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The X-Can v2 is a well-liked older Musical Fidelity headphone amp, and at £150 this listing sits just above your £149 75th percentile and well above the £124 median, so it reads as slightly ambitious rather than a bargain. It is not wildly off-market, but it’s priced at the top end of the recent GBP comparables, so I’d want something reassuring in return.
What keeps it appealing is the reputation: it’s a punchy, musical-sounding amp with real vintage charm, and it can still be a very satisfying step up from basic headphone outputs if it’s healthy and properly powered. The upside is best if it’s genuinely clean, original, and includes the correct PSU and any box/paperwork; at this age, missing the power supply or any signs of tube-related wear matter more than cosmetic fuss.
Independent perspective — not a price guarantee. Always verify condition, accessories and provenance before purchase.
Musical Fidelity, a British hi-fi icon, traces its roots to 1982 when clarinettist and audio enthusiast Antony Michaelson founded the company in London. Disillusioned with the sound quality of existing gear after his stint at predecessor Michaelson & Austin, he handcrafted his debut product—a minimalist preamplifier dubbed "The Preamp"—on his kitchen table. Paired with the quirky Dr. Thomas power amplifier, these designs disrupted the market with their bold aesthetics and sonic punch, establishing Michaelson’s experimental ethos from the outset.
The brand has long centered on amplifiers as its cornerstone, spanning integrated, power, phono, headphone, and preamp models renowned for Class-AB topology and innovative touches like Nuvistor tubes. It expanded into streaming players, DACs, CD players, Bluetooth receivers, all-in-one systems, and even headphones and turntables, always prioritizing musicality over convention. Unconventional industrial designs, from curved heatsinks to sculptural panels, became signatures, influencing competitors.
Positioned firmly in the high-end arena, Musical Fidelity commands respect among discerning audiophiles for its value-driven performance and soulful sound. Iconic models like the A1 and F-series endure as collector favorites, blending accessibility with premium engineering. Acquired by Austria’s Audio Tuning in 2018, it continues evolving under new stewardship while honoring its heritage as a boutique force in British hi-fi.
See all Musical Fidelity listings on RADAR.
