Crack vs S.E.X. 2.0

[denti alligator]

I'm wondering how different (better? or just different?) the Crack would sound next to the SEX 2.0. I have Sennheiser HD600s and my SEX has all-nickel MQ iron, if that makes a difference with the 'phones...

[denti alligator]

Anyone?

[adamct]

With HD600s, I would expect the Crack to outperform the S.E.X.

The HD600s are some of my favorite headphones, and they really take on a completely different character with an OTL amp like the Crack (and the Crack is a particularly good OTL amp, especially with the Speedball).

The S.E.X. is WOT and better with low impedance headphones, and power-hungry planars in particular.

[denti alligator]

Thanks. So now the question is how much better the Mainline would improve on the Crack. three times better? 

I ask because the Crack deal is tempting, even though I ought to save my funds for the DAC.

[adamct]

I don't have a Mainline, so I can't say. Doc has said several times that he finds the Mainline outperforms the Crack with the HD800s. This may be true, but I cannot oversell how well the Crack meshes with the HD600s (and HD800s). People around here are probably tired of me saying it, but I have tried amps costing over $2,500 (with tubes) that the Crack easily outperformed with the HD600s and HD800s. The same is true of amps I've owned that cost $1,700, $1,500, etc. right on down the chain. There is just a special synergy with high impedance Sennheiser and Beyer cans.

I suspect the Bottlehead DAC plus Crack would make you happier than a Mainline by itself.

Regards,
Adam

[denti alligator]

Still would love to hear the Crack next to my SEX... But I think it's probably wisest to save for the DAC. Some day I'll get a Crack. But I want the Paramounts and BeePre, too! And the Tode. And the Eros.

Damn!