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Which is the best for me, the MF X-Can v3 or the Darkvoice 332? It will drive a Senn HD595, Beyer DT990 250ohms, Grado SR225 and Denon D2000.
Do you think one of these will be an upgrade to my LD II++?
Both good amps, and I have owned both. For me, the 332 is clearly the better amp - but very headphone dependent: the 332 excels with high impedance cans, like the Sennheisers and Beyers. With lower impedance cans, it struggles, although some say it sounds good with the D2000s. In this respect the X-CAN V3 is a better all rounder: it drives pretty much anything, but with high impedance headphones it doesn't sound as good as the 332.
Both good amps, and I have owned both. For me, the 332 is clearly the better amp - but very headphone dependent: the 332 excels with high impedance cans, like the Sennheisers and Beyers. With lower impedance cans, it struggles, although some say it sounds good with the D2000s. In this respect the X-CAN V3 is a better all rounder: it drives pretty much anything, but with high impedance headphones it doesn't sound as good as the 332.
Agree completely. Had both... and the DV332 is a superb amp with moderate to high impedance phones. It can be a little "rough" with Grados and Denons - though not terrible - just not as smooth as with the X-CANv3. But... to be great... the X-CANv3 needs the "PinkFloyd Mods" (caps, diodes and tubes - a simple DIY mod). The DV332 needs no mods - though it improves with better tubes.
But... the X-CANv8 is virtually as good with Senns as the DV332, and is better with Denons, Grados and ATHs. It needs no mods. My only qualification of the X-CANv8 is that my unit requires the POT to be set to about 2 O'clock to produce loud volume from my Senns - "not that there's anything wrong with that." Other's report they get loud volume from theirs at 11 O'clock. As far as the sound quality, soundstage, and everything else - it is a superb amp, at a bargain price!!!
If I were choosing only one for Senns - it would be the DV332.
If I were choosing only one - it would be the X-CANv8.
__________________ Sources: Marantz SA-8001 SACD/CDP - California Audio Labs Delta Transport - California Audio Labs Alpha Tube DAC - Monarchy Audio M24 Tube DAC - Monarchy Digital Upsampler - Sony Walkman EJ612CK & JD01 Portable CDPs -- Sold: Musical Fidelity XDAC v3 -- Music Hall MMF CD25 1+ CDP - California Audio Labs Sigma II Tube DAC.
Amps: Singlepower Extreme (canceled order) - WooAudio 6 SE Maxed (in process) - Aphex 204 Aural Exciter (to remove HD650 veil) - Shellbrook Maxi Moy Portable -- Sold: Darkvoice 332 w Svetlana 6S19P-EV & Tung Sol 5654 tubes (superb) - Musical Fidelity X-CANv8 - Musical Fidelity XCAN v3 (with PinkFloyd Mods) - Musical Fidelity X10 v3 Tube Buffer with XPSU v3 - Graham Slee Solo 2007 - WooAudio 3 - Grado RA-1 - Shellbrook Audio Lab Hybrid Head (Millet Hybrid) - Core Audio Tube Buffer - Meier Audio Move.
Phones: Senn HD580 (new version modded & de-veiled) w RAL Senn Cryo-Silver cable - Grado RS-1 - ATH AD2000 - Denon AH D5000 w Markl Mods -- Sold: Bose Tri-Port ("the beginning”) - Senn HD280 Pro - Senn HD600 x2 (old versions) & HD650 x2 (old and new versions) w Cardas, Zu Mobius, Headphile Senn v2 Blacksilver cables - Grado SR125 - Grado SR225 - Grado SR325i - Grado GS-1000.
Accessories: Signal Cable Black Magic PCs x2 - Iron Lung Jellyfish PCs x2 - CT Cryo Silver ICs x6 - Shellbrook Silver Mini IC - RnB Audio Sky Blue Mini IC - Caig Pro Gold - Walker SST - Herbie‘s Tube Dampers.
Avoid X-Can V3, I owned one, it's a peice of junk! Screaming highs and no bass.....Go for the Darkvoice or a good portable.
I own Heed Canamp to drive my AKG K701 and I love it. But I think it's out of your budget.
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Analog: Rega Planar 2 + Goldring 1012GX + Rega Fono Digital: Moded Philips CD160 Tube Amp: Yaqin MC5881A Amp: Cyrus Two Speakers: Rega R5 Cables: Mission Solid Core (speakers), DIY Cat5 IC's Headphones: AKG K701, Alessandro MS1 Headphone amp: Heed Canamp, Corda 2Move Portable iPod 30Gb 5G, iPod Touch, iGrado, Ultimate Ears Super.Fi 5 Pro EB, MacBook Desktop: Apple Power Macintosh G5 Dual Core (2.0 Ghz) + AKG K701
The PF Modified X-CANv3 is a superb amp with both Senns, Grados and ATHs. The mods make a big difference. Nothing like you describe.
Though the DV332 and X-CANv8 are better.
__________________ Sources: Marantz SA-8001 SACD/CDP - California Audio Labs Delta Transport - California Audio Labs Alpha Tube DAC - Monarchy Audio M24 Tube DAC - Monarchy Digital Upsampler - Sony Walkman EJ612CK & JD01 Portable CDPs -- Sold: Musical Fidelity XDAC v3 -- Music Hall MMF CD25 1+ CDP - California Audio Labs Sigma II Tube DAC.
Amps: Singlepower Extreme (canceled order) - WooAudio 6 SE Maxed (in process) - Aphex 204 Aural Exciter (to remove HD650 veil) - Shellbrook Maxi Moy Portable -- Sold: Darkvoice 332 w Svetlana 6S19P-EV & Tung Sol 5654 tubes (superb) - Musical Fidelity X-CANv8 - Musical Fidelity XCAN v3 (with PinkFloyd Mods) - Musical Fidelity X10 v3 Tube Buffer with XPSU v3 - Graham Slee Solo 2007 - WooAudio 3 - Grado RA-1 - Shellbrook Audio Lab Hybrid Head (Millet Hybrid) - Core Audio Tube Buffer - Meier Audio Move.
Phones: Senn HD580 (new version modded & de-veiled) w RAL Senn Cryo-Silver cable - Grado RS-1 - ATH AD2000 - Denon AH D5000 w Markl Mods -- Sold: Bose Tri-Port ("the beginning”) - Senn HD280 Pro - Senn HD600 x2 (old versions) & HD650 x2 (old and new versions) w Cardas, Zu Mobius, Headphile Senn v2 Blacksilver cables - Grado SR125 - Grado SR225 - Grado SR325i - Grado GS-1000.
Accessories: Signal Cable Black Magic PCs x2 - Iron Lung Jellyfish PCs x2 - CT Cryo Silver ICs x6 - Shellbrook Silver Mini IC - RnB Audio Sky Blue Mini IC - Caig Pro Gold - Walker SST - Herbie‘s Tube Dampers.
I use the v3 and I love it. I have the PF mods and run some NOS Westinghouse 6922's that make all the difference.
I use this amp my 701's, my HD650's, and my newly aquired d2000's (with Markl mods). I believe it to be one of the best all around headphone amps out there. I've compared it side by side to both the Woo 3+ and the Woo 6 and stil prefer the MF. Very versatile and a great little amp.
Is the X-Canv3 much better than LittleDot II++? Where can I find the X-Canv8 with a good price?
I don't know... haven't found the place yet.
But... even at $550 (MSRP) - the amp is a huge value! I don't think you'll risk losing a lot, even at that price - it's that good. Though... no doubt... eventually you'll be able to buy them at a bit better price on Audiogon. But that may be a while.
Personally... I think its good enough to "just do it."
__________________ Sources: Marantz SA-8001 SACD/CDP - California Audio Labs Delta Transport - California Audio Labs Alpha Tube DAC - Monarchy Audio M24 Tube DAC - Monarchy Digital Upsampler - Sony Walkman EJ612CK & JD01 Portable CDPs -- Sold: Musical Fidelity XDAC v3 -- Music Hall MMF CD25 1+ CDP - California Audio Labs Sigma II Tube DAC.
Amps: Singlepower Extreme (canceled order) - WooAudio 6 SE Maxed (in process) - Aphex 204 Aural Exciter (to remove HD650 veil) - Shellbrook Maxi Moy Portable -- Sold: Darkvoice 332 w Svetlana 6S19P-EV & Tung Sol 5654 tubes (superb) - Musical Fidelity X-CANv8 - Musical Fidelity XCAN v3 (with PinkFloyd Mods) - Musical Fidelity X10 v3 Tube Buffer with XPSU v3 - Graham Slee Solo 2007 - WooAudio 3 - Grado RA-1 - Shellbrook Audio Lab Hybrid Head (Millet Hybrid) - Core Audio Tube Buffer - Meier Audio Move.
Phones: Senn HD580 (new version modded & de-veiled) w RAL Senn Cryo-Silver cable - Grado RS-1 - ATH AD2000 - Denon AH D5000 w Markl Mods -- Sold: Bose Tri-Port ("the beginning”) - Senn HD280 Pro - Senn HD600 x2 (old versions) & HD650 x2 (old and new versions) w Cardas, Zu Mobius, Headphile Senn v2 Blacksilver cables - Grado SR125 - Grado SR225 - Grado SR325i - Grado GS-1000.
Accessories: Signal Cable Black Magic PCs x2 - Iron Lung Jellyfish PCs x2 - CT Cryo Silver ICs x6 - Shellbrook Silver Mini IC - RnB Audio Sky Blue Mini IC - Caig Pro Gold - Walker SST - Herbie‘s Tube Dampers.
I use the v3 and I love it. I have the PF mods and run some NOS Westinghouse 6922's that make all the difference.
I use this amp my 701's, my HD650's, and my newly aquired d2000's (with Markl mods). I believe it to be one of the best all around headphone amps out there. I've compared it side by side to both the Woo 3+ and the Woo 6 and stil prefer the MF. Very versatile and a great little amp.
Indeed it is... I miss mine - though the v8 makes up for my loss.
I really liked the Saratov 6H23N-EB's and the Voskhod 6N1P-EB's - both were amazing, actually. The 6N1P-EB's having a just a bit more solid bass, and a bit brighter highs. Never heard the WH 6922's.
__________________ Sources: Marantz SA-8001 SACD/CDP - California Audio Labs Delta Transport - California Audio Labs Alpha Tube DAC - Monarchy Audio M24 Tube DAC - Monarchy Digital Upsampler - Sony Walkman EJ612CK & JD01 Portable CDPs -- Sold: Musical Fidelity XDAC v3 -- Music Hall MMF CD25 1+ CDP - California Audio Labs Sigma II Tube DAC.
Amps: Singlepower Extreme (canceled order) - WooAudio 6 SE Maxed (in process) - Aphex 204 Aural Exciter (to remove HD650 veil) - Shellbrook Maxi Moy Portable -- Sold: Darkvoice 332 w Svetlana 6S19P-EV & Tung Sol 5654 tubes (superb) - Musical Fidelity X-CANv8 - Musical Fidelity XCAN v3 (with PinkFloyd Mods) - Musical Fidelity X10 v3 Tube Buffer with XPSU v3 - Graham Slee Solo 2007 - WooAudio 3 - Grado RA-1 - Shellbrook Audio Lab Hybrid Head (Millet Hybrid) - Core Audio Tube Buffer - Meier Audio Move.
Phones: Senn HD580 (new version modded & de-veiled) w RAL Senn Cryo-Silver cable - Grado RS-1 - ATH AD2000 - Denon AH D5000 w Markl Mods -- Sold: Bose Tri-Port ("the beginning”) - Senn HD280 Pro - Senn HD600 x2 (old versions) & HD650 x2 (old and new versions) w Cardas, Zu Mobius, Headphile Senn v2 Blacksilver cables - Grado SR125 - Grado SR225 - Grado SR325i - Grado GS-1000.
Accessories: Signal Cable Black Magic PCs x2 - Iron Lung Jellyfish PCs x2 - CT Cryo Silver ICs x6 - Shellbrook Silver Mini IC - RnB Audio Sky Blue Mini IC - Caig Pro Gold - Walker SST - Herbie‘s Tube Dampers.
What's the best for me? X-Canv3 / DV332
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