DX200/220 Amp8, MAX and other EX modifications

[Whitigir]

Clean!! Awesome!!

 

[edwardsean]

AMP8EX-P2 Completed for a fellow headfier this eve, sounds very nice

@Nayparm. This is awesome! How do you like the sound of this EX-P version?

What makes it EX-P2? How is different from the EX-P(1) modification I outlined in the build post?

 

[Nayparm]

@Nayparm. This is awesome! How do you like the sound of this EX-P version?

What makes it EX-P2? How is different from the EX-P(1) modification I outlined in the build post?

Ah that must be my misinterpretation there is no difference, I was assuming there was an Amp8EX-P v1 after seeing Amp8EX-P v2 mod (The Elna-edition)

It sounds very good, only had a short session as it was late when I did the mod after getting the kids in bed, listened to it on my dx150 (which I bought in to test the mod and repair of 2 AMP8s but plan to EX mod the 150 and perform another dac upgrade)
I like how the amp9 sounds on the 150 too

 

[docentore]

Ah that must be my misinterpretation there is no difference, I was assuming there was an Amp8EX-P v1 after seeing Amp8EX-P v2 mod (The Elna-edition)

It sounds very good, only had a short session as it was late when I did the mod after getting the kids in bed, listened to it on my dx150 (which I bought in to test the mod and repair of 2 AMP8s but plan to EX mod the 150 and perform another dac upgrade)
I like how the amp9 sounds on the 150 too

Interested in the DAC upgrade in the DX150. I assume its the AK4493? Have you done one before? Are they drop-in replacement? I'd appreciate some info on it.
Thanks.

 

[Nayparm]

Interested in the DAC upgrade in the DX150. I assume its the AK4493? Have you done one before? Are they drop-in replacement? I'd appreciate some info on it.
Thanks.

Yeah, I did one before for someome but it will be more beneficial to also perform an EX upgrade

Almost drop in, see this post above in this thread

https://www.head-fi.org/threads/dx200-220-amp8-amp1-ex-modifications.898918/post-15107033

 

[docentore]

Yeah, I did one before for someome but it will be more beneficial to also perform an EX upgrade

Almost drop in, see this post above in this thread

https://www.head-fi.org/threads/dx200-220-amp8-amp1-ex-modifications.898918/post-15107033

Thanks, actually found that post few minutes after posting my question but I was dragged of the subject to do some work and forgot to edit

by "to also perform the EX upgrade" you mean the EX upgr on AMP8, not DX150, right? Because I haven't seen or found on the DX150-EX upgrade.
I'm planning to do the AMP8EX first for sure, just waiting for the module to arrive then going to order parts.

Just wondering if the DAC IC swap is worth it, I mean if it's noticeable change. I don't have such worries about the ex mod on the amp module.

 

[Nayparm]

Thanks, actually found that post few minutes after posting my question but I was dragged of the subject to do some work and forgot to edit

by "to also perform the EX upgrade" you mean the EX upgr on AMP8, not DX150, right? Because I haven't seen or found on the DX150-EX upgrade.
I'm planning to do the AMP8EX first for sure, just waiting for the module to arrive then going to order parts.

Just wondering if the DAC IC swap is worth it, I mean if it's noticeable change. I don't have such worries about the ex mod on the amp module.

No worries, I mean an equivalent EX mod to the DX150 main board similar to what Whitiger did to the DX200, LDOs, Kemet KO caps etc to take more advantage of the AK4493 upgrade. And also EX on AMP8/9

 

[docentore]

Thanks, seems like I need to look for another DX150 or DX220

 

[linux4ever]

I got a DX220EX with AMP8-EX-FE. DX220EX is undergoing a burn-in and is getting close to 500 hrs. I remember whitigir mentioning 550 hrs burn-in. The bass is a little boosted still. Looks like I've to EQ it or use AMP4 or AMP4S with it and see how it sounds.

Also I've AMP8W (The original whitigir mod on AMP8 done by whitigir himself). Would love to convert that to AMP-EX-P. Would anybody be interested to do it for me? I'm in US and can ship it to Europe too. Thanks!

 

[mikejazz]

A question---I just ordered the 220 and was thinking of getting either the Amp7 or Amp8 and find someone to modify it. My question is---I use the Tansio Mirai Zodiac (super efficient) and the Audeze LCD i3 (20 ohms 110db) ---so I don't need a lot of power. And both of my good cables are 3.5mm. Would there be an advantage to the 8 over the 7?
I'm in Chicago and would love to find someone to mod the 220 and (whichever) amp module. Shipping to wherever is no problem. I'm a professional jazz bassist and have a business designing and manufacturing high end speakers for bass players. I'm fine at wiring crossovers. I've even populated boards for a HPF I'm using in powered cabs. I've got my nice Hakko solder station. But I suck at removing components from tightly-packed boards. So--I'm willing to pay someone who is better at it!

 

[Whitigir]

A question---I just ordered the 220 and was thinking of getting either the Amp7 or Amp8 and find someone to modify it. My question is---I use the Tansio Mirai Zodiac (super efficient) and the Audeze LCD i3 (20 ohms 110db) ---so I don't need a lot of power. And both of my good cables are 3.5mm. Would there be an advantage to the 8 over the 7?
I'm in Chicago and would love to find someone to mod the 220 and (whichever) amp module. Shipping to wherever is no problem. I'm a professional jazz bassist and have a business designing and manufacturing high end speakers for bass players. I'm fine at wiring crossovers. I've even populated boards for a HPF I'm using in powered cabs. I've got my nice Hakko solder station. But I suck at removing components from tightly-packed boards. So--I'm willing to pay someone who is better at it!

I think @edwardsean is close to you ? Not sure

 

[Nayparm]

I got a DX220EX with AMP8-EX-FE. DX220EX is undergoing a burn-in and is getting close to 500 hrs. I remember whitigir mentioning 550 hrs burn-in. The bass is a little boosted still. Looks like I've to EQ it or use AMP4 or AMP4S with it and see how it sounds.

Also I've AMP8W (The original whitigir mod on AMP8 done by whitigir himself). Would love to convert that to AMP-EX-P. Would anybody be interested to do it for me? I'm in US and can ship it to Europe too. Thanks!

AMP8EX-P is really only for the V5 board of the AMP8 but I'm guessing your AMP8W is probably a V3.

I've just done an AMP8EX-P for another headfier a few posts above. I'm in the UK.

 

[Layman1]

A question---I just ordered the 220 and was thinking of getting either the Amp7 or Amp8 and find someone to modify it. My question is---I use the Tansio Mirai Zodiac (super efficient) and the Audeze LCD i3 (20 ohms 110db) ---so I don't need a lot of power. And both of my good cables are 3.5mm. Would there be an advantage to the 8 over the 7?
I'm in Chicago and would love to find someone to mod the 220 and (whichever) amp module. Shipping to wherever is no problem. I'm a professional jazz bassist and have a business designing and manufacturing high end speakers for bass players. I'm fine at wiring crossovers. I've even populated boards for a HPF I'm using in powered cabs. I've got my nice Hakko solder station. But I suck at removing components from tightly-packed boards. So--I'm willing to pay someone who is better at it!

If you don't mind shipping to UK, @Nayparm modded my AMP8 for me previously (as well as buying some things from me in a separate transaction).
Totally trustworthy, great service and great sounding mods. Highly recommended

 

[mikejazz]

cool-thanks! any other comments on the amp7? I assume it's mod-able as I saw that another guy did it. It's just that I have easy-to-drive cans and already have 3.5mm cables. Sonic differences with balanced?

 

[linux4ever]

AMP8EX-P is really only for the V5 board of the AMP8 but I'm guessing your AMP8W is probably a V3.

I've just done an AMP8EX-P for another headfier a few posts above. I'm in the UK.

How do I know if my AMP8W has V3 board or V5 board?