Bottlehead Forum

Bottlehead Kits => Crack => Topic started by: lextek on January 20, 2012, 05:05:25 PM

Title: So Much Fun!
Post by: lextek on January 20, 2012, 05:05:25 PM: Just started working on my Crack kit today. Not to sound to corny, butnImam justnhaving a blastnbuilding this thing. So far I've justngot the top plate, transformer and endbell painted. Used Rustoleum hammertone and it looks great. Mounted the hardware on the plate and assembled the wood base. Very, nice woodworking. I'm sure this "simple" box is often overlooked. Alder is a beautiful wood.
At first I was intimidated about the electrical part. But after looking at the manual I feel very confident. Awesome instructions. I'll post some pictures later. Thanks Doc.
Title: Re: So Much Fun!
Post by: porcupunctis on January 20, 2012, 06:31:50 PM: Revel in the build! I get a real kick out of the building process, myself. Soon you'll be kicking back listening to some really awesome sounding music and the next thing you know, you'll be ordering another kit.

Sounds like your hooked, welcome aboard.
Title: Re: So Much Fun!
Post by: Jim R. on January 21, 2012, 04:10:08 AM: Lextek,

Yup, that's at least half the fun, at least for folks like me. I revel in the building and take my sweet time doing it, and often undo and redo things to get them just right.

Then when the buddies come over for a listen to the finished product the second phase of proud poppa syndrome kicks in and you'll feel like passing out cigars :-).

Have fun,

Jim
Title: Re: So Much Fun!
Post by: lextek on January 21, 2012, 12:05:34 PM: Finished. It sounds amazing with the Sennheiser HD600s! Still have to finish the base. Would like to move the headphone jack to the front. Also might put some "dummy" screwheads on the transformer endbell where there are no screws. I had a blast building and learning from this amp. Now I'll sit back and enjoy. I think my Valhalla is going up for sale soon.........
Title: Re: So Much Fun!
Post by: porcupunctis on January 21, 2012, 05:33:55 PM: Nice job on the build! You've got a great looking amp there.
Title: Re: So Much Fun!
Post by: Grainger49 on January 22, 2012, 06:34:40 AM: Nice tidy job too. I appreciate good wiring practices. I would move the B+ going to B5 farther away from the AC lugs if you are getting a little hum. Leave it if there is no hum.

If you put the headphone jack on the front you will probably end up skidding it backward when plugging in headsets... I think. If the jack isn't too tight you are good.
Title: Re: So Much Fun!
Post by: lextek on January 22, 2012, 09:11:37 AM: Quote from: Grainger49 on January 22, 2012, 06:34:40 AM
Nice tidy job too. I appreciate good wiring practices. I would move the B+ going to B5 farther away from the AC lugs if you are getting a little hum. Leave it if there is no hum.

If you put the headphone jack on the front you will probably end up skidding it backward when plugging in headsets... I think. If the jack isn't too tight you are good.
Thanks. No hum at all, dead quiet. Decided to leave the headphone jack where it is. Ordered a right angle Neutrik TRS connector for my Moon-Audio Blue Dragon cable. Easier
Title: Re: So Much Fun!
Post by: denti alligator on January 22, 2012, 10:18:29 AM: I've got the HD-600s too. What kind of difference does the Moon-Audio cable make?
Title: Re: So Much Fun!
Post by: mchurch on January 22, 2012, 02:05:42 PM: Really Nice work!! As noted good wiring practices and nice finish on the chassis plate.

Mike
Title: Re: So Much Fun!
Post by: Natural Sound on January 23, 2012, 05:05:44 AM: Nice job. I used the same paint on mine.
http://www.bottlehead.com/smf/index.php/topic,1222.0.html (http://www.bottlehead.com/smf/index.php/topic,1222.0.html)
Title: Re: So Much Fun!
Post by: lextek on January 24, 2012, 12:28:31 PM: Quote from: denti alligator on January 22, 2012, 10:18:29 AM
I've got the HD-600s too. What kind of difference does the Moon-Audio cable make?

The Blue Dragon opens up the sound some. Seems help with the detail.
Title: Re: So Much Fun!
Post by: lextek on January 28, 2012, 04:22:29 AM: Got around to swapping out the connector on the Blue Dragon cable for a right angle one. Much cleaner look with the Crack.