Bottlehead Forum

Bottlehead Kits => Crack => Topic started by: drewh1 on August 15, 2015, 02:20:57 PM

Title: New Crack Head
Post by: drewh1 on August 15, 2015, 02:20:57 PM
Just finished my Crack - 4 1/2 hours, everything worked the first time!  it is dead silent with my senn 600's. Definitely the best sound I have had out of the 600's, I have always found the Senn's to be a bit lifeless with other sources. I am finding it to be a little muddled in the mid range area right now but I have only listened for 10 or 15 minutes, I'll have to give it some time.

I would also prefer a bit more definition in the upper ranges, maybe after spending some time, I'll go through the tube rolling posts and see what tubes might complement my listening preferences.

All in all a really fun project, kit was perfect and instructions absolutely spot on. It is a nice complement to my Stereomour. Gonna try to stay away from mods for awhile and just enjoy. 
Title: Re: New Crack Head
Post by: Nathan on August 16, 2015, 12:25:54 AM
If you want to stay away from mods, here are 2 ideas. Get a speedball and tubes. I'm pleased with a Tung Sol 5998 and a  Mullard CV4003. I did tubes before speedball and was quite pleased
Title: Re: New Crack Head
Post by: drewh1 on August 18, 2015, 08:21:00 AM
Cool - thanks Nathan! I'll check out the Mullard for sure.  I have had good results with NOS tubes on my Stereomour.  I'll have to read more about Speedball and see what sort of improvements others have experienced.

drew.
Title: Re: New Crack Head
Post by: drewh1 on August 18, 2015, 08:22:38 AM
Nathan - just read your post on speedball - very helpful.
Title: Re: New Crack Head
Post by: drewh1 on August 21, 2015, 11:43:34 AM
Just wanted to post a quick update. Although I have never been a big believer in electronic gear breaking in, I have definitely heard a distinct improvement in sound afre running things for few hours. Sound is cleaner and instrument placement more precise. At low vo!umesi have a slight channel imbalance, probably the pot.  It is a great sounding piece, sounds great with the 600s  now I have to have m
ore so I ordered a speedball and an upgrade to the pot
Title: Re: New Crack Head
Post by: Grainger49 on August 21, 2015, 12:04:52 PM
Drew, check the Crack FAQ sticky.  There is a way to get the low volume higher on the pot.
Title: Re: New Crack Head
Post by: drewh1 on August 21, 2015, 12:47:13 PM
Hi Grainger - I saw that. It will probably help.  With my headphones, i can only turn the pot up about a 1/4 to get listening volume. Thanks!
Title: Re: New Crack Head
Post by: drewh1 on August 22, 2015, 09:17:25 AM
Wow digikey is fast. Just installed the PEC pot.  Positive improvement. Balance is perfect at any volume.  Now waiting for a 50s bugleboy 12au7. I have read they favor high frequency.  Should be perfect match for the HD 600s.
Title: Re: New Crack Head
Post by: adydula on August 23, 2015, 09:03:28 AM
I have a bugleboy Amperex NOS and its very nice, but there are lots of good tubes out there, a Sylvania 5963 is just as nice as the BB, but there is something to say having a tube with a little figure blowing an instrument..has to sound good!!

All the best
Alex
Title: Re: New Crack Head
Post by: drewh1 on August 23, 2015, 11:20:55 AM
Alex. Insaw your other post on the bb before reading this. I am sure there are other fine tubes out there  I am suckered by the romanticism of old tube.  In this case they don't cost that much more than new anyway!