Bottlehead Forum
Bottlehead Kits => S.E.X. Kit => Topic started by: John EH on July 17, 2015, 04:51:36 AM
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I have Foreplay, Foreplay 3, Paramours, and the Original Sex kit modified with new iron. I find myself alone at work and just cranked it up. I'm hooked to a Dell laptop with Clementine a Fiio E-17 Dac and Insignia Speakers.
Sometimes I think the Sex amp is the most rich, detailed, with deepest soundstage and best separation of all the kits I've ever heard. In fact I think that more than just sometimes.
Major mod to the Amp is the addition of Auricaps and a DACT
I've had it for years and it may be the best sounding stereo I have. I need to take this thing back home maybe and bring something else to the office. I have the Sexy Speaker Kit with baffle correction as well just not here at work right now.
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I agree. The 2.0 version with MQ iron and c4s is amazing!
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I agree. The 2.0 version with MQ iron and c4s is amazing!
That's what I've got. Paired with my Klipsch Forte IIs and with a little extra drive from a Quickie, it's pretty damn nice!
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I have the C4S as well. I'm totally blown away. It's just hitting everything just right, nothing else does that, and I have a lot of gear.
It's a bargain.
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Tried some different film output caps in my Sex the Ampohms paper in wax gave a beautiful density of tone. Then a little while later picked up some Mundorf Supreme Silver Oils in a sale which gave the Sex a insane level resolution and pinpoint soundstage. I must admit to baulking a bit at the price and at first thought I had made a mistake as they where a little trebly but once they had 20 or so hours on then just wow...worth every penny.
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I have the 2.0 with the new 2.1 iron, C4S and Mundorf Supremes in the coupling and parafeed circuit. Incredible with my LCD2.2's.
Just got the HD800 (and have the HD650) and even with these high-impedence cans the SEX beats my Crack+Speedball+Alps+5998 combo in detail, dynamics and texture. Just a great amp!
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I have two Cracks also and I'm torn as to which is the better headphone amp but I almost never listen to the sex amp with cans on. I've found Sony MDR-V6 to be the sweet spot with SEX though.
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My S.E.X. still surprises me on a regular basis, i've built and experimented with many different amp circuits and nothing ever seems to recreate the magic of the S.E.X. as it just does everything so well. I think the magic ingredient is those output transformers.
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Stay tuned for news in a few months ... research continues!
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:o
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:o
What he said.
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Stay tuned for news in a few months ... research continues!
(https://forum.bottlehead.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ffiles.head-fi.org%2Fimages%2Fsmilies%2Fpopcorn.gif&hash=3f9fc724ef842ac6bc0cfa29652ed39317606b38)
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Stay tuned for news in a few months ... research continues!
Ummmmm subbed! Dammit - am planning a Mainline build once winter kicks in and the tan fades. The S.E.X amp is already a sonic treat - can't wait to see what's up your sleeves....
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Yeah, GREAT thread... I have been going back and forth in my head as to what to get but all of you have just finalized my choice.. Thank you, and I think G is right with his low power= more magic post.... AND then Sir Paul throws in some extra excitement to boot!!!! cant wait.....
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My guess is a S.E.X. 2.2 with similar updates to what the Stereomour II received. A shunt regulated power supply and a quieter filament supply would be very welcome additions :)
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What now?! Is Magnequest involved?
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Are the guys saying SEX is the best also used mainline?
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I'll just remind everyone that our philosophy has always been that there is no overall "best". There is only what is best for you in a given situation. Otherwise we would make just one kit instead of so many. You have to consider the source component, headphones/speakers, your listening taste, just to name a few things.
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I read the page, "Which amp is best for my headphoes" and wasn't sure if it was SEX or mainline. Ive ordered a pair of Audeze LCD-3 but it only mentions that both amps are good. Part of me is wondering if the mainline would be better because it will use a twisted pair rca cable giving it less distortion. Is this true?
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I'm not sure what you are talking about re cables. I listened to some Audezes a couple weeks ago and on the system we were listening to (Lampizator, some prototype Shunyata interconnect cables - maybe silver plated copper?) they sounded better with the S.E.X. amp than the Mainline. If I had to guess I would guess that this front end was a touch more aggressive on top than my own system and thus the mellowness of the S.E.X. was a good match. Audezes are very good but not suited to my particular taste as I find them to have a bit mid-prominent coloration, so I may not be the person to ask. The other listeners did however feel the S.E.X. amp was best with them as well.
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I may not be understanding wiring just right yet, sorry. ;D I was under the impression that you get more signal with a twisted pair cable than you would on the single ended cable thus concluding that you might here something more alone on just that. But then again I heard twisted pair can have more noise. I'm really new here so sorry, not trying to mislead. Thanks for replying about your Audeze experience. Just out of curiosity, what headphones are suited for the Doc? :D
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You don't get more signal from one kind of cable or the other. But if you run a single ended cable on a balanced output ofttimes you have to reconfigure the output in such a way that it only gives you half the level. That is not the case with the Mainline or S.E.X.
At this time I switch between lightly modded HD800s and K1000s.
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Is that because the mainline is also a single ended amp?
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Is that because the mainline is also a single ended amp?
The Mainline circuit topology is single ended, but it has both balanced and unbalanced outputs.
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You don't get more signal from one kind of cable or the other. But if you run a single ended cable on a balanced output ofttimes you have to reconfigure the output in such a way that it only gives you half the level. That is not the case with the Mainline or S.E.X.
At this time I switch between lightly modded HD800s and K1000s.
Just curious - is that the Anaxilus mod with the foam ring?
@glitches - I have paired both the HD-800 and Audeze LCD2.2(pre-fazor) with a S.E.X 2.0 with C4S upgrade along with upgraded output transformers to bring it closer to 2.1 standards. With it are some Mundorf Supreme capacitors in the signal path.
I also have a BH Crack + Speedball with some very nice tubes and a few miscellaneous upgrades.
IMO the HD-800 works very well with both amps, and my Audeze's work very well with the S.E.X amp. If I had an overall preference it's for the S.E.X amp in part for its more refined sound and in part for its ability to drive almost anything. The Crack is incredible for its price and endless mod/rolling options, but the S.E.X would be my current desert-island amp, and I think that's the jist of this thread.
If you're torn on which BH amp to go with (and I'm assuming this thread caught your eye because of that) my 2c would be to not worry so much about the cabling at this point. You have LCD-3's inbound, a TOTL set of cans for sure. I can tell you the S.E.X will drive them very very well. There is power a-plenty for planars. Add in the cost of the C4S upgrade and some cap upgrades (if you go that route) and you may find the Mainline is the way to go. There's a lot of truth in what many Head-Fi'ers have found: get the best and you save a lot of experiment-money along the way. For others that's a well-spent part of the journey, and certainly something many Bottleheader's have been through with no regrets at all - just the enjoyment of DIY and upgrading your way to your own personal goals.
Wish I could tell you if the Mainline is a better choice for those LCD-3's, but I haven't heard it yet. I can only say the S.E.X is a great pairing with 2.2's and any other can I've thrown at them. Don't get caught up in the cabling thing.
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Yes, the Anax mod.
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Yes, the Anax mod.
Cheers - haven't gone that route yet but I will. The straight-up HD-800 hit my treble-sensitive ears like a wall of yikes at first glance. EQ'd them at first, paired them with an overly-warm Gustard H-10 next, and gradually weaned myself off both. Back to the Crack and S.E.X with them un-EQ'd and rarely cringe lol. But....as much as I love their detail and other plusses they were hot off the shelf. I come from the dark side (LCD's, 650's etc) and I credit brain burn-in, nothing else.
Now well-adjusted (?!) I love them with my Crack or SEX, and the Mainline crowd is swearing by them. The Anax mod is coming, and the Mainline :)
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I love them with my Crack or SEX, and the Mainline crowd is swearing by them. The Anax mod is coming, and the Mainline :)
There is a nice progression through the three amps each offering a different listening experience.
The Mainline HD800 is a superb combo I have never found the need to mod them myself but may try the Anax mod at some point even if its purely out of curiosity.
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There is a nice progression through the three amps each offering a different listening experience.
The Mainline HD800 is a superb combo I have never found the need to mod them myself but may try the Anax mod at some point even if its purely out of curiosity.
Doing the Anax 2.0 today with a little foam and some kinda beaded open stuff used for lining toolbox drawers - similar to the pics here: http://www.changstar.com/index.php/topic,497.msg9987.html#msg9987 (http://www.changstar.com/index.php/topic,497.msg9987.html#msg9987)
If it alters them too much I'll scale it back to the original mod with just the foam ring / trapezoid.
In the meantime, the S.E.X. is killer with the pre-fazor LCD2.2's - just a great experience.
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I just had to bump this thread.
I'm in my office where the SEX is now playing signal from my old SIRIUS car tuner through some NHT SuperZeros. I turned around to see who was walking in, whistling along with the blues tune playing, just to find out it was the recording.
If it isn't the best kit of all it must be pretty d^*n close!
Thanks again Doc and crew,
Karl
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and it does it with ONLY 2 inexpensive tubes... Cant get too much better of a design...
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Doing the Anax 2.0 today with a little foam and some kinda beaded open stuff used for lining toolbox drawers - similar to the pics here: http://www.changstar.com/index.php/topic,497.msg9987.html#msg9987 (http://www.changstar.com/index.php/topic,497.msg9987.html#msg9987)
If it alters them too much I'll scale it back to the original mod with just the foam ring / trapezoid.
In the meantime, the S.E.X. is killer with the pre-fazor LCD2.2's - just a great experience.
I used my S.E.X. to drive LCD-2.2 pre Fazors while I had them and it rocks. The Mainline still offers some compelling arguments as an "upgrade", but the S.E.X. is brilliant. Now I just need to get the hum out of mine to see if I prefer the Mainline or the S.E.X. with my Nighthawks
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I used my S.E.X. to drive LCD-2.2 pre Fazors while I had them and it rocks. The Mainline still offers some compelling arguments as an "upgrade", but the S.E.X. is brilliant. Now I just need to get the hum out of mine to see if I prefer the Mainline or the S.E.X. with my Nighthawks
Hi Loquah - been out of the loop for a bit - had a house fire back in September - just back to normal now.
The S.E.X has done brilliantly with everything I've thrown at it, and the LCD-2.2c is my main pairing with it.
Finally, at last, as promised to myself as my winter project, I just this evening completed a Mainline and am getting some initial early impressions with the HD-800's. Stock build except for some Mundorf Supremes in the 10uF coupling role. Waaay early but initial impressions are already very good and things are only 8hrs or so in. I am now the proud owner of a Crack + SB, S.E.X + C4S and a Mainline, many thanks to your reviews and to the braniacs (you know who you are!) behind the BH line.
Hope you track down that hum!
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Mainline + HD800 is a superb combo congrats
Nice Sex moment report, I found our old sony TV had a optical out on the back the other day and as the new dac has three optical inputs which is proving handy thought I would hook it up. After listening to Eva Cassidy for many years I was looking forward to watching the dvd Night Bird (live Blues Alley performance recording) so a great chance to try out the Sex and the Fostex's all hooked up to the TV for the first time. Well all worked just great but the best bit of all was watching my three month old daughter in the mirror as her eyes slowly closed and she drifted off to sleep on my shoulder as Eva sung Over The Rainbow :)
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Mainline + HD800 is a superb combo congrats
Nice Sex moment report, I found our old sony TV had a optical out on the back the other day and as the new dac has three optical inputs which is proving handy thought I would hook it up. After listening to Eva Cassidy for many years I was looking forward to watching the dvd Night Bird (live Blues Alley performance recording) so a great chance to try out the Sex and the Fostex's all hooked up to the TV for the first time. Well all worked just great but the best bit of all was watching my three month old daughter in the mirror as her eyes slowly closed and she drifted off to sleep on my shoulder as Eva sung Over The Rainbow :)
Awwww that's an awesome moment Jamie :) and a great audiophile recording for sure - I have a nice vinyl rip of it.
The Mainline now has 30hrs or so of cooking, and my somewhat-neglected 650's are smiling. Definitely more detailed and nuanced than the S.E.X. Not quite enough power for the LCD 2.2's on lower-level tracks without a bit of pre-amp, but the higher impedance Senns (650/800) are both loving it. I'm sure it would have no issues with the more efficient LCD models.
All three of these BH amps are just amazing bang-for-the-buck. I'd give the nod to the S.E.X for it's ability to pair well with almost anything, the Crack for it's endless rollability, and the Mainline for technical excellence and euphonics. Can't wait to get some more time in on the Mainline, but so far it's just what I want: punchy, detailed, musical and revealing.
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Stay tuned for news in a few months ... research continues!
I'm slowly saving my pennies up for one of these. Any updates on the research?
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Wow - I had forgotten that post :^)
Last summer we were thinking of a 20th anniversary commemorative edition of the original SEX amp (monoblocks with parallel output tubes). I was hoping to incorporate most of what we've learned over the last couple decades. That plan kind of fizzled out - couldn't see that many customers for something that would cost more than the Stereomour and still not sound quite as good.
We might have to do a minor update of the SEX in the future just to allow for some components that are are getting hard to find, but the circuit itself is unlikely to change much.
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Wow - I had forgotten that post :^)
Last summer we were thinking of a 20th anniversary commemorative edition of the original SEX amp (monoblocks with parallel output tubes). I was hoping to incorporate most of what we've learned over the last couple decades. That plan kind of fizzled out - couldn't see that many customers for something that would cost more than the Stereomour and still not sound quite as good.
We might have to do a minor update of the SEX in the future just to allow for some components that are are getting hard to find, but the circuit itself is unlikely to change much.
Thanks Paul. I planned to start with the S.E.X as my first trial of tubes and use that to decide where to "move up" from there. I agree that there's no sense in making it dearer than the higher models.
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Thanks Paul. I planned to start with the S.E.X as my first trial of tubes and use that to decide where to "move up" from there. I agree that there's no sense in making it dearer than the higher models.
Perfect! That has been exactly the rationale for the Single-Ended eXperimenter's (SEX) amp in the first place.
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Just finished the build of the 2.1. My third build (Crack and Stereomour). What a thrill it is to turn it on and ..." Oh my god it works ". Never thought it would sound this good with 5 minutes of burn in. No hum, thank god. It's so clear!! Building this stuff is such fun, and at the end of it you get to listen music like you've never heard it before. Time to order some Ether C's. Great amp...thank you BH!
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There is something alluring about dissimilar triodes. My first experience with dissimilar tubes was a 6T9 compactron tube and a circuit in Nuts and Volts magazine. That amp resides in a friends wood shop with a nice set of homemade speakers. It still sounds great but the S.E.X. amp is better in every way.
It should be noted that the 6T9 is a triode-pentode and the 6DN7 is a dual triode so it isn't an apples to apples comparison.
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There is something alluring about dissimilar triodes. My first experience with dissimilar tubes was a 6T9 compactron tube and a circuit in Nuts and Volts magazine. That amp resides in a friends wood shop with a nice set of homemade speakers. It still sounds great but the S.E.X. amp is better in every way.
It should be noted that the 6T9 is a triode-pentode and the 6DN7 is a dual triode so it isn't an apples to apples comparison.
What do you mean by "dissimilar triodes"? Is this specific to the design, or just the choice of tubes?
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What do you mean by "dissimilar triodes"? Is this specific to the design, or just the choice of tubes?
The 6DN7 has two triode sections in one glass envelope. Section 1 and section 2 are different in size, amplification gain, voltage, current, power dissipation etc. Therefore the sections are "dissimilar." In the S.E.X. amp the first section (the smaller one) is used as a voltage amplifier and the second section (the larger one) is a power amplifier. The tube was originally designed for use as a vertical oscillator / vertical deflection amplifier in televisions but it works excellent for audio use as well.
http://www.nj7p.org/Tubes/PDFs/Frank/093-GE/6DN7.pdf (http://www.nj7p.org/Tubes/PDFs/Frank/093-GE/6DN7.pdf)
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The 6DN7 has two triode sections in one glass envelope. Section 1 and section 2 are different in size, amplification gain, voltage, current, power dissipation etc. Therefore the sections are "dissimilar." In the S.E.X. amp the first section (the smaller one) is used as a voltage amplifier and the second section (the larger one) is a power amplifier. The tube was originally designed for use as a vertical oscillator / vertical deflection amplifier in televisions but it works excellent for audio use as well.
http://www.nj7p.org/Tubes/PDFs/Frank/093-GE/6DN7.pdf (http://www.nj7p.org/Tubes/PDFs/Frank/093-GE/6DN7.pdf)
Thanks for the explanation. I guess the different specs of each section determine which function they are allocated. It's interesting that they can be used for other than the original purpose (video deflection).
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Sad to hear that the S.E.X is being discontinued. After having my crack for a few days, I just knew that I had to move up to the S.E.X. Different sounds, but being a planar guy at heart, it made loads of sense. It never disappointed me. The power delivery was always on the money, and it is musical as hell.