Musical Fidelity X-Can v8

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 ass 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.

Nice, I didn't know there was even a v9 version out...

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.

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.

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.

I'll probably pick up one for the old lady soon.

where can you buy it and how much does it cost?

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.