x can v8 appreciation thread

[john53]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Solitary1 /img/forum/go_quote.gif 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.

I really can't imagine passing 12 o'clock with my hd 600.Once,i reached close to 12 o'clock on the volume dial and listened for about 5 minutes and then when i stoped listening to music my ears were ringing for the next few hours.

I'm 100% sure that many x cans v8 either have a problem or there is a difference with the voltage in different countries as gradofan 2 stated many times before.

Hey,if you ever come to greece for holidays be sure to pm me.You should hear my x can v8 and then tell me if you thing you have to put volume dial at 2 or 3 o clock in order to obtain high volumes.

 

[Gradofan2]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Solitary1 /img/forum/go_quote.gif 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.

Yeah... its a "darn shame" - the amp sounds great with Denons.

Has to be the difference between the US and EU versions.

 

[Solitary1]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gradofan2 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Yeah... its a "darn shame" - the amp sounds great with Denons. Has to be the difference between the US and EU versions.

Uhh, I'm gonna have to make a slight addendum. While I was in between amps, having sold the LDIII and also the LDI+ that was my office amp, I had switched my Mac to the speakers. I had lowered the volume in iTunes since that is how I control the speakers and I never set it back to maximum volume (Duhh). It's playing MUCH louder now, 1 o'clock is about the max I need for loud listening. While that's still more than the v3 needed, it is workable. I have both the USB input and the optical out going thru a DAC to the line in going for comparison. Obviously the optical out is much better, but the USB DAC is usable. I am now going to connect the Marantz SACD player to it and really give it a workout.

 

[john53]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Solitary1 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Uhh, I'm gonna have to make a slight addendum. While I was in between amps, having sold the LDIII and also the LDI+ that was my office amp, I had switched my Mac to the speakers. I had lowered the volume in iTunes since that is how I control the speakers and I never set it back to maximum volume (Duhh). It's playing MUCH louder now, 1 o'clock is about the max I need for loud listening. While that's still more than the v3 needed, it is workable. I have both the USB input and the optical out going thru a DAC to the line in going for comparison. Obviously the optical out is much better, but the USB DAC is usable. I am now going to connect the Marantz SACD player to it and really give it a workout.

I still find 1 o'clock to be too much with my senn hd 600(actually, i've never past 12 o'clock,not even reach it).

Solitary 1,be sure to post impresions regarding the sound quality with your sennheiser headphones.I personally find it to be a good match with my hd 600's.

be sure before you start listening/testing it with the sennheisers,to leave it play at least 2-2.5 hours(if you don't leave the v8 on all the time)

 

[Solitary1]

Quote:

Originally Posted by john53 /img/forum/go_quote.gif I still find 1 o'clock to be too much with my senn hd 600(actually, i've never past 12 o'clock,not even reach it). Solitary 1,be sure to post impresions regarding the sound quality with your sennheiser headphones.I personally find it to be a good match with my hd 600's. be sure before you start listening/testing it with the sennheisers,to leave it play at least 2-2.5 hours(if you don't leave the v8 on all the time)

Yes, there's still a difference between the U.S. and Euro versions obviously, and the current version and the v3, but I can live with 12 to 1 o'clock. Still getting the Denons.

I've been running the Chesky Jazz & Audiophile Test vol. 2 through it most of the last 2 days when I wasn't actually listening to it. Stock (which is obviously what it is right now), it betters the v3 in every way. No dull, muffled sound here, no "veil", crisp and clear. Ran the 24/96 Beatles "Love" and the 24/96 Valerie Joyce "New York Blue" through it and got totally immersed in the music. Gonna grab some of those Amperex and Sylvania ECC88's and get the upgraded P.S. from Mike and I should be set.

 

[john53]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Solitary1 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Yes, there's still a difference between the U.S. and Euro versions obviously, and the current version and the v3, but I can live with 12 to 1 o'clock. Still getting the Denons. I've been running the Chesky Jazz & Audiophile Test vol. 2 through it most of the last 2 days when I wasn't actually listening to it. Stock (which is obviously what it is right now), it betters the v3 in every way. No dull, muffled sound here, no "veil", crisp and clear. Ran the 24/96 Beatles "Love" and the 24/96 Valerie Joyce "New York Blue" through it and got totally immersed in the music. Gonna grab some of those Amperex and Sylvania ECC88's and get the upgraded P.S. from Mike and I should be set.

Nice to hear that you enjoy it.Are these impressions with hd600/650?I have a 96/24 version of oxygene (jean michael jarre)and it is magical with the hd 600.

 

[Solitary1]

Well, yesterday I plugged the Marantz SACD into the amp and played "Blue Train" (my SACD reference). It absolutely smoked,and I never had to take the volume above 11 o'clock. There was never that much difference between the volume levels of my Mac and the Marantz before. I'm in awe, can't explain it. I'll get to the bottom of it though. Buying a new DAC for the Mac soon, we'll s ee what difference that makes.

 

[john53]

Has anybody tried the x can v8 with hd 800?I actually did yesterday,and i think they made a nice combo.I slightly prefered the hd 800 to my 600's on my v8.

The sound was more detailed,clear and transparent,soundstage and imaging were better,prat was better,vocals were very good(emotional)and bass was better defined(didn't have the slight mid bass-bass muddiness of the hd600's)and had better control and depth(Impact was similar though)My only concern is that highs sounded a bit metalic(but not sibilant),but i suppose that it's because i'm used to the hd 600 warmer and smoother highs.Overall a nice effortless,life like sound.

 

[Zombie_X]

How do you think the V8 pairs with the K701? I want to know since I;m comtemplating on buying one. I heard the X-Can V8 with ym K701's before and liked the sound, but I'm more interested if it's able to power them better than a VHP-2 (which I currently own).

 

[john53]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zombie_X /img/forum/go_quote.gif How do you think the V8 pairs with the K701? I want to know since I;m comtemplating on buying one. I heard the X-Can V8 with ym K701's before and liked the sound, but I'm more interested if it's able to power them better than a VHP-2 (which I currently own).

I have tried the k 701 in the past,but not with my x can v8.I've also never tried the vhp-2 so i don't have an opinion on this.

But what's your problem since you've tried it and you liked it?Did you like it better than your vhp 2?If yes then go ahead;if you think the differences are minimal then stay with your current amp.

I will repeat two things about the v8:

1)If the amp is not always on(doesn't have on/off button)it needs at least 2-3 hours of playing to achieve it's good sounding signature.I noticed that the sound is a bit inconsistent at the first hours of playing.The first minutes the sound is open and transparent but dry(cool tubes),after a few hour the sound warms up but is a bit closed/muffled and as time passes the sound becomes open,transparent and detailed with a wide soundstage and well defined mids,midbass and bass and an overall nice,,smooth and 3d sound(just a bit bright but not harsh/sibilant)
(note that this warm up time could be less or more depending on the room temperature,volume setting etc)But if you have it on all the time,then no problem.The last days i left it on all the times and the sound now is very good from the first minutes of listening.

2)if the amp is new,then give some time for the tubes to settle down.when i first bought it,it was a bit harsh/sibilant in treble and not so refined overall.
After 100-150 hours it's ok(no signs of sibilance or harshness)

 

[yamallan]

Haha! I've been using X-can V8 with Little Pinkie for more than 6 months. Recently, I upgraded the valves to 1985's 6N23P, the improvement is stunning! Much better clarity, dynamic, highs extension and bass control!
V8 is driving my D2000 to the heaven! No one can hardly beat it!
Zombie_X, V8 and 701 is another excellent pair! much better than SOLO does!
I even love the sound of HD600(Cardas cable) under V8 more than under SOLO! The soundstage is amazing!
My source is Meridian 508.24~~~

 

[john53]

Are these tubes available only from the internet?
I also think that the soundstage is amazing,i use my v8 with the hd 600 too.
When i was searching for an amp i wanted to try graham slee solo,but the retailer here didn't have any amps from graham slee for demo,they had to order them first and that would take some time to come to greece,so i bought the v8(tried it and liked it)
So you think v8+hd 600 is better overall than solo+hd 600?Can you describe the differences briefly?I've always wondered if i did a mistake i didn't wait to try the solo.
But i really don't regret buying the v8,it sounds very good with my 600's,i'm very satisfied.

 

[yamallan]

Quote:

Originally Posted by john53 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Are these tubes available only from the internet? I also think that the soundstage is amazing,i use my v8 with the hd 600 too. When i was searching for an amp i wanted to try graham slee solo,but the retailer here didn't have any amps from graham slee for demo,they had to order them first and that would take some time to come to greece,so i bought the v8(tried it and liked it) So you think v8+hd 600 is better overall than solo+hd 600?Can you describe the differences briefly?I've always wondered if i did a mistake i didn't wait to try the solo. But i really don't regret buying the v8,it sounds very good with my 600's,i'm very satisfied.

Hi john53
SOLO drives HD600 better in dynamic, the bass is very powerful, but it doesn't go as deap as V8 does. The bass from SOLO is a bit aggressive which I don't like. SOLO's soundstage is another porblem when listening to classical symphony, a bit mass.
V8 with Little Pinkie is not laid-back at all, yes! it's not so powerful, but I should say, it's much more natural. You can change the tubes making the bass more tight.
My V8 has better clarity and better detailing at the moment compared to my SOLO. Over all, I prefer to V8 driving HD600,K701, D2000 and SR325i. But there is no advantages of driving HD650, cuz SOLO does it tooooo well!
If you are a bass-lover, you should try SOLO, if not, go for V8 directly!
You can contact Rock Grotto for more tube information, they have got amazing tubes in recent

 

[Zombie_X]

Great to hear yamallan! From my understanding it's able to power them fully if you get the PSU, correct? I already bought a used Pinkie PSU for it and will just buy the amp when I go to MusicDirect on Wednesday.

The X-Can V8 is an incredibly powerful amp right? That's what I've always heard.

 

[yamallan]

Hi Zombie_X, YES! V8 is a powerful amp especially with low impedance headphone, I can hear excellent bass control for Denon, Grado and AKG headphones. Pinkie is excellent for V8, even better than X-can PSU, this is the experience from Taiwan Hifier.
Don't forget to upgrade the tubes. The quality of the factory ones is not good, it's cheap ECC88 made in China. I'm currently placing Russia 1985 6N23P in it, and it sounds..... OMG! Bloody Hell! I really recommend Denon headphones with V8, you'll be shocked with the powerful bass

I agree with john53, V8 needs time to burn in.