What Next? Crackatwoa is retired; Will a S3X/Mainline work for 300Z headhones?

[Necplur]

What should I do next?  I only have high impedance headphones: HD800S (open), ZMF Verite Closed (closed) and a pair of HD6XX's (to try modding).

Crack was SUPER fun to build and so enjoyable to listen to (Thanks again Paul for your help, I couldn't have done it without you.)  After reading many many many comments on this forum, I came to the conclusion while there is a ton I could do with the Crack (caps, diodes, potentiometer, speedball, etc.) that from Doc's own words (approximately):  You will never get to the level of the Crackatwoa.

The Crackatwoa is now retired (super bummed.)

So, what should I do next?  I was advised that maybe the S3X would be good choice.  Or should I do the Mainline? (seems a huge jump in difficulty, but I'm willing to give it a go (another reason I was hoping for the Crackatwoa, to ease into it...)) 

But will these work for my 300-ohm headphones?  Would they be an upgrade from my Crack (with soon-to-be-installed speedball)?  There was some comment here that "Crack/C2A are good for high impedance headphones, and sex and mainline for low impedance headphones."  Paul did not correct in his subsequent reply, so I'm guessing that user statement is correct (?)

Goal is to have fun and avoid the temptation of spending a marriage-risking amount on an Eddie Current or Donald North amp!

Thoughts are appreciated!  Thanks!

p.s. I use a Bifrost2 as my DAC, if that matters.

[Paul Birkeland]

The SEX amp would be a good idea for a next project.  It's a little more advanced than a Crack is, but not nearly as tough as the Crack-a-two-a.  On the off chance that you end up with some low impedance headphones some day, you'll be all set with an amp that can handle that duty!

The Mainline is a pretty decent bump up in difficulty (similar to a Crack-a-two-a), but is certainly doable if you can be disciplined about splitting the build up over a few days and not rushing through it.

[Necplur]

Thanks for the input, Paul!

What are your thoughts regarding fit:  My current collection of high-impedance headphones?  Would the SEX/Mainline work or would it be underpowered (even if the other components/design were of higher quality?)  BTW, I'm asking about the SEX and the Mainline, but I have no intention of (immediately) jumping to the Mainline.

[Doc B.]

Though we haven't officially announced it yet, it is true that the Crackatwoa is being retired. We are trying to cut back a bit on our workload these days and the best way to go forward wth that includes trimming some products that sell in limited quantities. There will be a few other retirements which we  will announce soon.

Bear in mind that I happen to like high impedance Sennheisers so all of our kit amps have been tuned and tweaked extensively with high impedance cans. Both S.E.X. and Mainline have plenty of power for your high impedance headphones. The S.E.X. puts out gobs of power for a headphone amp and easily runs most power hungry planars as well. The Mainline puts out a bit less power but but still plenty for your high impedance cans and less demanding planars, and it is a bit more more resolving and neutral sounding than the S.E.X. amp. S.E.X. falls nicely between the Crack and Mainline in terms of tonal balance.

[Necplur]

You guys rock.  Thanks so much!   I need to build something, so the S3X it is!