Crack or SEX or both?

[Loquah]

I'm ordering a SEX kit soon and was wondering what people's thoughts are on the question of whether there's any benefit in having the Crack and the SEX? I like the versatility of the SEX being able to drive lower impedance cans so out of the 2 it would be my preference.

For those who have (or have heard) both, is there any benefit in keeping my Crack (non-speedball)?

[audiophileboss]

I have both. Crack is phenominal only with the speedball and some tube rolling, so save your money on the s.E.X. Kit and just get the speedball. Under 100ohms arnt too many good cans anyway

[Loquah]

I have both. Crack is phenominal only with the speedball and some tube rolling, so save your money on the s.E.X. Kit and just get the speedball. Under 100ohms arnt too many good cans anyway

Thanks for the speedball recommendation, audiophileboss.

I wish that were completely true about good cans over 100ohm. I have 160 ohm FA-011 Limited Editions that don't pair particularly well with the Crack and I am planning to buy HE-500s in the future which also don't pair well. Unless you want HD series Senns or Beyers, everything else seems better suited to the SEX.

I forgot to mention before that I have a Crack (no speedball) currently driving HD650s.

Any further thoughts from anyone? Is there real benefit in keeping (and speedballing) my Crack as well as having the SEX?

[Paul Birkeland]

If you're just driving headphones, the Mainline will far outperform either the SEX amp or the Crack, regardless of headphone impedance.

Additionally, the cost of a Speedball'd Crack + SEX amp is about the cost of a Mainline. 

If you're interested in driving just about any headphone under the sun, as well as speakers periodically, the SEX is the perfect choice.

-PB

[Loquah]

If you're just driving headphones, the Mainline will far outperform either the SEX amp or the Crack, regardless of headphone impedance.

Additionally, the cost of a Speedball'd Crack + SEX amp is about the cost of a Mainline. 

If you're interested in driving just about any headphone under the sun, as well as speakers periodically, the SEX is the perfect choice.

-PB

Thanks PB. I'd love the Mainline, but it'll be a future purchase I think, not this time.

This question may be redundant because I feel like I'm too attached to my Crack, but would you suggest keeping the Crack AND the SEX or is the Crack likely to become obsolete with the SEX in town?

[adamct]

There is no question that Paul and Doc know the answer to this better than just about anyone, but I have to argue for not getting rid of the Crack too quickly. I am about to build both a Smack (discontinued) and a S.E.X. 2.1., but I don't see me getting rid of my Crack any time soon. With high impedance headphones, and Sennheisers in particular, I consider the Crack a small wonder. I have yet to hear a better amp when paired with my HD800s and HD600s. As for the HD650s...I have owned (and sold) three pairs. Each time, I sold them because I found the HD600s to be more transparent. I find the HD650s to have treble roll-off, or at least muffled, inarticulate highs. Yet this is one of the areas where the Crack excels. If any amp can wring the best from the HD650s, I suspect it is the Crack. The Mainline and the S.E.X. may be better amps overall (I will reserve judgment on the S.E.X. until I have built mine and can do a first-hand comparison), but I find it hard to imagine that either will complement the HD650s as well as the Crack.

I suggest you build the S.E.X. before making a final decision on your Crack.

Best regards,
Adam

[Doc B.]

Sounds like you should keep the Crack, at least long enough to compare them yourself. A crack seems pretty easy to sell if you decide to keep one amp. I have put both amps side at shows and the opinions split pretty much in half about them.

And yeah, like PB says, Mainline is a whole 'nother level of the game.