Musical Fidelity X-Can v8

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unc2701
unc2701 Posts: 3,587
edited June 2008 in Electronics
So I'd been thinking about getting a decent set of headphones for work when I saw this musical fidelity on demo & I figured why not? Ordered it and a pair of AKG k701's. The Musical Fidelity showed up last night, so I brought it in & plugged in my POS $15 Sony headphones.

HOLY CRAP!

There's bass that was never there before, all my mp3's now sound like **** compared to the lossless rips, incredible imaging, much better dynamics... All this through my cheap headphones- I can't wait till the AKG's get here.

Now, I dunno if the DAC in the computer sucks (I'm using the USB input on the MF) or the line out on the computer was just that bad, but it's night and day.

Kind of a shock- I was expecting maybe a little improvement, but nothing till I got some real headphones.
Gallo Ref 3.1 : Bryston 4b SST : Musical fidelity CD Pre : VPI HW-19
Gallo Ref AV, Frankengallo Ref 3, LC60i : Bryston 9b SST : Meridian 565
Jordan JX92s : MF X-T100 : Xray v8
Backburner:Krell KAV-300i
Post edited by unc2701 on
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  • AsSiMiLaTeD
    AsSiMiLaTeD Posts: 11,728
    edited June 2008
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    Nice, I didn't know there was even a v9 version out...
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  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,640
    edited June 2008
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    I picked one of them up as soon as they became available. Much better than the previous series. It's also physically larger, which was a nice change. I haven't used the USB feature but it's a nice touch.
    CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
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  • AsSiMiLaTeD
    AsSiMiLaTeD Posts: 11,728
    edited June 2008
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    I didn't particularly LOVE the v3 when I had it. It was a nice amp, but a little too laid back with my already laid back HD650. Is the V8 similar, or is it more forward like the ASL stuff (I have the MG Head OTL now and absolutely love it, ultimately chose it over the v3)?

    I think with a set of more forward sounding cans I'd prefer the v3, just didn't do it for me with the Senns.
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  • unc2701
    unc2701 Posts: 3,587
    edited June 2008
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    I can't comment too much since this is my first foray into cans, but I'll give more impressions once I get the AKG's.

    The USB really sold me on it- I suspect that the line out on my soundcard is going to be a major limiting factor, so bypassing all the RFI and crap parts inside my computer seems like the way to go. Not that I think that the DAC in the MF is that great, but it's gotta be better than what Dell is putting in a workstation.
    Gallo Ref 3.1 : Bryston 4b SST : Musical fidelity CD Pre : VPI HW-19
    Gallo Ref AV, Frankengallo Ref 3, LC60i : Bryston 9b SST : Meridian 565
    Jordan JX92s : MF X-T100 : Xray v8
    Backburner:Krell KAV-300i
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  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited June 2008
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    I'll probably pick up one for the old lady soon.
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
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  • olilugo
    olilugo Posts: 405
    edited June 2008
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    where can you buy it and how much does it cost?
    Current HT setup
    Mains: B&W 804s
    Center: Polk CSi5
    Surround: Polk FXi3
    Sub: Velodyne DLS-3750R
    Receiver: Pioneer SC-07
    Amplifier: Sunfire TGA5200
    TV: Sony KDS60A2020
    DBP: Sony DBP-S350
    CDP: Pioneer DV-48AV
    Interconnect cables: SignalCable analog II
    speaker cables: SignalCable Ultra Speaker Cables Bi-wire
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  • unc2701
    unc2701 Posts: 3,587
    edited June 2008
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    http://www.musicdirect.com/product/81945

    Underwood HiFi has them, too and I'd recommend getting it from him, but you'll have to email/call for his price.
    Gallo Ref 3.1 : Bryston 4b SST : Musical fidelity CD Pre : VPI HW-19
    Gallo Ref AV, Frankengallo Ref 3, LC60i : Bryston 9b SST : Meridian 565
    Jordan JX92s : MF X-T100 : Xray v8
    Backburner:Krell KAV-300i
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