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Xiangsheng 708b vs LD2+ ?

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Has anyone compared the Xiangsheng 708b with the LD2+ before? how do they compare?

 

:cans:

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Has anyone compared the Xiangsheng 708b with the LD2+ before? how do they compare?

 

:cans:

 

hi

 

you can add 'Little Country' to your list. It is pretty decent. Also don't forget the legendary Caiyin with Mullard tubes. :cans:

 

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Has anyone compared the Xiangsheng 708b with the LD2+ before? how do they compare?

 

:cans:

 

hi

 

you can add 'Little Country' to your list. It is pretty decent. Also don't forget the legendary Caiyin with Mullard tubes. :cans:

 

Saw the lil country at Jaben just now, but didnt try it :ppth:

 

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hmmmm would love to try the LD2+ for my SR225..

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Having owned both the Cayin HA-1A( which i've sold a year or so back ) and LD2+( which i just got my hands on last week ), its surprising to say that the LD2+ offers very good sonics even at such a long price.

 

However, the LD2+ uses rather obscure tubes that frankly, are ridiculously hard to tube roll. The Cayin uses much more common tubes that can readily be found in new or NOS form.

 

Build quality wise, the LD2+ offers very solid build for the money, the metal chassis being smooth and rather robust looking. However, the tube sockets and power tubes are rather cheap looking, but never the less do their job well. There is a plus point though, as the updated LD2+ version uses English Mullard signal tubes. Also, the volume pot is taut and smooth operating. The Cayin HA-1A does look and feel more in the vein of an expensive product ( which it obviously is ). The thick aluminium (?) front plate looks solid and the speaker binding post look extremely good. However i've had trouble with the lighted LED on the Cayin, it flickers intermittedly, causing an annoying noise that can be heard via the headphones. Tube afficiandos would prefer the Cayin as it offers almost a limitless choice of tubes to choose from. From RCA 5751s to JJ EL84s and Mullard CV4003s....Tube rolling on the Cayin can be rather costly, considering how a single Mullard CV4003 tube will set you back almost a 100 bucks these days.

 

When i used my Cayin with any headphone, there was a slight hum which while not annoying, was noticable. The LD2+ is dead quiet though. Coupled with the MS2i i own now, is absolutely quiet when no music is being played. No hum at all.

 

Sound wise, the Cayin can be said to be sweeter sounding, especially in the mids. I attribute this to the use of th EL84 power tubes, which are one of my fave tubes of all time ( next to the 2A3 of course. ) It offers the typical tube sweetness and euphony. Bass is nicely rounded and extended with sufficient slam. Overall, i remember the Cayin as being very good coupled with every can i had in the past ( I tried it with Grado SR-125s, SR-325is, Beyer DT-150s, DT-880s, Sennheiser HD-595s, Audio Technica A900s and ETY ER4s. And really, all sounded good through the Cayin. ) [PS, please take what i say with a pinch of salt as im recalling all this from memory ]

 

The LD2+ on the flipside( coupled with the only can i own now, th MS2i ), isnt as warm or euphonic sounding as the Cayin. It is much more neutral sounding, with a bass that is not as extended but much tigther. It's fast and tight. This amp offers plenty of PRAT, with cymbals sounding statisfyingly "shimmery" and brass having enough bite.

 

Hm..that's all i can say for now. Feeling a tad groggy, time to hit the bed again lol.

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I believe the Cayin and the Little Country is like 2-3 times the price of the XS? dosent sound like a very fair comparision to me. Never heard the Cayin before but Ive been reading pretty good reviews bout it. Other than that, the XS has been serving me pretty well for my first tube amp...its really smooth and warm, but most importantly, its got lots of modding potential when your sick of it...

 

heres a headfi link to someone who has a review of it, including his mods:

http://www6.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?t=191432

 

Any of the Xiangsheng owners here tube rolled? Any tubes to recommend? :grin:

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Yup,I have changed a couple of the stock tubes....

 

First tubes I changed is the 6N11 becos the left channel tube kind of burnt out... it goes softer and softer after some time of power up and listening.

I went to Well Audio at Bugis and the friendly uncle recommended me a pair of Siemens E88CC. It has indeed improved the details quite tremendously.I have never heard such nice strings and details highs before.The soundstage has enlarged too. Cool!

 

Next, I changed the 6N3 to Western electric 2C51 tube made in the 50s. It has further improved the details and soundstage even further!! I hear even more smaller background detail! Eg, I hear the soft organ played in the background in Coldplay's Speed of the Sound which I never hear before and didn't even know it exists!

 

I'm a happy listener with my 708B. However I'm sure that theres more potential to this little amp. Hope the 708B's owner can provide more info on improving this amp further.

 

I'm using a pair of Grado's SR80 which I feel has already been driven to its max already.Wondering if 701 will be good match to 708B. =)

 

My system is simply plugged from my Mac to the Amp and to my headphones.

 

 

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Sounds great :DD

 

How much is the Western electric 2C51 ?

 

You didn't change the 6N1 ?

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Recently i tried the LD2+.. was quite impressed with the sound however i think the XS 708B is a much better amp.. more warm and details. Mids are better too... It sound surprising quite fun.. The stock Cayin infact does not sound better then XS 708B.. it sound quite dry etc.. Do not want to go into details (quite long) However if you roll the Cayin it out performs the XS 708B in many ways..

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Yup,I have changed a couple of the stock tubes....

 

First tubes I changed is the 6N11 becos the left channel tube kind of burnt out... it goes softer and softer after some time of power up and listening.

I went to Well Audio at Bugis and the friendly uncle recommended me a pair of Siemens E88CC. It has indeed improved the details quite tremendously.I have never heard such nice strings and details highs before.The soundstage has enlarged too. Cool!

 

Next, I changed the 6N3 to Western electric 2C51 tube made in the 50s. It has further improved the details and soundstage even further!! I hear even more smaller background detail! Eg, I hear the soft organ played in the background in Coldplay's Speed of the Sound which I never hear before and didn't even know it exists!

 

I'm a happy listener with my 708B. However I'm sure that theres more potential to this little amp. Hope the 708B's owner can provide more info on improving this amp further.

 

I'm using a pair of Grado's SR80 which I feel has already been driven to its max already.Wondering if 701 will be good match to 708B. =)

 

My system is simply plugged from my Mac to the Amp and to my headphones.

 

Hi,

 

can anyone tell me how to remove the casing. I unscrew the top cover but was unablt to remove it.

 

As for connecting the mac, what cables did you use..?

3.5mm to rca.. hows the quality..

 

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Check that you have remove the correct screws. Then try sliding the top cover backwards.

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Btw I tried a GE 5670 to replace the 6N3 it didnt work. There was a loud humming sound from the left channel. Have to bring it back to change it to something else.

 

Replaced the rear 2 tubes with Electro Harmonix 6922.. initial impression .. brings out alot more details.. highs are more controlled.. improved soundstage

 

track used : Patience - Guns N Roses

source : cd63mk2

HP : senn hd580

Edited by zhapchit

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Sounds great :DD

 

How much is the Western electric 2C51 ?

 

You didn't change the 6N1 ?

 

This Western Electric is quite ex to me. It cost $90 for 1.

 

I din change the 6N1 cos I wanna change the tubes slowly to test out the effects on the tubes.

Perhaps sooner or later I will change it.Somehow,feels that the stock tubes aren't really that good enough.

Hee... Or maybe its just me.

 

Anyway recommended tube for 6N1 though? ;)

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Hi,

 

can anyone tell me how to remove the casing. I unscrew the top cover but was unablt to remove it.

 

As for connecting the mac, what cables did you use..?

3.5mm to rca.. hows the quality..

 

 

I'm using the cable I got from LHS,Sim Lim Tower,the place which some forumers here recommended.

But I believe my cable isn't that fantastic.. Its Furutek high grade OFC kind of cable.Quality wise... It doesn't really sounds the kind of transparent to me. But its definately an upgrade from the normal cable I got from Harvey Norman or those kind of normal shop.

 

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