Musical fidelity x dac v3 review
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I have purchased the new X-CAN V3 from Omer, and it is time to share my thoughts with y'all. The unit now is housed in a rectangular shaped metal box (as opposed to the old tube shaped containers of old). Another big improvement is the Alps pot and large volume knob, which gives you a very gradual gain as you adjust the volume. First order of business was to replace the stock Jan Phillips tubes with a pair of close-matched JJ E88CC/6922 bottles. I had done this rolling with the original X-CANS with very satisfactory results. You can actually get the tubes out and in with only a removal of the front faceplate (where you had to remove both front and rear on the old model) Having let the unit warm up for an hour or so (audio foreplay without participation), I plugged in the Sennheiser HD580's and let the fun begin. The first track was Nina Simone's "Mississippi Goddam". And galldarn, the overall sound is smoother and more extended at the frequency extremes compared to the original X-CANS. When you go to the X-CANS V3 after using solid state headphone amps, you really notice the smoothness in the highs, and the lack of grain and spitty quality to some sibilants. You will also notice a big soundstage area that allow the recordings to set up camp and breathe properly. The presentation is also set slightly back, which is usually the case with well designed, expensive gear. You can also plug in pretty much any headphone and get wonderful results. I went and tried my various models of Grado and the amp really clued me in to the differences in the various models. The unit is also dead quiet. The best term to use to describe the unit is "musical". Yes, it's a bit of a cliché, but it fits, in that you just get involved in the music and a sense of pleasure and of being relaxed comes to the fore. There are no irritating peaks or valleys in the frequency response that get on your nerves after a time. You can listen for hours. Anything I didn't like? Well, just like the original X-CAN, I don't always quite get a bead on what things in the bass range are doing. That is, I think that there is an overall slight lack of focus in the bottom end, a bit of a mushy, amorphous thing going on, from the low bass up to the lower midrange. It's just a bit slow and ill-defined compared to some solid state units like the Grado RA-1 and the Rega Ear. Lacks a bit of kick and drive. Also, compared to the Ear, dynamics are a bit smoothed over and the unit does not "stop/start" as precisely as the Ear (this could just be a "tube" characteristic). But the Ear lacks the overall smoothness, low level detail and transparency in the top that the X-CAN V3 provides. Another thing, Musical Fidelity still does not provide an on/off switch. You have to either leave the unit on ( and let the tubes burn) or unplug it after each listening session. And I see no point of just burning NOS tubes during the normal 20 hours of "down time". I suppose I could go on and spew out the many qualities of different recording I used, but what's the point? The basic flavour does not change with each recording, so if you like what you hear, you don't have to worry about inconsistencies with different types of music. It can be sweet and smooth, and it can also rock (and sometimes roll too) as was apparent on Ozzy's "Live At Budokan". I think that if one is really interested in tube sound for their headphones, the X-CAN V3 is a great and affordable way to get in. So there you have it. I highly recommend an audition and this unit is very good value for the money. You can buy some extra tubes for way off in the future, then sit back and enjoy music on a very musical piece of audio gear, the X-CAN V3. I've been looking for a DAC to upgrade my current system. I've been thinking of buying a used one since I think I'll get the most value for my money. Right now I'm looking at the Musical Fidelity X-DAC v3, but I can't seem to find much information about it. This DAC is about in my price range, or perhaps a little too expensive actually, so comparisons with cheapers DACs would definitely be appreciated. I'm really interested in if anyone can comment on how it compares to other more popular DACs in its price range ($1000) or below. Cheers!
The place to ask is Rock Grotto where there is some discussion of this DAC and other X components. There is a huge modding scene around these items which suggests to me their basic design is sound but better components make a significant difference. I put that theory to the test with my XCAN v2's and XLPS v3 and have been very happy with the results.
The various mods centre around clock and PSU upgrades,plus removing the muting transistors and a few cap upgrades. There are a few companies dealing with this and other DACs on a commercial basis,and you should take a look at Trichord,and Audiocom. I have an MF X-DAC3 which I use in my headphone system,and the single biggest difference in performance is made by ditching the wall-wart PSU and replacing it either with MF's own (pricey) transformer based supply,or one of the other aftermarket supplies. This massively improves the bass response as well as lowering the noise floor and is well worthwhile. The components supplied are as Cable Monkey has said,cheap and basic,and the DAC itself can do much better when allied with decent caps and a good PSU. For the money,it's a good DAC,with a clear,open sound,and isnt harsh or sharp,but you should also look at anything else in that price range for comparisons.
Hiya fella, Just out of interest - have you ever compared it to any other DACS as I'm thinking about getting an XDAC V3?
A few yes......TAG AV32R/DP,Perpetual Technologies P1A,and a few others from memory! It has a rather different sound to the P1A,in that it's drier and perhaps less spacious,but still a very decent DAC and one that has a more clinical sound perhaps than the P1A,and it does go well with my tube setup for headphones,hence it's used there. The TAG is also quite a clinical DAC,but used with the TAG sync link it moves ahead of the other two DACs for timing etc. I think the MF is actually very good value for money,and I've already thought of having it upgraded by Audiocom,and would do that if I hadnt just had my HTPC upgraded. If you do buy it,it NEEDS a good PSU...the supplied wall-wart does it no favours at all.
Hi There, Now Im no HIFI expert, no HIFI techie jargon here, I just know what I like when I hear it. I was using my Denon 3930 as my CD source but even though its very good it sounded artificial with a digital edge to vocals and instruments could sound confused. I auditioned a few players but there was pros and cons with each and then my dealer suggested a dac..hmmm he explained the the 3930 has a drive comparable to a £1000 cd player (his words not mine) and we could try the Cyrus DAC, what can I say it sounded fantastic but unfortunetly £1000 for the Cyrus product was too steep for my pockets. A few months later he rang me about a ex dem XDAC v3 that I could use on a home trial and as a comparison I also loaded an Arcam CD player. First I tried the Arcam...hmm it sounded better on vocals than the 3930 but not stunning, then I tried the XDAC brillant the instruments were layered Id lost the edge to vocals that I hated and it was only £300....The next week I located the XPSU and that again improved things and a couple of months later I was offered the tube buffer to try, I was looking forward to that but when I finally came to using the buffer it was a disapointment, it seemed to strip the life from the music.... Anyway thats my thoughts on the XDACv3, Im happy now with what Ive got...all I would say is if you can try before you buy. JOhn
Cheers guys I owned a lot of MF kit a few years back (caught up in the brand thing) nad if i'm honest I probably couldn't tell if the XDAC V3 was any good. As i have an MF XLPS V3 and XPSU (you guys are right, the PSU makes a big difference) I figured the XDAC V3 would be a good option for my squeezebox. I like the idea of it being clinical as my all time favourite dac was the Benchmark DAC1 and I only sold that as I felt it took away the emotion in some music otherwise soundstage etc. was perfect.
That's what I'm using mine for. Very happy with the results Guess I'll have to keep my eyes out for an XPSU and there was me thinking I had 'dun buying'
I got mine from a guy over on zerogain by the name of Nando - quite cheap
Got the x-dac V3 now so will try in anger over next few days. Read about a Stello Dac - anyone with any experience as it reads like it is a benchmark but more?
Was gonna get one as there is someone selling one for £300 over at Wigwam, rave reviews over the net about these. Boosted up funds and gone for the Musical Fidelity KW DM25 instead..
I have come so close to buying that Stello DAC but something keeps pulling me back. The rave reviews on the net don't seem to help me in deciding either so I've come to the conclusion maybe not for me The other thing making the decision difficult is the MF XDAC V3 - it is bloody good This isn't a rose tinted view and I haven't forgotten my Benchmark DAC1 but I wasn't quite expecting the precision in the imaging (the width is good, depth is so so) and at 2nd hand prices it's a good deal (wish it had a USB input though ). I wonder how much better the KW DAC sounds (only joking as no way could I afford it now). CABLEMONKEY - you'll have to pop round one day with the Benchmark so we can compare
I hear you! Will be in touch in the next few days!
hi, I don't suppose anyone's tried the V-dac or DACmagic against the X-dac v3, I have a powerbook with no optical out and would rather use USB, but if the X-dac is that better I'd use that and get something to give me a optical output on my laptop. I'm currently using a CA dacmagic with my MF x-prev3 and x-p200, with B&W CM7 speakers, all sounds great but the bass seems a bit too loud and over the top (only slightly) but i have tried this combination out in a hifi shop with an Arcam FMJ cd player and the the sound was much more balanced (apparently the bass had gotten tighter, his words not mine, all i know is the distracting bass had gone away). I was hoping trying different DACs out might give me the same results. |
