X-Cans (and other amps?) question

Pecker · 27-09-2006, 2:00 PM

I bought an MF X-Cans 'phone amp about 5 years ago. Can't remember much about the spec, but I believe it might have valves in it.

The amp was plugged in and left on for about 3 years, 24 hours a day, only without much usage. It's been in storage for c.2 years.

Questions:

1 - Am I right in remembering this has valves in it?

2 - If so, will the valves have 'worn' having being plugged in?

3 - Will the valves need replacing?

4 - Will that be prohibitively expensive?

I'd like to just plug my 'phones back in and press 'PLAY' on my CD player, but need to know if this is possible.

HELP!

Steve W

Paul Williams · 27-09-2006, 2:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pecker

I bought an MF X-Cans 'phone amp about 5 years ago. Can't remember much about the spec, but I believe it might have valves in it.

The amp was plugged in and left on for about 3 years, 24 hours a day, only without much usage. It's been in storage for c.2 years.

Questions:

1 - Am I right in remembering this has valves in it?

2 - If so, will the valves have 'worn' having being plugged in?

3 - Will the valves need replacing?

4 - Will that be prohibitively expensive?

I'd like to just plug my 'phones back in and press 'PLAY' on my CD player, but need to know if this is possible.

HELP!

Steve W

1 - Yes
2 - Maybe
3 - Maybe
4 - Yes/No/Maybe

Plug it in and play, than answers to 2,3 will become clear. If I remember correctly, the X-can had no on/off switch, so I expect tube life should be long. The cost of valves can be as little or as much as you want to spend. On some of the Headphone forums the Russian 6N23's seem quite highly regarded. eBay seller link below.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/NOS-Matched-Pa...QQcmdZViewItem

but I believe any 6992/6DJ8/ECC88/E88CC/CCa.....and many others will do (steer clear of the 6N1P though, unless someone knows if its really compatible). I've bought this type of valve for as little as £2.50, but there are certain type which can cost many hundreds.

Perhaps some actual X-can owners will chime in with their opinions of 'the' tube to use - it would always be worth having a spare set anyway.

Paul

Mr.D · 27-09-2006, 5:21 PM

I've got some mullard valves in my XcanV2 much better than the stock philips ones.
Try doing a search for rockgrotto Xcan mods. I've replaced all the capacitors , the volume pot and the jack socket. Much better ...sounds better than the stock Xcan V3 in direct comparison.

Pecker · 28-09-2006, 8:33 AM

More questions.

- Will it be obvious if my valves have 'gone'? In other words, will it be a massive problem in SQ (crackle, etc), or no sound at all, or will it be more subtle than that (a subjective but slight reduction in SQ)?

- Where can I buy replacements from? Don't want to use e-bay, just a shop, or somewhere reputable on-line?

- Can I fit the new valves myself, just like changing a lightbulb?

Cheers.

Steve W

Paul Williams · 28-09-2006, 1:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pecker

More questions.

- Will it be obvious if my valves have 'gone'? In other words, will it be a massive problem in SQ (crackle, etc), or no sound at all, or will it be more subtle than that (a subjective but slight reduction in SQ)?

- Where can I buy replacements from? Don't want to use e-bay, just a shop, or somewhere reputable on-line?

- Can I fit the new valves myself, just like changing a lightbulb?

Cheers.

Steve W

Tubes tend to either go noisy (microphonic or tube rush) or just don't work. Either way I'd always recommend having spares. Myself I usually run the unit with the valves it comes with for the (usual) 90 day tube warranty period, then replace them with my preferred ones and use the originals as spares. The eBay link I provided has given sterling service and I have no issues using or recommending him. He also has an Internet Website if you want to pay a bit more.

Other Providers would be

www.watfordvalves.com
www.tube-shop.com/uk/home.asp
www.chelmervalve.com

of course there are others - my recommendation for a safe valve would be the JJ E88CC (or those other Russian ones) as I use these in a phono stage which is quite demanding quality wise.

Me I quite often use 2 eBay sellers in the US and one web shop in Germany who provide the tubes at lower cost (even when you factor in delivery) than in the UK.

Don't know about the insides of the X-can but the valves should just pull out (with a very gentle, rolling/rocking motion) and push in - obviously you do need to approach this with an element of care (no real force should be required) the valves will have 9 pins and these need to go in the right way (there is a larger gap between 2 of the pins to make the orientation obvious).

Hope that's of some help.

Paul

Pecker · 29-04-2008, 6:46 PM

How time flies.

In a month or so I should finally be getting my kit set back up again.

I have traced a local store that'll source the valves I need for the MF X-Cans.

Can someone remind me of which valve types (model numbers?) to order that'll work well with this 'phone amp.

I don't mind a list containing high, mid and low-priced options.

Many thanks.

Steve W

**alexs2** · 29-04-2008, 7:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pecker

How time flies.

In a month or so I should finally be getting my kit set back up again.

I have traced a local store that'll source the valves I need for the MF X-Cans.

Can someone remind me of which valve types (model numbers?) to order that'll work well with this 'phone amp.

I don't mind a list containing high, mid and low-priced options.

Many thanks.

Steve W

The X-Can v 1,2,and 3 use the 6H23P tube which is a version of the ECC88 or 6922

The 6922 was a special quality version of the ECC88,and in this case it refers to it's long life,and not any other feature.

These are all widely available but the very best are NOS Mullards,and my own personal choice for tubes is www.chelmervalve.com

If anyone has good examples it will be them.