Some problems with the right channel - Crack + Speedball!

Aeolus Kratos · 3548

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Offline Aeolus Kratos

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Hi everyone, I'm totally new here.

I just recently bought a Bottlehead Crack + Speedball installed from this ad: https://www.head-fi.org/t/667725/bottlehead-crack-amp-sold-but-extras-available

I've been waiting for almost two weeks because of shipping, because I'm not in the USA. I received this this morning. And I noticed some issues with this Crack.

When I plugged the HD650 in right after plugging the power cord in, I heard no hum, noise. But as soon as the tubes are burnt and become hot, I heard pretty loud hum on the right channel, this hum does not change if you turn up or down volume. And when I played music, the sound coming from right channel was somehow louder than the left channel, and this leads to the overall sound is unbalanced ( the vocals are at 1 o' clock direction instead of 12 o' clock ) . I don't know anything about the DIY at all. So please tell me what's wrong with my Crack? Attached here is the build of my Crack, which is built by the seller I bought it from.

Thanks in advance! Looking forward to hearing from you.

(https://forum.bottlehead.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fcdn.head-fi.org%2Fe%2Fe2%2F900x900px-LL-e25d0edc_e911bf3a_DSC_09951_01.jpeg&hash=0a662fb35a1159fb58685e2376ed255ecf9a6eb9)



Offline Paul Birkeland

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Reply #1 on: June 26, 2013, 04:19:58 AM
Hello Aeolus,

Did the seller provide a copy of the manual with the amplifier?

Also, do you have a digital volt meter? (multimeter)

-PB

Paul "PB" Birkeland

Bottlehead Grunt & The Repro Man


Offline Aeolus Kratos

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Reply #2 on: June 26, 2013, 04:26:37 AM
Hello Aeolus,

Did the seller provide a copy of the manual with the amplifier?

Also, do you have a digital volt meter? (multimeter)

-PB
No, he didn't. But I think the manuals are identical with all the Cracks and they are available online?

Unfortunately, I don't have a multimeter, but I think I can borrow one :)

Thanks for your reply.

-AK



Offline Aeolus Kratos

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Reply #3 on: June 26, 2013, 05:58:44 AM
And after a while, now the right channel nearly die, I can hardly hear just a little from the right channel, the sound is on the left side totally ( at 10 o' clock direction ) :(

I think I should take this amp to the audio shop :(



Offline Doc B.

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Reply #4 on: June 26, 2013, 08:49:17 AM
From the Head Fi post it appears that you are the third owner. We can sell you the manual for $15, however I think you should talk to the seller about paying to get it repaired. I will use this opportunity to mention that we now offer a flat rate repair service. The price is $125, which includes labor and replacement parts except for transformers and inductors. We ship you box to ship the amp to us in. When it is ready we let you know the return shipping price and upon payment of the shipping it is sent on its way to you.

http://www.bottlehead.com/store.php/products/repair-service-472

Dan "Doc B." Schmalle
President For Life
Bottlehead Corp.


Offline 2wo

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Reply #5 on: June 26, 2013, 01:17:38 PM
What is your mains voltage? If this came from Canada it would be wired for 120 VAC

John S.


Offline Aeolus Kratos

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Reply #6 on: June 29, 2013, 04:21:22 AM
What is your mains voltage? If this came from Canada it would be wired for 120 VAC
I'm using 110v VAC for this Crack, and I think it should work for 120v without problems?
From the Head Fi post it appears that you are the third owner. We can sell you the manual for $15, however I think you should talk to the seller about paying to get it repaired. I will use this opportunity to mention that we now offer a flat rate repair service. The price is $125, which includes labor and replacement parts except for transformers and inductors. We ship you box to ship the amp to us in. When it is ready we let you know the return shipping price and upon payment of the shipping it is sent on its way to you.

http://www.bottlehead.com/store.php/products/repair-service-472
Thanks Doc.
I just brought the Crack to the audio shop for fixing, and the problem was the pre 12AU7 tube. Its channels are not balanced. When they replaced another 12AU7 tube and the Crack worked just fine, I much relief now :)