Crack 1.1

Lee Hankins · 2124

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Offline Lee Hankins

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on: July 11, 2016, 01:25:46 PM
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« Last Edit: July 12, 2016, 07:10:07 PM by Lee Hankins »

Lee Hankins
"End of the Road"
Homer, Alaska


Offline fullheadofnothing

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Reply #1 on: July 11, 2016, 01:37:51 PM
No. It will have the same form factor.


Joshua Harris

I Write the Manuals That Make The Whole World Sing
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Offline fullheadofnothing

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Reply #2 on: July 12, 2016, 06:54:16 AM
The Crack is supposed to be a small, entry level headphone amp. There are people who don't buy it because it's too big to fit in the space they have.

Furthermore, the same audio circuit is available with a more refined power supply on a 10x12 chassis as the Crackatwoa. If the goal of a larger chassis is to shoehorn in bigger capacitors, you could do so, plus have the benefit of shunt regulation and the option of to add a really nice stepped attenuator built on very high quality switches.
« Last Edit: July 12, 2016, 11:20:57 AM by fullheadofnothing »

Joshua Harris

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Offline ALL212

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Reply #3 on: July 12, 2016, 10:42:43 AM
+1 to FulllHeadOfNothing.  I've redone it on my own but that small chassis and simple layout is a beautiful thing!

Aaron Luebke


Offline Doc B.

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Reply #4 on: July 12, 2016, 01:57:59 PM
Well, I've only been in this business for about 25 years, so my experience is somewhat limited. I do feel you are being a little hard on our other customers, as I have seen many very neat and clean builds by first timers.  As to how many tech support posts regarding Crack vs Crackatwoa, we have sold maybe 100 times as many Cracks as Crackatwoas. And so one would expect to see more requests for help from Crack builders.

We've sold a lot of Crack kits over the years, thousands. It's kind of an institution, like the Stereo 70. One doesn't necessarily do a good service in changing something that is established as an icon. And yet sometimes people asked for more. More space for boutique upgrade caps the size of beer cans, more whizzbang volume control, more circuit tweaks. And so we came up with Crackatwoa. Seems to me like we've already addressed the issue with some conscience.

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


Offline mcandmar

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Reply #5 on: July 12, 2016, 11:28:55 PM
Don't mess with a good thing.   I had somebody pass on a recent crack i was selling because he noticed the speedball boards were different and wanted an "original" one.  Seems improved isn't necessarily better to everyone :)

M.McCandless


Offline ALL212

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Reply #6 on: July 18, 2016, 06:53:40 AM
Doc and crew....what if...

What if you offered two plate sizes?  If you cut the bigger plate exactly the same as the normal plate no parts need to be changed.  Only the plate and box size would be an option.  It would just have more room around the edges.  I cut my plate...same as the Stereomour, 12x10?  I had enough room for big stuff with that.  If you're going to do it - heck, go 12x12 and let's have some fun!!

Aaron Luebke


Offline Doc B.

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Reply #7 on: July 18, 2016, 07:16:14 AM
Crackatwoa has the added features that people have been asking for here. I encourage everyone to have a look.

http://bottlehead.com/product/crack-a-two-a/

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