Musical Fidelity X-Can V8P Headphone Amp

[Dj_AmTraX]

Is $400 too much for a used one?

[jdandy]

Originally Posted by Dj_AmTraX

Is $400 too much for a used one?

Mike.......No, that's a decent price, and what I paid for mine. The X-Can V8P was $699.00 new. Grab it, and pop some Gold Lion ECC88's in it. You will love it.

[Dj_AmTraX]

Thanks Dan. Let me hit up the seller.

Have you tried Cary Xciter headphones amp? I wonder how this compares to it.

[jdandy]

Mike.......I have only owned two headphone amps, the HeadAmp Gilmore Lite, and now the Musical Fidelity X-Can V8P. I am thrilled with the sound of my Sennheiser HD600 and the X-Can with the Gold Lion tubes. No reason to go looking anywhere else.

[Dj_AmTraX]

Dan, this is the listing. It's not the "P" version like yours. Is it not worth it at $400?

[jdandy]

Mike.......Offer $350 and see what happens. If you don't plan to use the X-Can as a preamp then having a stereo line out won't matter. That's the only difference between the two.

[Dj_AmTraX]

Someone beat me to the amp. I'll seek another one.

[jdandy]

Mike.......Yep, they are highly regarded, and don't generally stay for sale very long. That one didn't last one day.

[djwhog]

Dan can you educate me on the type of headphone amps, what is the benefit of a dual mono design? I would guess it is 2 independent circuits?

I have a pair of HD650 phones and am looking for a decent headphone amp that will not break the bank, and this X-can with the tubes looks like a hot ticket. I used to run from my C39 sound was fair at best, now with the mx150 i have no headphone amp.

A few weeks ago a post about ray samuels amps was mentioned, I checked them out and they seem pretty nice too esp the tube model.

I am not sure cost, performance etc. I know it is all subjective and sometimes emotionally driven. But in the around $1100 and under range would like to know what is most likely with Seinheiser ohones a good match per this class range.

NOTE: I prefer a very open and less forward sound if that helps. Crisp and wide sound stage and tight not boomy bass.

thanks
Dave

[jdandy]

Dave.......I am not a fountain of knowledge on headphone amplifiers. My experience is limited to two different amps, but since discovering the Musical Fidelity X-Can V8P I am no longer looking. It is exactly the sound I was after, highly detailed without being aggressive, full rich bass without bloat, no listener fatigue what so ever with my Sennheiser HD600.

I would suggest you spend some time reading at head-fi.org. You will find lots of headphone and headphone amps there, people who are in the know, and links to a ton of information.