube capabilities. Far better then the Philips ECG tubes. I'm not using the X-can as my main system, so the upgrade does not have any priority. It's just a add-on to the normal hifi system, so i can listen when my girlfriend is going to bed early. My main system consist of: Glassaudio Passive preamp (DIY) Audio Innovations First 2A3 tube amp (2x 7.5 watt) Border Patrol PSU. (valve rectified) Audio Note E-Spa loudspeakers (silver voice coils) Audio Note Dac 3.1x Signature Rega P3 + RB 300 (Audio Note silver tonearm wire) Graham Slee ERA Gold Phonostage Musical Fidelity X-can V2 (unmodified) Sennheiser 380 pro headphone Nice system. And the tubes that you are speaking about (Telefunken and Siemens CCa) are the best. |
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Post by diho on Oct 12, 2009 12:12:43 GMT
I am one of those who thinks the Philips are a lot better than most give them credit for. Hello M, Every tube will sound different depending of his task (driver or Phase inverter) and ofcourse the equipment will have his influence. I've tried several ECG type's in different equipment (audion / audionote / audio innovations / musical fidelity x-10d & x can v2) and tasks and think it sounds very stressed. Besides that the high frequency are very unrealistic, often to hars. It's just not the tube that makes me enjoy the music. Even a normal "standard Sovtek 6922" sounds better in my ears. Please, tell me you expirence with the Philips ECG.. |
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Post by diho on Oct 13, 2009 8:29:36 GMT
It has been w/ X-Can V2, V3, and their tube buffer. Have some un-used NOS which I will try w/ a Monarch NM24 DAC. I'm curious about your findings. What NOS tubes do you have ? D. |
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Post by PinkFloyd on Oct 13, 2009 22:58:43 GMT
To my ears the JAN / Philips 6922 sound way too stressed in the X-Can V1 / V2 / V3.... they just don't gel to my ears. I have tried most of them, including UBER expensive ones, and have settled on the 6H23N Russians..... they are relatively cheap and give the best performance for the buck to my ears.
Of course YMMV.
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Post by diho on Oct 14, 2009 10:03:03 GMT
Were we not talking about the Philips? We are talking over your unused NOS tubes. |
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Post by diho on Oct 14, 2009 10:04:41 GMT
To my ears the JAN / Philips 6922 sound way too stressed in the X-Can V1 / V2 / V3.... they just don't gel to my ears. I have tried most of them, including UBER expensive ones, and have settled on the 6H23N Russians..... they are relatively cheap and give the best performance for the buck to my ears. Of course YMMV. What do you ask for a pair of these russian tubes? |
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