[rgame666]

I have been looking at other X-Components.....but I think I should really bnuy a CD Player first!!!

And I cannot seem to find an X-Ray second hand.

The search continues!!!!

 

[muzikk]

While you are at it don't forget the X-feed cossfeed from pinkie. The effect makes me very curious and am on my way ordering one.

 

[Sandro]

Yeah, real time chatting like forum here!

I did'nt saw any other X-series in Sevenoaks, I know a few X-PSU are still available new in some dealers, but rare.

elrod tom, I'll purchase a better power suply (or the x-psu), but for now, I'm happy without it.
I think the X-PSU is not very cheap, almost the same price of the X-Can for "only" a current transformer, perhaps I'm going to make a copy of the X-PSU, as in the Pinkie site. Great idea, for a fraction of the price and the same performance... I'm not decided yet...

The best would be to find a second hand X-PSU, yeah, but in Belgium we don't have a lot of X-series users, so the second hand are rare, never saw any second hand x-component here.

I think the caps upgrade is a good one, but I'm afraid of doing the work by myself... I don't know a thing about electronics and my solder capabilities are fairly average... I would prefer easier upgrades, like tubes and PSU.

And don't tell my mum about the X-Can continuous current consumption... I keep it on day and night...

All the best,

Sandro

 

[ddriveman]

Sandro,

Congratulations ! Glad you are enjoying your new X-Cans. I would suggest upgrading the power supply before tube rolling (to get th full beneit of better tubes).
You don't need the expensive X-PSU. In the recent Dec issue of Stereophile, Sam Tellig reviewed the X-Cans V2 favourably and he used a power supply made by Ault, Inc for US$9.95 plus shipping. Can be ordered at www.hofelt.com.
As for tube rolling, I suggest Siemens 6922 ahead of the Mullards.

 

[bootman]

The X-PSU makes sence if you are planning to get more x-gear in the future.
I had the v2 with the psu and some JJ tubes as my first head-fi setup two years ago
and they sounded wonderful out of the 580s.
Some of the best midrange that I have heard so far.
The magic between the x-can and senn 600/580 is not a fluke.
The 600 was used to voice (fine tune) the x-can when it was first designed.
If you can find a used x-ray in good condition snap it up.
They will mate very together.

Good luck.

 

[graphor]

I cannot find www.hofelt.com..

 

[Sandro]

Ddriveman,

don't you think the best upgrade would be to change the tubes first? I mean if I change the power suply and keep my actual tubes, I would still have the same "type" of sound, with better bass response isn't it?
And if I change the tubes first, I would have a better sound in every frequencies, but the bass would be still a little "bloooooop".
Am I wrong?

Do you know the price of Siemens tubes? I think they are very expensive ones...

And thank you for the information about "Ault" power supplies, but I can't find "hofelt.com", as graphor.

Bootman,

Wat is an "X-ray"? For now I don't know if I would buy other x-components, the next big step for my wallet will be a Sony ES MD recorder, or a DAT (but if I finaly buy a DAT, I would have to re-record my MD collection into DAT tapes... and I have about 70 minidiscs... and the price of a DAT deck is not cheap... I have to decide myself about that dilemma).
Thanks for your account about X-can v2 and hd600-580 !

All the best,

Sandro.

 

[ddriveman]

Sandro, Graphor,

My apologies for my poor typing skills. The website is: www.hosfelt.com. The power supply that Sam Tellig used is Ault 12V AC @ 4.5 amps, part # 56-821. You can find it at the website.

Sandro,

Its true that you can still get the benefits of a better tube with the stock wallwart but given that you can get a better power supply for a small amount, I feel its a better first step and it would also help you reveal the true capabilities of the stock X-Cans before you embark on your tube rolling journey. Note also that if you replace the standard 6922 (E88CC) with 6DJ8 (ECC88) or 7308 (E188CC), the latter tubes draw more current and runs hotter. Hence, a stronger power supply would be needed. As you will find, there are many good NOS 6DJ8 that sound great and would work well for the X-Cans V2.

The Siemens 6922 is no more expensive than the Mullards and is not so difficult to find. However, prices for NOS tubes somewhat depends on luck. They can always be had for a high price but you may be able to find a good bargain esepcially if theyare used.

 

[ddriveman]

Sandro,

Here is an extract from Sam Tellig's review in Dec 2002 issue of Stereophile on X-Cans V2:

"Do upgrade the power supply. Its like giving the X-Cans V2 a dose of Viagra. The Ault unit made a significant difference in sound quality, provided a more detailed, dynamic, and effortless sound. The little wall wart tended to diminish things by comparison, especially shrinking the illusion of space."

Now, wouldn't you want to give your X-Cans a dose of Viagra ?!

Note that Sam did not roll the tubes.

BTW, I do have the MSF X-Ray CD player and do agree with Bootman that they make a fine combination which can be further upgraded by adding a MSF A3-24 upsampling DAC (which I did). High End Head-Fi just sucks up your money...

 

[graphor]

Just a simple question.. Ault 12V AC @ 4.5 amps seems the output current is 4.5 A, which is 9 times higher than the original wallwart's output (0.5A). Is it ok for X-can?

 

[Duncan]

Graphor...

Yes, the amp will only take as much current as it needs... that is why the thrown in PSU runs hot, because its being asked for more than it can handle...

With that much power on tap, the X-Can will be happy, and the PSU should hopefully run cold

 

[mail4u]

Be careful up with these adapter upgrades. I got the Ault adapter and noticed the X-can ran noticably hotter. Somewhere else a person mentioned he burnt out his amp with an upgrade like this. I've stopped using the adapter for the time being. However, it does improve the sound.

By the way it was highly recommended in these forums upgrading the adapter for the ART D/IO. I followed it and now the ART is dead. Caused by too much current? I dunno.

 

[ddriveman]

I have the X-PSU and with it the X-Cans runs hotter than with the stock walwart. I attribute this to the fact that the tubes are able to draw more current duirng loud music passages using the X-PSU whihc is one reason why they sound better with a better power supply. I have also rolled the stock 6922 tubes to 6DJ8 tubes whihc draw more current and subsequentially run even hotter. No problems so far. In general, I would not be overaly concern about the X-Cans casing run warm/hot to the touch. All tube amp generate heat and the X-Cans casing is suppose to act as a heatsink.

 

[Sandro]

Yeah ddriveman, thanks for your explanation about the importance of the PSU, now I understand, and I believe you're right...

But as mail4u said, I'm afraid of the QUALITY of a "cheap" and high current transformer. I've searched other threads and found this "Pinkie" post about our issue:


Pinkie said:

"Then whatever you do, do not use a Musical Fidelity X-PSU power supply if you don't like high current as its transformer ia a 12V AC / 80VA toroidal.

The amp will only draw the current it needs.. it won't be fed with any current it hasn't asked for.

Was the Hosfelt adaptor the 12 VAC @ 4.5 AMP one at $7.95? I wouldn't like to imagine what's inside its case at that price but you can rest assured it won't be the best of quality.

You say the resistors are burnt out. Is the adaptor still working and, if so, have you measured the exact voltage it's producing?

There's no point in saying to stick with the MF wallwart just because you've used a cheap replacement which wasn't up to the job. As previously mentioned the X-PSU is an 80 VA toroidal so high current doesn't enter the equation.

If you're going to use an alternative power supply then try to buy something that's of good quality. I have built a psu for the X-cans which you can see here http://freespace.virgin.net/rock.grotto look for the "power supply unit" link.

Hope you manage to get your amp fixed ok

All the best
Pinkie"



To read the thread in his context, it's

here .




I think Pinkie is right about the quality of a power suply, a good transformer is absolutely needed to feed the X-can in complete safety, with no risk to definitively damage it. I would be afraid in pluging a poor quality transformer into my new amp...

Sandro.

 

[ddriveman]

Sandro,

I too agree with Pinkie. A good quality, power supply is a better option. I have X_pSU but the price is too high for what you get. If you can build a power supply ala Pinkie, its the best choice. My point is that the stock MSF walwart is also low quality and low output current and no better than the Ault device