X-CAN v3 or Antique Sound MG Head?

[Territhemayor]

I cant decide between the X-CAN v3s
http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo...umber=MFXCANV3
(Which I hear are very good, a little more expensive, but I feel the quality isn't as much of a gamble as the Antique Sounds) OR the Antique Sound MG heads:
http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo...mber=ASMGHOTL3

I am using two headphones with these, both darth beyers.
For the X-CANS:
Pros:
Great reviews
A safer alternative that I know will be good.
No confusing tubes to mess with.

Cons:
Only one headphone output, which actually is a big problem (since I don't have speakers, and I usually have 2 phones working at once)

You could be wondering why I am even considering the X-cans if I need two phones, I simply dont know what to trust in this field and I haven't found many multichannel amps.

For the Antique Sounds:
Pros:
Uses tubes, which sound great.
Good sounding
Dual channel

Cons:
Uses tubes, complicated and have to be replaced (I dont know much about them)
No individual volume control for both channels, which isn't going to be that bad of a problem, but still a con.

What do you guys think? Right now I'm using the Rolls HA43 (First amp I could buy) and I am willing to spend 500 bucks, maybe a little more on a good headphone amp. I'm really looking for something with two channels at least, like my rolls, but not as crappy, lol.

Also, I'm not sure if I'm ready for tubes, since they have to be replaced, and the tube themselves really affect the sound, so maybe I should stay away from them.
Any amps you guys like and would recommend to me that are dual channel would be much appreciated.

Thanks,
Charlie.

 

[nick20]

Try one of these..

http://www.pacificvalve.us/BPH12.html



Your ears will thank me.. trust me. The vCan is a good product, but like you mentioned, it has 1 headphone out.


This Bada, is probably the best 2 headphone out amps under $500. Lots of Bada owners here, just search for it on here. It's probably not the "giant killer" it's amped to be, but a very good amp nonetheless.

It also uses some great tubes (6SN7) which are readily available, and start at $1 on eBay.


If I had $500 for a headphone amp that required 2 headphone out's, I'd go Bada and never look back.

 

[mrarroyo]

Territhemayor, the X-Can V3 is a hybrid amp. It uses the 6922/6DJ8/ECC88 tube variants in the gain stage and FETs in the output stage.

 

[Territhemayor]

Quote:

Originally Posted by nick20 /img/forum/go_quote.gif If I had $500 for a headphone amp that required 2 headphone out's, I'd go Bada and never look back.

I like the looks of this one, and you say its really good, but it only works with headphones 30 to 60 ohms, while mine are 250 and 80 ohms (Darth Beyers and Luke SkyBeyers)
Would they still be good? And also, are they 1/4th of an inch output?

Thanks,
Charlie
Edit: The website had an error, it was from 30 to 600 ohms. I think I'm going to go with these. How often should I replace the tubes? Do I even have too? Is there anything else I should know about tube amps? This would be my first, so basically anything I would need to know. Burn in? Not supposed to turn off and on? Not supposed to be on all the time? Etc....

 

[nick20]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Territhemayor /img/forum/go_quote.gif I like the looks of this one, and you say its really good, but it only works with headphones 30 to 60 ohms, while mine are 250 and 80 ohms (Darth Beyers and Luke SkyBeyers) Would they still be good? And also, are they 1/4th of an inch output? Thanks, Charlie

It's actually 30 to 600 it's a typo.


This amp would have absolutly no problem driving either or both pairs at the same time.

If you'd like, you can PM DrArthurWells about this amp. Just use the search function, and search for his name, or search for "PH12".

From the personal reviews I have seen, this is an excellent amp, however probably doesn't compete well with amps costing 3 times as much, as it is touted to do. But I don't own either, so I cannot comment any further.


If you go this route, you won't be disappointed.

 

[Territhemayor]

This is from china, will it have any problem plugging into my wall socket? Do I need to buy some sort of converter? I'm getting a little apprehensive about buying these now, I read a bad review, however you say they're good. I'm not sure what to do now, :\
I just want to know everything before I purchase something like this.

 

[nick20]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Territhemayor /img/forum/go_quote.gif This is from china, will it have any problem plugging into my wall socket? Do I need to buy some sort of converter? I'm getting a little apprehensive about buying these now, I read a bad review, however you say they're good. I'm not sure what to do now, :\ I just want to know everything before I purchase something like this.

Which review was that? And if an item has about 10 + reviews and 1 - you're going to think it's not worthy?

I'm curious what source, and headphones you chose, because I can guarantee you there's going to be more than 1 "bad review"...

Second, define "bad review" in this case..



There's lots of owners here..



And no, these are brand new "export" versions, US 110V ready. In China they make domestic (220v or whatever) and export versions of the same product. This is an export version. As is everything from Pacific Valve.

EDIT: If you click on the pictures, especially the one showing the back, it says 110v by the area where the power cord goes (far left).

 

[Territhemayor]

I just ordered one, with extra tubes for future replacements, so I hope it's good. A lot of people say they're really good, I just wasn't sure, I think I made the right choice. Thanks for all your help. I'm going to be using these from my x-fi soundcard, and with darth beyers, 250 and 80 ohms.
Thanks,
Charlie

 

[nick20]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Territhemayor /img/forum/go_quote.gif I just ordered one, with extra tubes for future replacements, so I hope it's good. A lot of people say they're really good, I just wasn't sure, I think I made the right choice. Thanks for all your help. I'm going to be using these from my x-fi soundcard, and with darth beyers, 250 and 80 ohms. Thanks, Charlie

I can say, without actually owning this unit, it is one of the items, I'd recommend. And I don't do this unless I have experience with a product.


I have researched this amp, heard from various owners (through PM) about the headsets used, (same or similar to mine, or the headphones I WILL be trying). I would have gotten this instead of the Bada, but when a owner buys one of these, they normally don't sell it, therefore you very rarely see them for sale.



Just FYI, this amp does better with "after-market" tubes.. ie. the tubes you probably bought (Tung-Sol) are a good start. There's TONS of these out there, and lots of options out there for you. Just ask/search around here, you will find what you're looking for.

Second, when changing the tubes, it's best to leave the amp OFF for 24 hours before swapping out the tubes. That way all electricity has been discharged..

I would get a SOLID listen with the stock tubes first, so you get a good idea of what it sounds like. 6SN7 tubes are great tubes, and they will improve the SQ of this amp; to what degree determines what tubes you select ultimately.

 

[MrLA]

if u really want tube amp i would say go for MG-HEAD, but X-CAN V3 with PinkFloyd mod sound very refined though not so tuby like MG-Head.

 

[Territhemayor]

I bought also these other tubes, Electro Harmonix 6SN7, i bought 4 but they will come in like 4 weeks.
How often should I change the tubes?

 

[nick20]

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrLA /img/forum/go_quote.gif if u really want tube amp i would say go for MG-HEAD, but X-CAN V3 with PinkFloyd mod sound very refined though not so tuby like MG-Head.

Hmm.. The Bada is a tube amp as well.. if you click the link, you will see 3 sitting right on top.

 

[Gradofan2]

I've been tempted by the BADA, because the reviews make it sound so good... but, I've always been concerned about resale limitations - since it has a rep for running hot, blown mosfets, and... not driving Grados well.

If you're only going to use headphones with 45+ ohm impedence, you'd love the Darkvoice 332 - few better for <$1,000+... and so inexpensive at ~$400 shipped. It makes Senns sound like Grados (almost)! Likely great with Beyers.

But... if you want to stick with your first selections, which may be easier to resell, than these others - the XCAN v3 is versatile with phones, sounds great, and is relatively easy to resell. It's especially great with the PinkFloyd mods.

And... the ASL is likely very good with multiple phones also, probably easier to resell, and has both OTL and OT modes. It will likely sound a bit more "tubey" than the XCAN v3, which sounds a bit more like warm SS. It gets pretty good comments on Headfi - though the older units had some reliability issues and a slight bit of noise, not reported in the latest units.

If I were sticking with higher impedence phones, I'd be getting the DV 332, but If I wanted dual jacks, I'd go with the ASL. And... the plus is you have 30 days to try it out, or return it to Audio Advisor.

If you don't mind the resale risk, and a very hot running amp, which you have to "handle with care" to avoid blown mosfets - you might try the Bada from Pacific Valve. It reportedly sounds great with high impedence phones... and you can also can try it for 30 days, and return it to PV if you don't like it. You could even get both, try them and return the one you don't like.

But... the ASL... will likely be the lowest risk - if you want a "tubey" sound and dual jacks.

 

[nick20]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gradofan2 /img/forum/go_quote.gif If you don't mind the resale risk, and a very hot running amp, which you have to "handle with care" to avoid blown mosfets - you might try the Bada from Pacific Valve. It reportedly sounds great with high impedence phones... and you can also can try it for 30 days, and return it to PV if you don't like it. You could even get both, try them and return the one you don't like.

If you allow 24 hours between each tube swap, you will have 0 (zero) problems with the mosfets. If you try and change your tubes a few hours after, that's when the problems can arise.

The Bada is a great performer from low impendence phones (70 ohms) to headphones in the hundreds.


I know quite a few users with the Bada and Sony SA5000 headphones, which are 70 ohm. The synergy is perfect..



And what tube amp ISN'T hot? My Darkvoice gets hot, I would not want to touch it. I can put my hands around it, and feel it's warmth.



I think both are low-risk options. You would have no trouble selling the Bada, at any point, and in fact may sell in a few hours. I have seen strong interest in a dead Bada.. now that says something. I'm not sure why you would want to do this, but if you wanted to upgrade, or whatever, I'll be the first in line to get my hands on this.

 

[Gradofan2]

Quote:

Originally Posted by nick20 /img/forum/go_quote.gif If you allow 24 hours between each tube swap, you will have 0 (zero) problems with the mosfets. If you try and change your tubes a few hours after, that's when the problems can arise. The Bada is a great performer from low impendence phones (70 ohms) to headphones in the hundreds. I know quite a few users with the Bada and Sony SA5000 headphones, which are 70 ohm. The synergy is perfect.. And what tube amp ISN'T hot? My Darkvoice gets hot, I would not want to touch it. I can put my hands around it, and feel it's warmth. I think both are low-risk options. You would have no trouble selling the Bada, at any point, and in fact may sell in a few hours. I have seen strong interest in a dead Bada.. now that says something. I'm not sure why you would want to do this, but if you wanted to upgrade, or whatever, I'll be the first in line to get my hands on this.

Hey... that's your answer... let "nick20" buy the BADA for you to try out... and if you don't like it... send it back to him - "a heck of a deal!"

And... you can get the ASL to use for the days you're waiting to allow your BADA to "cool down" (bleed off) - so you can swap your tubes - that way you get the best of both worlds!

My DV 332 is "cool as a cucumber" - not hot at all (slightly warm) - so "all tube amps do not run hot," requiring cooling fans, as the BADA does. Some owners have even cut additional vents, or upgraded the fans, or proped their BADA's up to improve ventilation - the amp runs hot!

Oh yes... and it does not drive Grados (low impedence phones).