[EFN]

Yeah. I think mrarroyo deserves a huge thanks from us. Imagine Dr. Xin doing all the dev himself - it will be just before doomsday that he's be able to finalize the amps LOL

 

[Quaddy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by PhaedrusX /img/forum/go_quote.gif according to recent emails from Dr. Xin, version B will now become the standard default version, replacing both the original and version A. version C will sound similar, but with a slight increase in power. version D will have the most power, but will use a different chip-set that sounds less "tube-like" than the other versions. of course, given Xin's capricious nature, season all information with salt. hope this helps anyone still trying to untangle this web.

be nice if there was somewhere he posted the fact that D was less tubey, if that is indeed the case, instead of solely broadcasting that upon request in a private email, if he has stated that publicly i havent seen it.

 

[ed lynch]

Thanks mrarroyo, its good to know his new standard version of the reference amp will be up and running shortly, i think most people waiting for orig version will be heartened with the news of even better sound, once again thank you for your patience and time evaluating all those amps, so maybe if i leave my original order in place i my still receive someday a good sounding unit,ed

 

[tha_dude]

Quote:

Originally Posted by PhaedrusX /img/forum/go_quote.gif according to recent emails from Dr. Xin, version B will now become the standard default version, replacing both the original and version A. version C will sound similar, but with a slight increase in power. version D will have the most power, but will use a different chip-set that sounds less "tube-like" than the other versions. of course, given Xin's capricious nature, season all information with salt. hope this helps anyone still trying to untangle this web.

I'm assuming that the B and C versions are the B3 and C3 versions that Miguel is currently evaluating?

Any word on the Home Edition?

 

[ed lynch]

Hello myarro Does it really mean we can expect his xin latest version unit to receive sorry if im repeiting myself and waiting i think i look happy in waiting hopefully it could be, ed

 

[ed lynch]

I THINK MYSELF SOMETHING MIGHT HAPPEND SHORTLY FOR ALL VERSIONS SHORTLY YOURS ED,

 

[mrarroyo]

I exchanged emails a couple of days ago w/ Dr. Xin. He was a bit cryptic, and it sounded like the tweaking was about to end for the Reference. However do not quote me, it was a very succinct email.

On a different end the C3 is sounding mighty nice! Next Saturday I may be able to meet w/ vorlon1 and go over a few portable amps.

 

[Quaddy]

heres a nice little selfish post pertaining to my own circumstances....

i am in the uk and placed order in august 07 for contextual purposes.

at the time ordered the reference its price equated to £137/$279.99 approx

now it equates to £197 approx

differential of £60/$85 approx

at the time i ordered a supermicro at $169.99 it equated to £83 approx

now it equates to £120 approx

difference of £37/$52 approx

as i ordered two supermicros and one reference i am now paying £134/$190 approx more on my purchases

so to look at in one way i get charged £134/$190 for the pleasure of waiting circa 2 years for items

in other words you dont end up paying what you checkout with at that time.

those prices arent even including deivery and case options etc

no point in anyone chiming in saying you can always cancel, or xin could have increased his price also to meet the financial tide, i am aware of that and i accept what i describe above, i just wanted to air that side of things, rather than the amp technology itself.

thanks.

 

[dazzer1975]

Exactly the same position as you, I am waiting for a reference, a macro and a supermicro.

Seriously thinking of sending the email to cancel.

Especially considering I am happy with my portable amps and would rather buy another pico, voyager and iqube v2 when that arrives.

The new prices means the xin amps can't compete imo.

 

[mackay maus]

I feel your pain. I ordered my reference when the CAD dollar was at par with the USD. Now its less than 80 cents.

 

[nc8000]

This is one situation where the much debated payPal payment would have been preferable provided the amps ever ship

 

[Gatsu]

When I ordered mine the US$ was around AUS$0.97 so I ordered via paypal.
I have cursed myself a number of times since then. Now I'm back to wondering if maybe I did the right thing.

 

[BigTony]

Maybe the credit crunch will be over by the time the amps ship....

 

[DennyL]

Quote:

Originally Posted by dazzer1975 /img/forum/go_quote.gif The new prices means the xin amps can't compete imo.

I don't agree with this. The price of the Reference is roughly the same as a Tomahawk and cheaper than a Headamp AE-2. When I heard a Reference I thought it was outstanding, and on a par with some home amps, and according to Mrarroyo there has been further improvement in SQ. Many believe that Dr Xin has a good ear when it comes to sound quality. We can reasonably hope that the Reference will be one of the best-sounding portable amps, having a good battery life and the possibility fo 1/4" jack sockets, which is unique in portables.

I'm in the UK and for me the price has gone from £150 to £210. This is still not a bad price for what I expect the Reference to be, if I ever see one. I'm keeping my order in and crossing my fingers.

 

[nc8000]

Quote:

Originally Posted by dazzer1975 /img/forum/go_quote.gif The new prices means the xin amps can't compete imo.

Exactly as DennyL says, Xin's price in dollars hasn't changed so is still in the same place compared to other US manufacturers so the only valid comparison would be to compare with something from your own country in your local currency like Graham Slee amps. Your problem in UK is that the pound has plumeted even more than the dollar. In Euros the Xin amp (and all dollar amps) are actually slightly cheaper than they were 18 months ago and in Denmark the exchange rate (I think) is back at about what it was 18 months ago (but has been a lot lower so if shipped about 3-6 months ago would have been a lot cheaper than 18 months ago) so no price change at all. This is what always happens when you deal in currencies. It still sucks that it has taken so long though.