Bottlehead Forum
Bottlehead Kits => Crack => Topic started by: wolfetan44 on May 24, 2013, 02:09:37 PM
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Could a first timer build this amp, such as myself? Any people that built this amp as their first kit, and have thoughts/experiances to share? Thanks! :D
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Most Crack amp builders are first timers.
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I would go for it! Take your time and enjoy the process. Great support here if (when?) you need it.
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Most Crack amp builders are first timers.
Yes, but do they really have no previous experiance?
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Most Crack amp builders are first timers.
Yes, but do they really have no previous experiance?
At what? Seriously, why not take some control of your destiny and build something with your own hands? There is no greater satisfaction than having made something yourself. The worst thing that can happen is that it doesn't work the first time and you need a bit of help getting it running. Which is what this forum is for. As far as I know the only guys who might have kit that isn't working are guys who didn't take advantage of this community's support. And most builders have their kit working from the get-go, or maybe need just a little bit of help sorting things out.
Building these kits is about so much more than buying some audio stuff for instant gratification. Not only do you get gear that sounds as good as anything you can buy pre-made, you gain valuable life experience. Build one and you will want to make more of your own gear. It's a very satisfying pursuit.
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To add to what Doc B says ... If you build it, you can also fix it if ever required. You can fix anything on this amp with the exception of a bad power transformer (which would be pretty rare). Every part needed for repair is readily available either through Bottlehead as well as dozens of online vendors. It's also upgradeable/modifiable should you ever desire. Only thing I would recommend is some basic soldering practice before starting on the amp and using a soldering station with adjustable temp. (not expensive) instead of a cheap pencil iron. Neither is necessary either but would probably make for a neater build the first time out. This wasnt my first kit or build but it would have been a real good choice to be the first.
Go for it.
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Most Crack amp builders are first timers.
Yes, but do they really have no previous experiance?
At what? Seriously, why not take some control of your destiny and build something with your own hands? There is no greater satisfaction than having made something yourself. The worst thing that can happen is that it doesn't work the first time and you need a bit of help getting it running. Which is what this forum is for. As far as I know the only guys who might have kit that isn't working are guys who didn't take advantage of this community's support. And most builders have their kit working from the get-go, or maybe need just a little bit of help sorting things out.
Building these kits is about so much more than buying some audio stuff for instant gratification. Not only do you get gear that sounds as good as anything you can buy pre-made, you gain valuable life experience. Build one and you will want to make more of your own gear. It's a very satisfying pursuit.
I'll think about it, thanks guys:D
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well said Dan! - footnote - that was, I believe and excerpt from chapter 10 of Bottleheadology titled "Don't be a dork, just do it"
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You can definitely do it. Read my post here: http://www.bottlehead.com/smf/index.php/topic,4232.msg39266.html#msg39266 (http://www.bottlehead.com/smf/index.php/topic,4232.msg39266.html#msg39266)
In that post is a link to a useful project to practice on before you tackle the kit (not necessary, but if you're going to practice, you might as well build something useful while you're doing it, and that crossfeed project only takes about 15-30 minutes to put together - no further practice is required).
Best regards,
Adam
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There are always a number of posts in the Crack folder about build troubles. There are far more kits that are built that work the first time but most of those builders don't post.
The instructions are clear, there are many pictures, one for every step. Taking your time, checking your solder joints and verifying the components before soldering them are three steps that will make a difference.
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I just need more solder, a lot more. I'm about out :-[
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I just posted about solder in this thread:
http://www.bottlehead.com/smf/index.php/topic,4269.msg39810.html#msg39810
I can't recommend this stuff enough!
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I just posted about solder in this thread:
http://www.bottlehead.com/smf/index.php/topic,4269.msg39810.html#msg39810
I can't recommend this stuff enough!
I can't find where to buy, the Cardas website doesn't have a buy option.
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You are not alone. I had a problem. Here is a link:
http://cardas.com/solder.php
Looking at the page there is no pricing. So it has to be bought from retailers. Try Audio Adviser or Music Direct. Both are the name plus .com. The increment is 100g.
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FYI,
Cardas Quad Eutectic is $24 from parts connexion 100 grams.
-Kevin
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You are not alone. I had a problem. Here is a link:
http://cardas.com/solder.php
Looking at the page there is no pricing. So it has to be bought from retailers. Try Audio Adviser or Music Direct. Both are the name plus .com. The increment is 100g.
How many feet is 100g?
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More than a year's worth? You could ask one of the sellers and they will give you a good answer.
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I'll be buying a BH Crack one of these days:D. Need to buy solder too:P
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Wait. After reading the sample pages of the manual, I have no clue what it means, because I do not know all the vocabulary. Will the parts come labeled? Or no?
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All of the parts are labeled and measurable. Resistors have colored stripes on them to identify what they are (you can also measure the with a $10 multimeter), the capacitors have the values printed right on them, and the diodes are distinctive enough to not be too concerned (in this kit at least) about using the wrong one in the wrong place.
-PB
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Definitely get a multimeter. Check each resistor with it before you install it. Well worth it.
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Definitely get a multimeter. Check each resistor with it before you install it. Well worth it.
I have one.All of the parts are labeled and measurable. Resistors have colored stripes on them to identify what they are (you can also measure the with a $10 multimeter), the capacitors have the values printed right on them, and the diodes are distinctive enough to not be too concerned (in this kit at least) about using the wrong one in the wrong place.
-PB
Thing is, I don't know ANY of the vocabulary.
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Believe me when I say you don't need to know the vocabulary. Everything will be explained or self-explanatory when you get it. When I built my Crack, I basically had zero electronics experience. I am a lawyer. All you need to do is read carefully, look at the pictures, and do exactly what you are told. Don't try to interpret or read into the instructions, just do exactly what it says and you will be fine. The instructions are as comprehensive as the following instructions on how to boil water:
1. Open the door to the second kitchen cabinet from the right.
2. Remove the 5 quart saucepan (silver, with a copper bottom and black handles).
3. Place saucepan in sink.
4. Open cold water tap by rotating handle clockwise 90 degrees.
5. When saucepan is three-quarters full, close cold water tap by rotating handle counter-clockwise 90 degrees.
6. Remove saucepan from sink and place on large stove burner.
7. Turn on heat for that burner to "high" ("9" or "10" if controls are numerically marked).
8. Allow water to heat until it begin to boil (water will be rapidly churning as large - not small - bubbles form).
If you can follow those directions, you can build a Crack.
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Thing is, I don't know ANY of the vocabulary.
The pictures will help you fill that in. Along with that, you can always refer to the terminal numbers listed in the manual, most of the time there will only be one or two components attached to each.
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Something just hit me. The Crack doesn't play well with planar-magnetics does it?
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No. Go for the S.E.X.
Best regards,
Adam
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No. Go for the S.E.X.
Best regards,
Adam
Damn. Well, I'm going to sleep on it for a couple of days and see what I want to do. Thanks for all the help guys, will report back.
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Thing is, I don't know ANY of the vocabulary.
The pictures will help you fill that in. Along with that, you can always refer to the terminal numbers listed in the manual, most of the time there will only be one or two components attached to each.
Ditto what PB said! The crack was my absolute first diy project aside from a cable or two, and the clear and detailed assembly manual and macro photos of each and every step make it totally beginner friendly. It is the paint by numbers of amp kits.
Cutting and stripping the wires is a minor chore, and I would echo the advice of others who suggest that you do all that in advance of any soldering. (For my speedball, I cut, stripped and scotch taped each piece of wire next to the relevant steps on each page of a print out of the manual.) The final product is just wonderful if you have high impedance dynamic headphones!