New Crack Head

[drewh1]

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. 

[Nathan]

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

[drewh1]

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.

[drewh1]

Nathan - just read your post on speedball - very helpful.

[drewh1]

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

[Grainger49]

Drew, check the Crack FAQ sticky.  There is a way to get the low volume higher on the pot.

[drewh1]

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!

[drewh1]

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.

[adydula]

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

[drewh1]

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!