Crack around the world !

Grainger49 · **Reply #30 on:** March 13, 2014, 12:12:18 AM

I'm currently covered under my wife's insurance. In October I get Medicare and it will be much cheaper. However, it needs something supplemental.

Luckily I'm pretty healthy for my age.

Guy 13 · **Reply #31 on:** March 13, 2014, 12:35:28 AM

Quote from: Kris on March 12, 2014, 06:12:54 AM

Quote from: Guy 13 on March 11, 2014, 07:50:08 PM

That's a long wait.
What should I do in the mean time ? ? ?

Guy 13

Not sure if you should do this in mean time, but you may consider upgrading your stock cable that goes with HD650. I built my own for my 650s and I'm really happy with the results.

Hi Kris.
Any suggestions where to buy the stuff to do it myself
or where I can buy a plug and play cable for my HD-650.
I know that it's impossible to quantify the increase in sound quality,
but from I read the cable upgrande run in the range of 150 USD
would that equal to 25% better sound.
I know, I know, iot does not work like that.
But if I spend 150 USD which is about 1/3 of the price of the headphones
I think I should get 30% better sound.
I know, I know, it does not work like that.
If I invest hard earned $ $ $ I want to hear improvement
and not just suble.
Well, any suggestions?

Guy 13

Kris · **Reply #32 on:** March 13, 2014, 02:31:11 AM

Quote from: Guy 13 on March 11, 2014, 07:50:08 PM

Any suggestions where to buy the stuff to do it myself
or where I can buy a plug and play cable for my HD-650.

Custom built cables can go insanely expensive and partially that was the reason why I built my own one.
I did that based on this: http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?146855-DIY-Sennheiser-HD650-cable-build.
Make sure to read thru the topic and not just first post since there are changes to the original design of the cable.

Hope this helps.
Kris

Guy 13 · **Reply #33 on:** March 13, 2014, 03:28:26 AM

Quote from: Kris on March 13, 2014, 02:31:11 AM

Quote from: Guy 13 on March 11, 2014, 07:50:08 PM

Any suggestions where to buy the stuff to do it myself
or where I can buy a plug and play cable for my HD-650.

Custom built cables can go insanely expensive and partially that was the reason why I built my own one.
I did that based on this: http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?146855-DIY-Sennheiser-HD650-cable-build.
Make sure to read thru the topic and not just first post since there are changes to the original design of the cable.

Hope this helps.
Kris

Hi Kris.
Thanks for the link.
That's a lot of reading, but I read it to the end.
Nice job you did.
Lots of pictures that document your project.
Like they: A picture is worth a thousand words.
(I am in the professional photographic business,
therefore I know.)
As usual, I know I am not realistic, but for a DIY project,
I was more thinking about 25 USD total cost for the parts.
Yes, I know, I am not realistic.
Well, I will try my HD-650 and Crack combo as is, ]the decide if it's worth investing.
I realize that as I get older (Now 66) I am less demanding every time I look to buy something.

Guy 13

Kris · **Reply #34 on:** March 13, 2014, 03:50:34 AM

Quote from: Guy 13 on March 11, 2014, 07:50:08 PM

Nice job you did.
Lots of pictures that document your project.

Just to be clear. The link I've attached before is not to my post. It's been written by someone with nick name ALL212. I just built my cable based on his post (or I stole his idea if you prefer to put it this way

).

BTW... ALL212 is active on Bottlehead forum as well.

Guy 13 · **Reply #35 on:** March 13, 2014, 03:53:23 AM

Quote from: Kris on March 13, 2014, 03:50:34 AM

Quote from: Guy 13 on March 11, 2014, 07:50:08 PM

Nice job you did.
Lots of pictures that document your project.

Just to be clear. The link I've attached before is not to my post. It's been written by someone with nick name ALL212's. I just built my cable based on his post (or I stoled his idea if you want to put it this way ).

Hi Kris.
Well, it's not the first time I made a fool of myself
and not the last one either.
Thanks anyway.

Guy 13

Guy 13 · **Reply #36 on:** April 12, 2014, 11:21:46 PM

Hi all.
My wifeâ€™s aunt from Chicago brought me my Bottlehead Crack this last Friday and it did not take me long before it was connected and producing some heat and wonderful music.
More music than heatâ€¦
Both my Crack and my HD-650 have almost no millage on them,
therefore my comments are preliminary ones.
The Crack and the HD-650 are both what reviewers and owners wrote about them, which is:
A perfect match.
My only comments and itâ€™s not a negative one, is that I find the HD-650 to be a little dark and by using the word dark,
I hope itâ€™s the right word and itâ€™s in no way a negative comment, thatâ€™s what makes their sound not being aggressive and I like that.
I did some tube rolling from the Raytheon 6080, the RCA 6080 and the 7AS7G RCA with several 12AU7 ranging from Sylvania/Thomas, RCA clear top, Tung Sol and GE.
To my ears (At this early stage of my listening) there are very slight differences in sound.
For now, they all sound good to me.
Iâ€™ve played Chet Atkins guitar, Krall voice, Chesky Binaural and much, much more.
From bass to highs, they are all very good, but like I mentioned above a little dark. If someone can find a better word to describe the sound, please share with me the right word that describes the sound of that combo.
One more thing, I will have to find a way to cool down the amplifier, because the top plate is quite hot, however, the main transformer is just a little warm, which is good to me.
In super hot Vietnam, you have to control the heat of all the electrical units so that they donâ€™t melt down like Chernobyl and/or self destruct.
When doing some listening, I must air conditioned my listening room down to 30C otherwise it will easily go up to 34C thatâ€™s about 95F and listening to music to relax at 95F is not relaxation at all, plus while listening to music I have to worry about my equipment not catching on fire.
More to come in about a week
or in 50 hours, which ever comes first.
In the mean time, here are a few pictures of my set up.

Guy 13

Grainger49 · **Reply #37 on:** April 13, 2014, 07:18:20 AM

Guy,

I'll have to get that Chet Atkins CD. He is a master! And a very nice listening rig too!

I have the same problem with "audiophile" jargon as you do. But I think dark will mean fewer highs than should be there. Maybe "Warm?" But that also says there is a lack of balance. Who knows? We need a dictionary here.

There is a FAQ Thread thread here, that is a link. It addresses the head of the top plate and transformers. The plate has those two large resistors near it.

I have suggested to some folks to get a 9V Wall Wart (transformer/DC supply) and a 12V fan. You cut an opening on the back of the Crack and blow into it with the fan. You don't use the full 12V because it will run slower and quieter on 9V. Be certain the feet are attached so the air has somewhere to escape. It will be fine to leave the fan on all the time.

BTW, what does Phono/LED mean?

mcandmar · **Reply #38 on:** April 13, 2014, 08:08:25 AM

The 650's are a laid back slightly dark sounding headphone, or as they say on Headfi they have the "Sennheiser veil". That's the main reason i could never love mine, shame really as they do everything else so well.

Guy 13 · **Reply #39 on:** April 13, 2014, 05:37:47 PM

Quote from: Grainger49 on April 13, 2014, 07:18:20 AM

Guy,

I'll have to get that Chet Atkins CD. He is a master! And a very nice listening rig too!

I have the same problem with "audiophile" jargon as you do. But I think dark will mean fewer highs than should be there. Maybe "Warm?" But that also says there is a lack of balance. Who knows? We need a dictionary here.

There is a FAQ Thread thread here, that is a link. It addresses the head of the top plate and transformers. The plate has those two large resistors near it.

I have suggested to some folks to get a 9V Wall Wart (transformer/DC supply) and a 12V fan. You cut an opening on the back of the Crack and blow into it with the fan. You don't use the full 12V because it will run slower and quieter on 9V. Be certain the feet are attached so the air has somewhere to escape. It will be fine to leave the fan on all the time.

BTW, what does Phono/LED mean?

Hi Grainger49.
I have noticed that the older Chet Atkins CD recording sound thin, as a matter of fact,
I found that even on the same recording,
the sound quality vary from one track to the other.
However, the majority of the recording sounds good.
I have some small wafer fans that are 220V
and that I can run on 120V. it will run slower, therefore quieter.
I did it many times before to cool down NiMh AA batteries while charging
without any problems.
Phono/LED means ? ? ?
I am at a lost to tell you what the combination of the two words mean.
Phono I know and LED I know, but the two together, search me, no idea ? ? ?
Sorry if I am as useless as a pair of tits on a leghorn.

Guy 13

Guy 13 · **Reply #40 on:** April 13, 2014, 05:41:01 PM

Quote from: mcandmar on April 13, 2014, 08:08:25 AM

The 650's are a laid back slightly dark sounding headphone, or as they say on Headfi they have the "Sennheiser veil". That's the main reason i could never love mine, shame really as they do everything else so well.

Hi mcandmar.
May I ask how you came up with a name like that ?
Or maybe I already asked you and I am loosing memory.
Thanks for sharing your experience with us.
That confirmed what I thought.
I like them, but I don't think I could madly fall in love with them.

Guy 13

mcandmar · **Reply #41 on:** April 13, 2014, 05:49:30 PM

Quote from: Guy 13 on April 13, 2014, 05:41:01 PM

Hi mcandmar.
May I ask how you came up with a name like that ?

It was the username i was given at my first job after college, 5 letters of my surname + 3 letters of my first name combined. It just stuck with me since then as a nickname... and like my real name nobody can ever write or pronounce it properly. I say "Mac and mar", where as others say "MC Andmar" in the accent of a really bad German dance DJ

Guy 13 · **Reply #42 on:** April 13, 2014, 07:13:08 PM

Quote from: mcandmar on April 13, 2014, 05:49:30 PM

Quote from: Guy 13 on April 13, 2014, 05:41:01 PM

Hi mcandmar.
May I ask how you came up with a name like that ?

It was the username i was given at my first job after college, 5 letters of my surname + 3 letters of my first name combined. It just stuck with me since then as a nickname... and like my real name nobody can ever write or pronounce it properly. I say "Mac and mar", where as others say "MC Andmar" in the accent of a really bad German dance DJ

Hi mcandmar.
Interesting, thanks.
Now I will be able to sleep at night,
not wondering what's the meaning of your nick name.

Guy 13

JamieMcC · **Reply #43 on:** April 13, 2014, 10:19:00 PM

Quote from: mcandmar on April 13, 2014, 05:49:30 PM

like my real name nobody can ever write or pronounce it properly. I say "Mac and mar",

I know that feeling "Mac and mar" is how I read your user name also.

Grainger49 · **Reply #44 on:** April 14, 2014, 01:08:10 AM

Guy,

An AC motor's speed is controlled by the frequency of the power, 50 Hz or 60 Hz. So running a 240V AC motor on 120V will just heat the motor up for lack of the proper voltage.

A DC motor's speed is controlled by the magnitude of the voltage. So a 12V fan, like in a computer, will run slower and quieter on 9V.

Phono/LED is what I think I am seeing in the upper left corner of your second picture. When I zoom in it is hard for me to read. It probably doesn't say phono but really looks like LED.