mrarroyo
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Post by mrarroyo on Jul 2, 2010 23:26:02 GMT
Today I finally fired the X-Can side by side w/ a PinkFloyd Modded X-Can V2. I am using Apple Lossless files and iTunes out of my iMac 21.5" 3.06 GHz. I am using a Blue Jean Optical cable to feed a Monarchy Audio DIP Combo which up-samples to 24/96 and re-clocks the signal. Next I use a silver plated coaxial cable to transfer the signal to a Monarchy Audio NM24 DAC.
BTW, the first album I chose was "The Best Of Fourplay" and the cans were my 5 year old Grado RS-1. Very interesting results so far with the OPA 2227 in the X-Can. I find that the presentation is geared to lower mids and a narrower soundstage and more in your face. The V2 has a more extended presentation and wider soundstage, however the X-Can is clearer within the range in which it plays the music.
My wife listened and she clearly and quickly preferred the sound out of the original X-Can. BTW, I used a Radio Shack digital sound level meter to make sure the output of both amps was the same.
I will use the rest of the weekend to continue testing the unit and hope to post more impressions over the next few days. Oh and although the above may make you thank they are totally different sounding amps that is not the case. You can hear the house sound and tonally there are a few similarities.
More to come and thanks to Mike for the wonderful work he did in the unit.
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mrarroyo
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Post by mrarroyo on Jul 3, 2010 12:06:30 GMT
Today I have been spending some time listening to both the X-Can and the X-Can V2 using a highly modded Grado SR80. This can sounds IMO a lot better than the stock SR80 but it is not as good as the RS-1, thus although I can hear the same type of differences noted w/ the RS-1 they are less pronounce and you have to listen more intensely to pick up the nuances and the individual amp characteristics.
Mike, I know you do not care for the LM4562 sound. However can it be used in the X-Can w/o damaging it or the op-amp? Thanks.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 3, 2010 12:39:05 GMT
Miguel, I find the V1 and V2 incredibly close. I'm not sure exactly what I have in mine now but I'm listening on Senns mostly, so perhaps the top isn't so clearly differentiated.
I think you're spot on with the focus. The V1 does focus right in front of your eyes more so than the V2.
Did your wife prefer the V2 or V1 because you wrote the original and I'm not sure if you meant the one you originally had or the V1 which is the MF original?
My preference (I think) is the V1. Not a lot in it though.
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Post by krisno on Jul 3, 2010 14:28:42 GMT
Do you have the same tubes in the V1 and V2?
Could you do a comparison also with AKG K 701 - to see which amp suits those headphones the best? I presume maybe the V1 because of the characteristics you describe.
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Post by PinkFloyd on Jul 3, 2010 19:12:40 GMT
Today I have been spending some time listening to both the X-Can and the X-Can V2 using a highly modded Grado SR80. This can sounds IMO a lot better than the stock SR80 but it is not as good as the RS-1, thus although I can hear the same type of differences noted w/ the RS-1 they are less pronounce and you have to listen more intensely to pick up the nuances and the individual amp characteristics. Mike, I know you do not care for the LM4562 sound. However can it be used in the X-Can w/o damaging it or the op-amp? Thanks. Miguel, Should be ok to fit the LM4562.... give them a go and see what they sound like. Mike. |
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mrarroyo
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Post by mrarroyo on Jul 4, 2010 15:16:55 GMT
By "original" I mean the X-Can, or the V1 as some call it. I have now switched to my highly modded Denon AH-D2000 w/ a silver-plated OCC cable and the Lawton Audio (MarkL) V4 Bubinga Wood Cups and internal mods, plus a set of JMoney leather ear-pads.
For critical listening I still prefer the V2, but if I was just sitting back "chilling" I can see some preferring the "original" X-Can (or V1 as some call it). The Denon sounds very engaging and fun out of the "original" you can loose yourself in the presentation. BTW, I am still using the original OPA2227 that Mike shipped with the amp. Next I will try the AKG K501 which have the APureSound V3 re-cable.
Mike, can the "original" X-Can be modded to lower the gain like the V2? I ask because I listen at very low volumes and would like more control with the volume pot. Thanks.
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elysion
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Post by elysion on Jul 4, 2010 15:31:41 GMT
Rabbit and I got very good results with the Neco's that have a lower gain and a linear pot. The signal-to-noise-ratio is also better with a lower gain (thanks to sandyk for the information about this).
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Post by PinkFloyd on Jul 4, 2010 18:54:44 GMT
By "original" I mean the X-Can, or the V1 as some call it. I have now switched to my highly modded Denon AH-D2000 w/ a silver-plated OCC cable and the Lawton Audio (MarkL) V4 Bubinga Wood Cups and internal mods, plus a set of JMoney leather ear-pads. For critical listening I still prefer the V2, but if I was just sitting back "chilling" I can see some preferring the "original" X-Can (or V1 as some call it). The Denon sounds very engaging and fun out of the "original" you can loose yourself in the presentation. BTW, I am still using the original OPA2227 that Mike shipped with the amp. Next I will try the AKG K501 which have the APureSound V3 re-cable. Mike, can the "original" X-Can be modded to lower the gain like the V2? I ask because I listen at very low volumes and would like more control with the volume pot. Thanks. Miguel, The OPA2227 are not the originals as supplied with the amp.... the originals are Philips made NE5532 (they are on their way over to you).... do you have any chips kicking about? If so, try the OPA2132 / OPA2134 / AD823 / OPA2107 etc.... all sound good but slightly different from one another. You can alter the gain (a couple of resistors) I don't have a V1 in the house at the moment but, as soon as I do, will tell you what ones to change.... actually, a high res photo of the bottom PCB will do if you have one. Try the Russians out when they arrive, I think they will really open the sound out.... they are pretty rare ones (have a look at the frames) and I've had very good results with them in my V2. Mike. |
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Post by krisno on Jul 4, 2010 20:13:21 GMT
My guess is that the russians in the V1 combined with AKG K 501 will sound just fantastic. AKG will bring the wide soundstage. The russians will bring the bass and speed, and the opamp will mask/add magic to the slightly "hard" russian upper mids while bringing the treble. It has the potential to be "incredible" combination.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 4, 2010 21:03:24 GMT
..... oooh. Stop guessing!!!
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Post by PinkFloyd on Jul 4, 2010 21:16:34 GMT
My guess is that the russians in the V1 combined with AKG K 501 will sound just fantastic. AKG will bring the wide soundstage. The russians will bring the bass and speed, and the opamp will mask/add magic to the slightly "hard" russian upper mids while bringing the treble. It has the potential to be "incredible" combination. Effin hell man.... you've got it all wrong...... stop "thinking" and start "listening".... it's the only way to the truth. Mike. |
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Post by krisno on Jul 4, 2010 21:45:01 GMT
right...
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Post by PinkFloyd on Jul 4, 2010 22:07:18 GMT
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Post by krisno on Jul 4, 2010 22:16:56 GMT
I stand fine where I am and to repeat your saying - "I am not going down that path"....
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Post by PinkFloyd on Jul 4, 2010 22:47:31 GMT
I stand fine where I am and to repeat your saying - "I am not going down that path".... OK.... be like that... all I wanted was a "naked" shot of your conical head.... is that too much to ask? You really have dissapointed me Kris..... I have been "grooming" you for ages just to get a picture of your conical noggin..... I'll have to go to sleep tonight with my "stock" image of your head  Please stop the torture..... Let us witness the true "krisnoid" head... only then can we understand.    |
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mrarroyo
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Post by mrarroyo on Jul 4, 2010 22:50:10 GMT
I have lots of op-amps to play with: 8066, 2134, 8656, 8616, 4562, etc.
More listening is needed.
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leo
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Post by leo on Jul 4, 2010 23:05:50 GMT
I stand fine where I am and to repeat your saying - "I am not going down that path".... OK.... be like that... all I wanted was a "naked" shot of your conical head.... is that too much to ask? You really have dissapointed me Kris..... I have been "grooming" you for ages just to get a picture of your conical noggin..... I'll have to go to sleep tonight with my "stock" image of your head Please stop the torture..... Let us witness the true "krisnoid" head... only then can we understand. Sorry, this was another spit my tea out moment ;D You have me in stitches sometimes  |
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XTRProf
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Post by XTRProf on Jul 5, 2010 6:55:17 GMT
I have lots of op-amps to play with: 8066, 2134, 8656, 8616, 4562, etc. More listening is needed. Yeah, don't forget the discrete OP amp as well ..........  |
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Post by krisno on Jul 5, 2010 9:21:29 GMT
Try it with the russians mrrayo...
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Post by krisno on Jul 5, 2010 12:43:40 GMT
I just installed the Audiotrak soundcard.
Right out of the box.
The D1 had more bass and was alo darker. The Audiotrack is a little brighter also, It is a bit more detailed. Maybe a little more musical also....
The positives on the audiotrak vs the D1 is very little.... the negatives are more. The Audiotrack is incredibly bright.... incredible. It makes my games unplayable with the AKG K 701 directly in the card, it also lacks bass.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 5, 2010 17:48:59 GMT
Being under-driven 'can' cause that Kris. Try another amp in line. You're more on track getting the source to be better but the K701 need a lot of reserve imo.
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elysion
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Post by elysion on Jul 5, 2010 18:20:04 GMT
Sometimes I had also the lacking bass problem with my K702. Since I'm using the Neco Mosfet V2 with the K702, the bass is just spot on. I have tried a couple of audio interfaces with the Mosfet+K702 and even with the low-end Behringer UCA222 the sound was very good (although with less resolution as the FCA202 I'm mostly using). The right amp can make a huge difference with the K701/K702's IMO. My Sennheiser's are a lot more forgiving. I don't say the Neco Mosfet V2 is THE solution for K701/K702, but I'm very happy with it. Interestingly both Neco's (Portable+Mosfet) are enhancing the bass of my HD650's too. The bass of the HD650 doesn't sound as bloated as with other amps.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 5, 2010 18:25:43 GMT
Yes, I fnd the Neco portable good with the Senns too. Really balanced.
Here's the funny thing with amps, one I like with the K701 is the presonus HP4. Probably because it doesn't have the 'sharp' edge that many other amps have.
Biggest problem is the silly little volume knobs and poor tracking at lower end. Maybe one day, I could get it tweaked by Mike!!!
It adds more roundness to the K701 which is really pleasant. It's not as revealing as other amps but that could be tampered with .....
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Post by krisno on Jul 5, 2010 20:20:14 GMT
Miles davis sounds not too bad now..... its brigther than D1 with the opa 2134 burr brown which suprise me....... but it is better. Its more "natural" sounding and larger soundstage.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 5, 2010 20:30:15 GMT
Kris,
I don't know whether you have anyone near that could lend you gear or a shop to try, but I just had a thought re: the top end.
I've just got hold of an ATH AD700 (again!!) in order to check something another member was saying and see if I could help.
However, although it's slightly less detailed than a Senn HD600 (although I don't find this a problem in any way) it is actually a really good compromise between the HD600 and the K701.
It has a feathery light top end and is warmer than the K701.
ie: it's kind of sits halfway between them in terms of timbre.
The ATH ad700 may be an answer for you if you are sensitive to top end shrillness.
It has an amazing soundstage and is almost like a warm version of the K701 in sound.
I think that it works extremely well with MP3/lossless, which is what I originally got one for.
Revisiting it now, has reminded me just how good this headphone is and not too expensive. Low impedance so give it a healthy current and it's a lovely listen.
I have a feeling that you may like it.
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