The X-10D certainly doesn't need any more rave reviews from the likes of me, but here's one anyway. I spent yesterday morning doing A/B testing on twenty different songs. All kinds of material, from rock to jazz to hip hop to electronic, and found the X-10D to definitely and noticeably improve dynamics, bass response, and warmth in 16 of those songs. On two songs it merely made a difference in sound which was not necessarily better or worse than w/out it. And on two songs the sound was worse with the X-10D, but mostly because it pointed out just how badly those songs were recorded. So, in the end, the X-10D made improvements in the sound of a large majority of the tracks I tested it with.The dynamics improve, the bass is deeper and more controlled, the instruments sound warmer and more "live," vocals are given an added detail and airiness. After testing yesterday morning with a friend's, yesterday afternoon I snagged an X-10D on eBay for only $112. Would I have paid full retail (only $200) for this little output buffer? Yes indeed I would have, but you shouldn't have to; there are enough used or demo models floating around.

My (simple) system:
Yamaha CDC565
NAD C340 Integrated
B&W601 speakers
AQ Type 6 bi-wired
StraightWire interconnects

DACs: Theta DS Pro Basic IIIa, Pro Prime IIa, Cobalt 307Tuners: Fanfare FM FT-1; Parasound T/DQ-1600
Video game systems: Super Nintendo; Sony Playstation
Cables: Kimber PBJ, SS-147, KCAG-108, KS1010, KS1030; XLO Ref and Sig Type 1; MIT T2; Wireworld Oasis III

Sorry guys, simpler is better. In all cases, the sound is worse with the X-10D in line. With the X-10D, the sound is muddier, slower, less detailed. Soundstage collapses a bit. Bleagh! The X10-D takes my high-end equipment, and makes 'em sound like Discmen. The guy below is right; negative five stars.

If you have the yearning to spend your hard-earned $200, spend it on cables, cones, BDR The Pits, your spouse/significant other, pet food, but please please please do not even think about the X-10D. If you are not satisfied with the way your CD player/DAC sounds, upgrade the equipment.

I use the MF X-10D between a Onkyo Dx-706 Cd-player and a Sugden AU 41 preamplifier. Using this unit lets the system sounds more open.I noticed that expirimenting with the tube's is usefull.
I replaced the standaard ECC-88 valves with two 6922 sovtek valves with gives more detail but also sounds less open. Currently i'm experimenting with the E88CC from Philips and that give's the unit far better sound image than the standard Ecc-88 valves. I know that MF uses differend valve's in the X-10D. It depends of with type in available. This can mean that expirimenting with the same valves as discribe above will result in a better performance.

Dimitri van Hoven.
diho@arpanet.demon.nl

This product does absolutely nothing to improve the sound of a good system.
In all cases it has produced only slight degradation of sound, sort of like adding extra interconnect cable length to your system. I consider this to be one of the greatest rip-offs in audio. Minus 5 stars.

My stereo system consists of: (1) Marantz 67SE CD player, (2) ADCOM 2 ch power amp @ 125 watts/ch, and NHT SuperOnes speakers. Notice that I am not using a preamp or receiver - The 67SE has a variable line out that functions as a very adequate volume control. The system without the X-10D certainly sounds very good, but with the X-10D it sounds sensational. The sound is mellow, rich, sharp and very involving. Bass extension has improved considerably so the SuperOnes sound almost full range. The highs are sharp and clear without any harshness. I bought the unit on the strength of the Stereophile and HT magazine recommendations and have verified their assessment of this puppy. It should not be needed in a high end system, but in a mid-fi system it does improve the sound quality.

Bite! That's what I can say this adds to your system. In a good way, that is. More clarity to vocals, more distinction, more separation. Good stuff!

Technically this product just plain sucks. It adds coloration, grain, and other nasties that make even tube fans cringe. Better separation? Perhaps by taking off certain frequencies. However most of the time I noticed muddled sound. Heck, this thing is not even good for masking bright system. Save the money for a MSB The Link DAC. I give it 2 stars since there are people out there who like it.

Having purchased a used example for $75.00, I had no real preconceptions about this product. Upon adding it to my system, I had a difficult time hearing a difference. The real difference occurred when I disconnected it and listened to the same tracks. I did hear a smoothing of vocals, and a generally warmer sound. My system consists of a Sony ES CD Changer, Theta TLC jitter box, PS Audio DL-3 DAC, Adcom GSA-700 preamp/processor, Acurus A-150 amp, Magneplanar MMGs, and a Mirage 12" powered subwoofer.
I found that the X-10D was somewhat disc dependent. It seemed to make more of a difference on mediocre recordings, and less so on well-recorded discs. That being said, it would seem to be a good upgrade since more often than not my recordings seem to be mediocre at best. All in all, a very worthwhile addition to my system.

I've had my X-10D for a while now and have always thought it was a great addition to the system (Marantz CD-63, MF X-ACT, Krix Lyrix spkrs, Marantz SR82 receiver).
After recently upgrading to Epos ES-22 speakers and a Perreaux 200i amp (loverley) I started having reservations that the absolute limit of my source components was being bared by the better amp and speakers. I read that replacing the tubes in the X-10D could help. Now, with my Siemens ECC88's the X-10D is sounding much more neutral, with more space between instruments, clearer treble and deeper bass. Now, I don't feel the need to rush out and replace my source components.

Great product to a point, replace the tubes and re-evaluate!

Another tweak.....I thought.Hooking it up up between the Rotel CD (RCD965 CD LE)
and The Rotel Pre Amp (RC 850).

The music started to sing from my My Dynaudios(Audience 10 - 2 Way
Monitor alike speakers (connected to Rotel Power Amp RB 850)).

For me this little box made me listen to the music again. It was FUN !!!,
wanted to listen to all my CD's again. Relaxing presentation, sweatness and
bass extension, vocals with body.....very good little tweak.

This is my best 200$ investment ever. 5 Star.