Modded Crack - add bypass cap, choke and Cree diodes

ALL212 · 24036

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Offline ALL212

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Inspired by other posts but recently by richmi in the gallery:

I replaced the last 270 ohm resistor with the Triad C-7x and "tipped" the last cap with a 1uf Clarity Cap.  Hope to add the Cree diode in there someday but for now this will do. 
I got lucky on the mounting hardware as being a packrat sometimes pays off.  I had the screws and standoffs already in my possession and just had to add the holes to the chassis.  I'm going to see if I can find more of those (they come from a dual monitor stand we use at our offices) and if so, will offer up what I find here.

Need some time to listen but no smoke on power up so we're going forward!

From the front:
(http://i905.photobucket.com/albums/ac253/all212212/DSC_2857_zps91vmy66g.jpg)

From the back:
(http://i905.photobucket.com/albums/ac253/all212212/DSC_2860_zpsoellrn36.jpg)

Full underside:
(http://i905.photobucket.com/albums/ac253/all212212/DSC_2862_zpsfbf0qsdd.jpg)

From the top - new holes just above the t'former holes and a bit to the left.  Transformer holes are 1/4" too close together to use.
(http://i905.photobucket.com/albums/ac253/all212212/DSC_2866_zpsij6shnif.jpg)
« Last Edit: April 07, 2015, 02:47:20 PM by ALL212 »

Aaron Luebke


Offline ALL212

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Reply #1 on: April 07, 2015, 02:46:44 PM
Further upgrades following member Richmi:

Cree diode board added.  I didn't drill anything and I think it was Lee Hankins that just let it hang on the wires but I superglued a standoff and then wired it so it already sat correctly on the standoff - then superglued it to the standoff.  Kindof a combination of both.  If the superglue does let go it won't go anywhere as the wires have it.

I used the "recliner" look for soldering them to the board:

(http://i905.photobucket.com/albums/ac253/all212212/DSC_2870_zpsnrrddccm.jpg)

(http://i905.photobucket.com/albums/ac253/all212212/DSC_2872_zps3umi7s1f.jpg)

Smoothed the overall sound out very nicely.  Bass is noticeably better, darker background.

Nice!  Thanks guys.


Aaron Luebke


Offline Nathan

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Reply #2 on: April 07, 2015, 03:11:30 PM
I'm interested in installing the choke too but as you've noted, real estate under the hood is tight if there's much in the way of mods and I suspect that a choke is not a typical builder's first mods

Crack/Speedball, SEX 2.1/C4S, Bryston BHA-1

Sennheiser HD600/Cardas cable, Beyerdynamic T1 2nd Gen, Hifimam HE560/Hifiman balanced cable


Offline ALL212

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Reply #3 on: April 08, 2015, 12:58:44 PM
If you have the speedball installed what I did comes in just short of the depth of the speedball.  The fun part is figuring out how to mount that and then grabbing a drill and hitting your top plate.  The unsoldering/soldering portion isn't to bad.

If you are a beginner stay away from the Cree diodes - that nice shiny part with the hole in it is hot and I'm guessing if you ground those out some magic smoke could be released.

Aaron Luebke


Offline i luvmusic 2

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Reply #4 on: April 10, 2015, 09:29:53 AM
After you installed the CREE DIODES did you noticed any difference in sound?

Thanks



Offline ALL212

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Reply #5 on: April 10, 2015, 09:41:33 AM
'cause it all about dat bass bout dat bass no trouble...

Blacker background.

I'd call what I hear smoother.  Definition, soundstage, "air" around the voices.  It's just that good!

1) Original Crack good,
2) modded crack better - signal path stuff
3) Built a SEX and liked it better than the modded Crack. 
4) Upgraded Crack power supply as above and SEX is sitting on the shelf wondering WTF just happened!!  :'(

Aaron Luebke


Offline i luvmusic 2

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Reply #6 on: April 10, 2015, 10:45:29 AM
 So i'am not imagining/dreaming about what i heard few hours ago after i installed the CREE DIODES.
That is why i asked first.

Thanks



Offline ALL212

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Reply #7 on: April 10, 2015, 10:52:32 AM
Tell me of your dreams, Usul...

What did you hear?

Aaron Luebke


Offline i luvmusic 2

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Reply #8 on: April 10, 2015, 11:23:32 AM
Exactly what you described above except for the soundstage i can't tell the difference.



Offline i luvmusic 2

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Reply #9 on: April 10, 2015, 11:25:17 AM
BTW i just turned the amp off so i can take some photo later.



Offline i luvmusic 2

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Reply #10 on: April 10, 2015, 01:10:30 PM
Here is mine.
(http://cdn.head-fi.org/a/a8/900x900px-LL-a8c7dc2c_DSC_4034.jpeg)



Offline ALL212

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Reply #11 on: April 10, 2015, 02:28:14 PM
I'll try and be nice to our northern neighbor...but it's gonna be tough...   ::)

I like the "no holes in the board" approach with just snugging it down - nice!

Ok - maybe soundstage isn't what I've got.  Separation between those things that are making the music.  Each instrument and vocal is placed very specifically,  back ground is so black that the room acoustics are amazing.

Guitar lead in on Jethro Tulls Aqualung track 7 "My God" - I've listened to this many times and never heard it like this.
Alan Parsons Project, Edgar Allen Poe - another album I've listened too many times and I just get the silly grin...   8)
« Last Edit: April 10, 2015, 03:03:30 PM by ALL212 »

Aaron Luebke


Offline i luvmusic 2

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Reply #12 on: April 11, 2015, 01:53:27 PM
No worries. ;)
I LOVE HOLES......... ;D

 First thing i noticed the first time i fired up my crack after i installed the Cree Diodes is the Separation and even quieter background and the bass and how smooth sounding it is.



Offline ALL212

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Reply #13 on: April 12, 2015, 05:09:10 PM
What tubes are you using?  And what headphones? 

Stalker alert!!   :o

Aaron Luebke


Offline Jimb0

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Reply #14 on: April 12, 2015, 07:29:43 PM
nice modding ALL! What do the cree diodes do for sound?