extremecans

SOLD!!! Hi, Mods. Kindly close this thread... and congrats to the new owner who's now enjoying his new head amp! Thanks, SGHeadphones!

Hi, Shenyuan. Check your mailbox!!!

Second BUMP!!! PS: If for whatever reason that you guys may be interested in this product but can't commit yet, or your budget price is close but not there yet, etc... Kindly update me and I'm sure we can work something out... As mentioned, selling to fund a hi fi purchase... Thus...

My first BUMP!!!

Hi, guys. I'm selling my headphone amplifier to fund a hi-fi purchase. 1. Musical Fidelity X-Can V3 Headphone Amp (modded with Elna and Nichicon Audio Grade Caps + Mullard 6922s) The MF is 3 months old and is in mint and perfectly working condition. Low usage hours. I do have an external higher powered PSU which unfortunately, I do not have the chance to use yet. This PSU and the stock Jan Philips 6922s will also be included in the sale. $600 ono. http://www.onhifi.com/product/musicalfidelity_xcan_v3.htm Interested parties, kindly forward any inquires, and/or offers to my email address. Cheers!

Hi, Leng. Nah... after much contemplation, I've decided to keep it... just to power my HD600... Anyway, it's used mainly for late night listening sessions... So what did you get the Cary SLi80 afterall? Cheers!

Hi, all. Sorry for the OT. A month after my aforementioned post, I must say that the little modifications that I had done to my V3 have rewarded substantially. After replacing the stock caps to upgraded equivalents, changing the stock wall wart PSU to a higher powered PSU as well as tuberolling, this gem's definitely in another league altogether! The noise floor has lowered and imaging has opened up further. The mids are sweeter and the bass is taut and packs more oomphs and extension. The transient attack is immediate. Now, this baby really sings! Further enhancements in the pipeline are changing the internal wirings and perhaps installing a stepped attentuator. For owners of the MF V3, this unit's sure hell of a tweaker's paradise! Perhaps, it's also time to get a pair of Moon Audio Silver Dragon headphone cables for my Senn HD600... Hmmm... Incidentally, much as I hate to admit it, and though listening to headphone does bring about much enjoyment, I've realised that I'm still very much a stereophile at heart. And nothing beats hearing a musical hi-fi set up at work!!!

Hi, ppl. Anybody has ever had a brief or extended audition with the aforementioned product? What's your impression of it, for those who have listened to it? Apparently, it received quite an excellent review from TNT Audio and one of the Head-Fiers. Beside, Sennheiser UK has made this the head amp to showcase their flagship headphone HD650. Quite a feat, I must admit. Any input? Cheers!

Thxs, Mackie. Apparently, if that piece of equipment doesn't have any voltage selector switch (let's say it's solely a 110V US product), how would you then, or anybody, get around to this problem... Cheers!

Hi, guys. I don't know whether is it appropriate to post this topic here as I can't seem to fit this in in other section/forum. Well, I need some advice from the veterans and DIYers around as to whether are you guys able to change the voltage setting in any electrical equipment. Or rather, is it appropriate and safe to do so? An example would be if I have a US made cooker and I want it to work locally, then I guess there are only two alternatives. I can either, change the voltage setting (if it is applicable), or get a step up transformer. Now, let's put this into music reproduction appliances. So let's say you guys have a head amp, would you rather change the voltage setting or get a step up transformer? If it's the former scenerio, how do you do it? If it's the latter instance, where and which transformer to buy? And albeit the mentioned situation, we do also have to take into consideration the question of sound degradation, especially in the second situation. Last but not least, thxs for bearing with me. Any valuable input is very much appreciated. Cheers!

Hi, ppl. Just an interest check. If the price is right, I may sell it. A mint (almost brand new), no blemish or scratches whatsoever, three weeks old Musical Fidelity X-Can V3 headphone amplifier in immaculate condition up for grabs. No modification has been done and the unit has been well burnt in. Still under warranty from local authorised dealer, Alpha Audio till February 2005. Bought new at S$680. All original documentation and packaging are present. This unit can be enhanced through valves or tubes change. Interested parties, kindly PM your reasonable offers... Audition can always be arranged. Cheers!

Hi, ppl. Thought I share my humble personal view on the Senn HD600 and why it was (and still is) professed and proclaimed to be the "best" headphone out in the current market. Apparently, anybody who has read about reviews on this model raved about it but did confess that its imminent weakness is its overly laidback presentation of music. Well, for once, I do agree on that and it's also precisely because of that nature that most reviewers rated it as the most balance headphone, period. Why, you may ask? The Senn lets you hear the ounces and hideous details of any recording so vividly, in a relaxed, albeit laidlack manner, that you may forget, sometimes, that you are actually listening to the music through a pair of cans, instead of decent speakers. And in doing so it may become too analytical and cold to some, whereas for others and in the right system, it's actually quite a revelation experience. Timbre and depths are prominent and the spartial separation of instruments is first rated. You have a palpable sense of hearing the recording "live" and 3D imaging is fantastic. And albeit the aforementioned virtues or fortes, this is where its weakness lies. Its so called "laidback" nature is keeping some potential buyers at bay. The reasons varied but more importantly, those who are having seconds are apparently those who like a more "upfront" presentation of style... And of course, there are those who prefer a warmer midrange and a lower depth. But in spite of these comments, the Senn still hold its ground against its rivals. So if you are seeking just a honest sound, without all the bells or jingles, that other headphones may offer, the Senn is a likely and potential candidate. It will not suit everybody but matched it in a top-notch system and you can most certainly be assured of musical satisfaction. Before I sign off, I do have a comment to add... I've read that a lot of people have found the Senn to be slightly bass-shy too. I listened to mine and I can only say that it definitely delivered and registered the lower frequencies aplenty. ??? Why the contradiction? For a very simple reason, price. Most folks will pair up the Senn with their portables or mid-fis and expect great result as proclaimed by reviewers around the globe. But this is also where the problem lies. In hi-fi, there's a saying that goes "garbage in, garbage out", or GIGO in short. So to have the Senn and expect it to sound great where you only have a blaster to feed it, you can definitely more than expect it to make your music sound worse. It is a very revealing pair of cans and will reward those with good system. Moreover, most budget (as well as some higher end) speakers have a hard time producing the lows correctly. This is made even more prominent when you are reproducing it through a pair of headphones. Even in a relatively good entry level high end system, the sonic weakness of the whole, more than likely, lies in the reproduction of the lowest of the music spectrum. Most speakers (as well as most CD players) already have problem protraying the lowest of lows, let alone a pair of cans. In my system, there's definitely bass... and it's definitely there... But if you are expecting the oomphs that those subs delivered, you will definitely be disappointed. For others, it is the presence of the lows... and having heard that and taken the overall sonic signature of this pair of cans into consideration, it is easy to see why the Senn rates so highly among the reviewers. Anyway, you can't go wrong with this pair of marvels! Just my two cents worth... YMMV!!! Cheers! Associated Equipment Sony XA7ES CD Player Musical Fidelity X-Can V3 Headphone Amplifier Sennheiser HD600 Headphone Audioquest Lapis X3 Interconnects An Afterthought After prolonged listening to the aforementioned equipments, I have to admit that the MF X-Can V3 is starting to show its inadequacy in reproducing the goods. I listened on the Senn through the MF as well as the Sony and the only sonic difference that I've heard was that the Senn seemed to go lower in the depths on the MF, albeit a slight trade off in the mids. The Sony produced a sweeter mids whereas the MF went lower... Perhaps a tube change on the MF will remedy the matter...

$550 for the Senn HD650!!! That's indeed a good buy, ratio/performance purchase!!! So is that indeed the retail price now (albeit the promotion period)? Any advice? Cheers!

Hi. How much does a pair of Senn HD650 cost? From the comments that I've read, it seemed that the Senn HD650 and Senn HD600 are two different beasts altogether, and not just an "upgraded" version over the latter. So for those who have the Senn HD600, will you guys sell your phones and get the Senn HD650... Or rather, get the flagship model as well? Cheers!

Hi, guys! Thxs for the valuable inputs... Apparently, I just called Frankie and he quoted me $150 for just a unit of Siemens CCa, so that will set me back $300 for a pair!!! That's very expensive indeed... I thought headphonecrazy managed to get a pair for around $100++??? Nevertheless, he was also not willing to do any modification on the capacitors... So how did you (to headphonecrazy) get them changed the last time? I'm a novice to tubes and I was thinking along the line of headphonecrazy's mods on my amp. If it isn't much of a trouble to ask (to headphonecrazy), are you able to assist me in modifyng my unit? Alternatively, should I just get those stock tubes change first and contemplate the other upgrades gradually in the future... And to Mackie, thxs for the revelation piece of advice... I mean since I've already gotten the MF, I should just stick to it, period, and contemplate any enhancement(s) that I can "squeeze" out of it. Lastly, thxs again for your kind assistance... You guys have been a great help! Cheers!

Hi, guys. Does anyone of you know where to get the Moon Audio Silver Dragon headphone cables locally? Does any of the shop in Adelphi carry these wires? Btw, did anyone do a cable comparison between the HD 600 stock and those aftermarket hypes? If yes, I would like to hear some comments regarding this. Cheers!

Thxs, headphonecrazy. So if I've decided to get those NOS Siemens or Sylvania tubes, that will add up to another $100+ to my cost of owning the head amp... And if that's the case, wouldn't I be better off getting a good SS head amp instead? Apparently, the MF X-Can V3 only favors certain makes of headphones and the Senn is one of those, thus in the long run if I'm to get another brand(s) of headphone(s), wouldn't I have to change the MF as well? I've read through some of the comments in Head-Fi regarding this head amp and it seemed the folks there aren't too crazy over this beast... They advised SS head amps like Perraux SHX-1, Corda Prehead or the RS Emmeline HR-2 and tube counterparts like the Audio Valve RKV-II over the MF X-Can. I remembered that you used to own the MF and sold it shortly afterwards... What propelled the sales... Was it lacking refinement(s) in some areas... Or is it that I can do a lot better by getting either of the aforementioned head amps as the cost of adding spare tubes will indirectly pushes up the cost of ownership of the MF. Did you have any listening experiences with the mentioned head amps driving the Senn cans... I'm sure most will surpass the MF in musical enjoyment... or are they? Sorry, once again, for this lengthy paraphrasing... I shouldn't have rushed the MF purchase without conducting a reasonable listening session with the other head amps out on the market... For once, I've thought the MF was my preferred unit... Incidentally, any valuable input from any SG forum member(s) is/are very much appreciated! Cheers!

Thxs, headphonecrazy! So pal, any specific tubes recommendation and where can I get them? What about their prices... can I ask the seller to fix them? Cheers!

Thxs for the advice guys, especially headphonecrazy. However, I'm an idiot when it comes to DIY and I know nuts about soldering... Incidentally, how was the synergy between the MF and the Senn cans (to headphonecrazy) when you had them the last time... or can I do better by changing either of the components? I listen to all genres of music and I would prefer a dynamic yet lush and intimate sound. I enjoy, especially, listening to female vocalists. Cheers!

Hi, Scriberex. I may be interested in these wires... May I know the approximate amount, inclusive of shipping, (in Sing dollars) that it will set me back. Btw, did you have the chance to compare this against the Cardas counterpart and if you did, may I know which cable is the better product. And how does the Jan Meier's cable compare to the Senn HD 600 original stock? Cheers!

Hi, veterans and amateurs alike. I'm a newbie to this forum though I do have some knowledge about hifi since getting my hands (as well as my pockets) burnt since high school... Now I'm really getting into big time in headphone high fidelity ever since I purchased my Sennheiser HD 600 some four or five years back... My recent foray into this uncharted territory was when I bought the Musical Fidelity X-Can V3 a few months back to utilise the full potiential of my cans which I may be missing should they remained plugged in to my CD spinner. Now, here's the problem... Are you guys able to advise on any further enhancement(s) to the already excellent (to my ears though) headphone amplifier such as a cable change (I'm using Audiotruth Lapis from CD out to head amp) or rather, "tubes" change, etc. Any input is very much appreciated as I know you guys have done a great job in this "cans high fidelity" arena. Thanks and keep up the good work! Cheers!