Got my X-cans today...need some help

[shafesk]

So I got my X-cans yesterday, I love the looks but hate the little volume control knob. However, I don't feel it has contributed anything to the sound quality....just made everything louder! It's fine, my system didnt sound bad. I was just hoping for some noticeable change. This being my first tube amp, I always wondered what the fuss was about. There is not difference! Atleast for this amp. Sigh....but I am willing to be patient....can anyone suggest me some tubes for this amp which will make the sound a bit warmer?

Cheers

 

[The_Lhc]

Can't help thinking you're jumping the gun a little, wanting to replace the valves already, I imagine there'll be distinct run-in period for a tube amp, not to mention warm up time required before it sounds its best.

 

[idc]

Is the comparison X-CANS to the headphone out on your Amp?

 

[shafesk]

Well not to my amp. My amp surely has more bass but is not as controlled as the xcans. I am actually comparing it to my pc's output. The sound characteristics do not change when Im using the xcans through my pc, it just sounds louder than my pc's headphone jack. Just a slight improvement in separation but Im not sure if Im imagining it. I do agree I might be jumping the gun a little....Im not disappointed I was just expecting a change in sound quality. I do hope a tube change gives me some improvements, hence I need some suggestions on tube and info on where I can find tubes.

 

[Superaintit]

Not sure how you connect the X-can to your pc, but surely you mean to say that you connect the X-can via the dacmagic you have?

If not, it's seems obvious that you're analogue output of the pc is the limiting factor here.

 

[shafesk]

Im sorry I should have made it clear...my dac magic is in my hifi setup...Im away from home....my head-fi setup is the laptop, x-cans and akg k702

 

[shafesk]

Even if the pc's output is the limiting factor here, dont you think using a headphone amp should chage the sound of the system slightly?

 

[El Hefe]

Is your XCANS brand new or used? If its new, let it run in a little bit more. Is it the 1st version or V2?

What music files are you running from the laptop? Lossless/FLAC/plain old MP3s? Remember grabage in, garbage out (no offense intended here). Just trying to find out the missing link for your new acquisition.

 

[shafesk]

My x-cans are v1 and they are used. I use apple lossless and flac so think I'm sorted with my music quality....the soundcard is not the best. However, I should have still noticed a change in sound quality after installing a headphone amp

 

[idc]

shafesk:Even if the pc's output is the limiting factor here, dont you think using a headphone amp should chage the sound of the system slightly?

Yes, but I think if anything a revealing amp like the X-CANS would make the source sound worse. The weak link is the digital to analogue conversion in your sound card. You want a better sound card or a DAC.

 

[shafesk]

Yes I do want a decent soundcard...but the headphone and amp purchase left me a bit dry in the wallet. So I was hoping to go the tube upgrade route...which is definitely cheaper. This is my 'no sacrifice' system so I wont make any rush purchases. I will save enough till I have the money to buy an ibasso d10 or an arcam rdac...but those are pipe dreams. For now a tube change

 

[idc]

I would consider one of these mini DACs

http://whathifi.com/Review/CYP-AU-D3-DAC/

 

[Superaintit]

shafesk:Even if the pc's output is the limiting factor here, dont you think using a headphone amp should chage the sound of the system slightly?

Well...in my experience the better the amp the more revealing, i.e. the less character it imparts on the signal. Having said that, as a x-can v3 owner I can hear a sound signature: very smooth midrange, slightly exaggerated base. Effectively you are getting a better 'look' into the quality of the signal.

I would definately try getting some improvements from the laptop. Usually with some software tweaking small improvements can be made (free) and a significant step up in quality can be achieved by using a dedicated dac.

Make sure your laptop doesn't convert the signal from 44.1 to 48 khz. You can search the forum for posts on this and other tweaks.

 

[shafesk]

idc:
I would consider one of these mini DACs

http://whathifi.com/Review/CYP-AU-D3-DAC/

Hehe funny you should mention this...went to look at it in Richer Sounds....backed out at the last minute. Like I said this is my 'no compromise' set-up....when I get a dac, it will be a mean one. I miss my Dac-Magic so much....its a thousand miles away now.

 

[El Hefe]

shafesk:Yes I do want a decent soundcard...but the headphone and amp purchase left me a bit dry in the wallet. So I was hoping to go the tube upgrade route...which is definitely cheaper. This is my 'no sacrifice' system so I wont make any rush purchases. I will save enough till I have the money to buy an ibasso d10 or an arcam rdac...but those are pipe dreams. For now a tube change

IMHO, save up for a DAC rather than a soundcard. At least the DAc you can also have other inputs to it and can be connected to maaaayybbeee a 2nd hifi set up in your office so that you will not miss your set up at home?

 

[shafesk]

Thats exactly what I intend to do...

 

[shafesk]

Superaintit:

shafesk:Even if the pc's output is the limiting factor here, dont you think using a headphone amp should chage the sound of the system slightly?

Well...in my experience the better the amp the more revealing, i.e. the less character it imparts on the signal. Having said that, as a x-can v3 owner I can hear a sound signature: very smooth midrange, slightly exaggerated base. Effectively you are getting a better 'look' into the quality of the signal.

I would definately try getting some improvements from the laptop. Usually with some software tweaking small improvements can be made (free) and a significant step up in quality can be achieved by using a dedicated dac.

Make sure your laptop doesn't convert the signal from 44.1 to 48 khz. You can search the forum for posts on this and other tweaks.

Thanks for the help Superaitit. I have tried both the 44.1 and 48khz at both 16 and 24 bits....and I can hear degradation at 24 bits and 44.1khz but 48khz @ 24 bits sounds as good as 44.1khz @ 16 bits.

 

[shafesk]

Breakthrough!!!!

I was trying different volume levels on my laptop and my amplifier. Initially my laptop was on full volume and I adjusted the volume on the amplifier. Now I tried lowering my laptop's volume and increasing the amp's volume! It seems to have done the trick...mind you the amplifier has been on for the last 5 days...so it just might be breaking in. Either ways...I'm getting distinctly better soundstaging and less harshness. Or AM I JUST IMAGINING IT?????? Either ways as long as the sound is less harsh. The treble got my ears bleeding few nights ago....