x can v8 appreciation thread

[john53]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gradofan2 /img/forum/go_quote.gif I was not impressed with the the DAC in the two v8s I had. I have no idea why... but... they just didn't seem to sound anywhere near as good as my conventional CDP/DACs, which do not use my PC as a source.

Maybe this is because you have very good sources(i saw them in your rig inventory)
But to be honest,i've never tried the internal dac of the v8,maybe it's a cheap/simple one.

 

[aaldrich]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gradofan2 /img/forum/go_quote.gif I was not impressed with the the DAC in the two v8s I had. I have no idea why... but... they just didn't seem to sound anywhere near as good as my conventional CDP/DACs, which do not use my PC as a source.

1) Thanks for replying, your time is appreciated and your opinions will be considered as you were very polite (which is about the only thing you can't get for free on the internet).
2) By 'sound as good' do you mean that you had a harder time separating instruments?
3) I don't think there is such a thing as a 'better' type of source (ie there may be bad vinyls, bad mp3s and badly mastered CDs alike as well as excellent examples of all 3). In what way were you not impressed? Did you feel that the DAC missed out on some particular details? Were there certain frequencies left feeling a bit weak? Was bass not tight or did the highs not sing? Rather was it the case that the instruments did not feel so easily distinguished/separated?
4) Did you feel you had issues with PRaT, an accusation often levelled at Musical Fidelity goods?

 

[Gradofan2]

Quote:

Originally Posted by aaldrich /img/forum/go_quote.gif 1) Thanks for replying, your time is appreciated and your opinions will be considered as you were very polite (which is about the only thing you can't get for free on the internet). 2) By 'sound as good' do you mean that you had a harder time separating instruments? 3) I don't think there is such a thing as a 'better' type of source (ie there may be bad vinyls, bad mp3s and badly mastered CDs alike as well as excellent examples of all 3). In what way were you not impressed? Did you feel that the DAC missed out on some particular details? Were there certain frequencies left feeling a bit weak? Was bass not tight or did the highs not sing? Rather was it the case that the instruments did not feel so easily distinguished/separated? 4) Did you feel you had issues with PRaT, an accusation often levelled at Musical Fidelity goods?

As I best recall... it was about "all of the above."

And... I don't know that it was just related to the DAC. The disk drive in the PC is nothing but a cheap drive, which just doesn't compare to a good CDP, or transport (i.e. materials, construction, not as stable, etc.). I was just trying it with the PC used as a transport. I didn't try it with anything on the hard drive - that likely made a big difference.

It's been about a year since I had mine, so its hard to recall the details, other than it was "just bad." Though, I do recall the signal was very weak.

Probably best to check with someone who has the unit currently.

 

[ting.mike]

I actually am quite curious about the V8 as well.. however you guys are just talking about "improved this" and "improved that" without actually comparing it to other amps in the price range.

Can a comparison be made between the V8 with other amps?

Thanks.

 

[Gradofan2]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ting.mike /img/forum/go_quote.gif I actually am quite curious about the V8 as well.. however you guys are just talking about "improved this" and "improved that" without actually comparing it to other amps in the price range. Can a comparison be made between the V8 with other amps? Thanks.

Do a search... of the v8 threads, and the D2000, D5000, D7000 Threads. You'll find lots of comments that explain.

The "bottom line" is for the US version - its great with low impedance phones - possibly the best amp it its price range... but... not for high impedance phones. Too much to repeat.

 

[Quinto]

Same in Europe btw

 

[john53]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quinto /img/forum/go_quote.gif Same in Europe btw

Some people (like me) really like the x can v8-sennheiser combo,so it's better people who own senns to have a listen first and then decide for themselves.(i'm from greece-europe)

 

[john53]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ting.mike /img/forum/go_quote.gif I actually am quite curious about the V8 as well.. however you guys are just talking about "improved this" and "improved that" without actually comparing it to other amps in the price range. Can a comparison be made between the V8 with other amps? Thanks.

When i was searching for a headphone amp,i tested a few amps,but not so many popular models i see around here.
I had listened to the following amps over the years:creek obh 11(too forward and aggressive for my tastes and not very refined,a little harsh),vincent khv 111 hybrid tube amp(a little coloured sound when compared to the v8 and not so refined/detailed and open soundstage),ergo amp1(a very bad match for the senns,no mids to talk about)
I've also listened to a symphonic line integrated amp(with expensive sources-interconnects) and it had very good dynamics,soundstage,details,imaging but i think that xcan v8 with same sources-interconnects would be even better.

I also plan to test the following amps in the future:Cayin ha 1a,naim headline ii,graham slee amps.(only for the experience,i like my v8 with my hd 600 and i don't plan to buy another amp)

I would also like to test some more "audiophile" amps like zana deux,woo audio amps,luxman p1-p200 but it's a little difficult here in greece.

 

[Gradofan2]

Quote:

Originally Posted by john53 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Some people (like me) really like the x can v8-sennheiser combo,so it's better people who own senns to have a listen first and then decide for themselves.(i'm from greece-europe)

Yeah... as we've discussed... most of the folks with the EU version of the v8 seem to like its sound with Senns (maybe a few exceptions).

I don't know why, there's such a disparity in experiences with the v8... other... than the possibility that the EU version performs better with the 240v mains power, than the US version with the 120v mains power.

But... there seems to be a huge difference (e.g. about a 30%+ difference in power / gain with Senns).

 

[john53]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gradofan2 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Yeah... as we've discussed... most of the folks with the EU version of the v8 seem to like its sound with Senns (maybe a few exceptions). I don't know why, there's such a disparity in experiences with the v8... other... than the possibility that the EU version performs better with the 240v mains power, than the US version with the 120v mains power. But... there seems to be a huge difference (e.g. about a 30%+ difference in power / gain with Senns).

Gradofan2,

I think that there must be a problem with some x can v8's out there.If i pass 11.30-12.00 it gets very loud.

Gradofan2,how old are you?I'm 27.
I'm asking because after some years,headphone listening can cause hearing problems.
The same question goes to Quinto,too.

Gradofan 2,something else,please check "a question to all hd 600 owners"thread(and for all 580/650 owners too)which i've posted a few days ago(headphone forum),you may be able to help me.

 

[Gradofan2]

Quote:

Originally Posted by john53 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Gradofan2, I think that there must be a problem with some x can v8's out there.If i pass 11.30-12.00 it gets very loud. Gradofan2,how old are you?I'm 27. I'm asking because after some years,headphone listening can cause hearing problems. The same question goes to Quinto,too. Gradofan 2,something else,please check "a question to all hd 600 owners"thread(and for all 580/650 owners too)which i've posted a few days ago(headphone forum),you may be able to help me.

My hearing is perfect - at least as the tests indicate.

Several have reported an issue with the v8 with Senns - so, I'm sure there's an issue in that regard... at least concerning the US version of the amp. Or, perhaps it was the early version (last spring / summer).

 

[Quinto]

My hearing was tested some time ago and was found to be excellent..
I never listen very loud volumes on headphones (or speakers)

My X-Can sounds awesome with my Grado, so I can't imagine it has some kind of issue..

I'm sure it is a matter of preference..

 

[Gradofan2]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quinto /img/forum/go_quote.gif My hearing was tested some time ago and was found to be excellent.. I never listen very loud volumes on headphones (or speakers) My X-Can sounds awesome with my Grado, so I can't imagine it has some kind of issue.. I'm sure it is a matter of preference..

Not at all...

... if you'll note... my comments indicate its one of the best sounding amps I've heard with low impedance phones, which include Grados.

However... that is not the case with Senns - with which the US version struggles to say the least. At least the two I had did.

On the basis of my experience with it... I could not recommend the amp with Senns, or any other high impedance phones... there are simply much, much better amps with them - again... the US version of a year ago.

 

[john53]

I left my x can v8 on for the last 6 days(i used to pull off the mains plug from the wall socket before) and the sound quality is fine without needed to warm it up.

Before that,i had to leave it playing for 2-2.30 hours or more(it may be less depends on the room temperature,volume)to reach it's maximum sound quality.
But now it's ok from the first minute of listening.

Have that in mind if you want to audition it at a shop.

The only thing i worry about is that if i leave it on all the time,i'm affraid it may cause a damage from the temperature(now that it's summer,the amp gets a little hotter)

 

[Solitary1]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gradofan2 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Yeah... as we've discussed... most of the folks with the EU version of the v8 seem to like its sound with Senns (maybe a few exceptions). I don't know why, there's such a disparity in experiences with the v8... other... than the possibility that the EU version performs better with the 240v mains power, than the US version with the 120v mains power. But... there seems to be a huge difference (e.g. about a 30%+ difference in power / gain with Senns).

Well, I got my v8 in yesterday (after a bout with a dishonest Fedex driver), and I have to concur with you Gradofan. They really left Sennheiser lovers outta the loop with this one. My v3 used to make my 600s and 650s shine. This one I have to turn it up to 2 maybe 3 o'clock to get sufficient volume. I had planned on getting the Denon D2000's anyway, and my dilemma is should I dump the phones for the amp or the amp for the phones.

Since the consensus is that the amp shines with low-impedance phones, I'll probably wait until I get the Denons, and get a Audio gd Compass for my Sennheisers. Still, I'm very disappointed.