From rohanbaker@rabbit.com.au Sat Mar 10 22:54:56 2001
Subject:Re: Tweaking the XK-2

G'day Guys,

I've been watching this thread with interest, as I own the H-Z XB-1, which is essentially the XK-2 with a few cosmetic differences (read downgraded keyboard, leslie sim etc. Sonically its a little beter than the XM-1).

I know a lot of members here have posted the virtues of the Korg and Voce over the XK-2 but the problem in my case is that the price of the new CX-3 is A$5400. This figure is correct, and puts it a whole A$2200 above the XK-2 (sells for A$3200) and A$2900 above the XB-1 (A$2500 what I paid). This price also puts it in the legue of an A100 or similar with leslie, so if I was going to speng the big ones, then I would opt for the real McKoy over the clone. I have never heard of anyone stocking the Voce in Melbourne, so getting one in just to audition is next to hopeless, unless you were prepared to lose a deposit. You can probably guess that I am in no hurry to upgrade the XB-1 as $$$ are tight!! (as now doubt, they are everywhere).

I currently don't run the XB-1 through a leslie (I use the onboard sim), but the goal is to do so by the end of the year, with a 122, 145 or 147. It won't be a new 122 as they retail here for A$3000+ and a used one in good order runs from A$1000 or so. I will need the XLD-1 leslie conversion kit (digital 11 pin leslie conector in the XB-1 as in the XM-1) or a leslie preamp to connect to the XB, and here is my question (AT LAST!!! :-))

In order to improve the sound of the XB-1 I would be considering running the signal through a tube preamp (something like the ART Dual MP) and possibly an EQ stage. But is it possible to take the signal from the 11 pin connector, run it through the preamp/EQ and mix the signal back into the XLD-1?? Would it be a better option if I were to run the Preamp/EQ, to run the leslie from a leslie preamp instead?? Or, am I barking up the wrong tree, and need to look at another configuration??

Regards

Rohan Baker

PS. I think the Aussie dollar just jumped off the peer, that's half my trouble!!!!