Introducing XIaudio (Eleven Audio) Broadway and Broadway S.

[Tom Blake]

Thanks! I have the Panasonic NCR 18650B (MH122210) installed in the Broadway. I just ordered some of the LG HG2 Browns recommended by hikaru12. Hopefully that solves it!

 

[hikaru12]

Thanks. I will try that email address as well. Did you have to ship it to China for service? Do you have a link the to the LG Browns batteries? Thanks so much!!

For the batteries - seems like Vape Stores seem to carry it which can be cumbersome. The original store I bought it from doesn’t carry it anymore but here’s the link to another place: https://www.centralvapors.com/lg-hg2-18650/

 

[makan]

Thanks! I have the Panasonic NCR 18650B (MH122210) installed in the Broadway. I just ordered some of the LG HG2 Browns recommended by hikaru12. Hopefully that solves it!

I had the LG ones as well…sadly, I just sold the Broadway a week ago…odd amp out of the multiple amps I had. All the best with the troubleshooting.

 

[Tom Blake]

I found the centralvapors.com link as well and ordered a set from them. Price not too bad.

 

[Tom Blake]

I got a nice reply from Shiny at XI Audio. He missed my original email. Looks like it is bad batteries. All my batteries read below 3 VDC with one being almost 0. I didn't realize my unit was unplugged from power, which apparently ruins them if high voltage is not applied for an extended period. Lesson learned. Looks like this was operator error rather than a reliability issue with the amp, assuming the new set of LG HG2's fixes this. I did also confirm that JPS/Abyss can service XI Audio products for those of us in the US. Thanks for all the help above.

 

[Tom Blake]

Confirming new batteries solved my issue. The Broadway sounds amazing as usual with Diana TC's

I just hope the brown HG2 batteries I received are genuine (bought from centralvapors.com). I have heard counterfeits of this battery are a problem. The ones I received have no LG branding on them, but come in nice brown boxes with model # INR18650HG2 20A 3.7V. There is an imprinted warning on the battery to not use in e-cigs and a silver sticker with model #. Definitely looks different than HG2 pics I see on the web. The extensive warning on the box has no typos which is a good sign they may be genuine. Anyone know a source for confirmed genuine HG2 batteries? Would like to order a set of spares.

 

[Tom Blake]

The "HG2" batteries I received only played for about 3 hours from a full charge before the Broadway died. Doesn't seem right as I believe Broadway is supposed to play for about 6 hours on a full charge. I really don't want to use counterfeit batteries in this expensive amp. Any thoughts on recommended battery sourcing? Thanks!

 

[Tom Blake]

Here are pics of the batteries I received after removing the stickers. They look more legit after that. Still concerned they only lasted about 3 hours though.

 

[hikaru12]

Here are pics of the batteries I received after removing the stickers. They look more legit after that. Still concerned they only lasted about 3 hours though.

I had the same happen in my amp - it might be they're not the same capacity as the original amp batteries (3400mAh at 4.87V).

In other news, upgrading the interconnects into this amp really revealed a sense of smoothness and detail that surpassed even my Pendant tube amp which upgraded tubes. It was an amazing surprise to be honest. I might try messing around with high gain again to see if that improves microdetail but so far at 4 o clock it's great.

 

[tinny]

Have y'all had any reliability issues outside of changing the batteries? Is there any suggested non-battery solution?

 

[GiullianSN]

I had the same happen in my amp - it might be they're not the same capacity as the original amp batteries (3400mAh at 4.87V).

In other news, upgrading the interconnects into this amp really revealed a sense of smoothness and detail that surpassed even my Pendant tube amp which upgraded tubes. It was an amazing surprise to be honest. I might try messing around with high gain again to see if that improves microdetail but so far at 4 o clock it's great.

I have been really impressed with mine while using IEMs recently. It is great and smooth. Incredible, no hiss (with the right chain…)

 

[maii]

Hi, I’ve read that the Broadway is comparable to the Cayin C9 in terms of sound quality, with a slightly wider soundstage, but with the new C9II so maybe it's slightly better than the broadway. What do you all think?

I found a brand-new Broadway balanced for $1,428 and a slightly used C9II for $2,000. I plan to use them with my Meze Empyrean and possibly bring them to work for travel listening at hotels.

I’ve tested the Broadway with the Meze Empyrean and a PEF21 crystal cable, and it sounds incredibly good. I’m wondering if the extra $500 for the more portable C9II is worth it, especially if the sound quality is on par with or slightly better than the Broadway. If so, I would consider the C9II.

Thank you for your advice!