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Author Topic: Bottlehead Crack  (Read 3741 times)

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OJneg

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Bottlehead Crack
« on: September 04, 2015, 04:21:14 AM »
Just got a BH Crack on loan from a friend.



I know at least a few pirates own this amp. Discuss.
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kothganesh

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Re: Bottlehead Crack
« Reply #1 on: September 04, 2015, 04:26:02 AM »
As can be expected, lovely match with the HD 6x0s, not as much with the HD 800 (but then it is unfair IMO to compare the Crack with , say, the ZDS)....definitely needs the Speedball upgrade.
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CEE TEE

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Re: Bottlehead Crack
« Reply #2 on: September 04, 2015, 05:05:18 AM »
Upon comparison with your Torpedo, OJ...my Crack without Speedball was not clean or fast or resolving but had a big sound.  Your Torpedo Amp made me finally install the Speedball upgrade and it cleaned up/tightened up considerably.  Thank you for that loan!

Crack was really cool to put together and at the price, with HD580/600/650 it is a no-brainer and a great amp. I should listen to it more. Has a nice small footprint. Not as hot as other tube amps. I haven't even upgraded caps or gotten any other tubes for it.  I should!

Punchy, forward, thick, fun.  Satisfying at lower levels if your volume pot is good enough at R/L channel balance for the resistance of your headphones...it seems like a natural "loudness" function of Bass/Treble compared to some amps.

Just say yes to Crack & Speedballs.  For many, it is as much fun as you need.  You're just hanging out with crazies here that want all kinds of amps and rigs.  (Self-awareness. :)p8 )
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kothganesh

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Re: Bottlehead Crack
« Reply #3 on: September 04, 2015, 05:31:55 AM »
CT, I upgraded one cap ( its a larger one, forget the name) but there was no space for the other (I bought two). Definitely punchy and I never bothered using the stock tube. I plugged in an Amperex Golden Globe and very happy with the results. Thad E Ginathom (on this forum) has the amp for now and if I remember right, he did post hearing a more satisfactory SQ from his HD 600 and the Gungnir.

Add:  I bought 2 of these (200 uF Clarity Cap TC) and a choke to replace the resistors in the power supply (got these ideas from the BH Crack forum).
http://www.partsconnexion.com/capacitor_film_clarity_tc6.html
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OJneg

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Re: Bottlehead Crack
« Reply #4 on: September 04, 2015, 05:36:47 AM »
My buddy gave me all sorts of stuff to play around with. 3 output tubes, 2 driver tubes, a choke (that might not work?). Output caps are not stock. Also want to swap out the pot :)
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kothganesh

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Re: Bottlehead Crack
« Reply #5 on: September 04, 2015, 05:38:45 AM »
OJ, after playing around with your Crack, let me know what pot works well. I am using the stock for now.
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Armaegis

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Re: Bottlehead Crack
« Reply #6 on: September 04, 2015, 05:43:02 AM »
I've built three of them. Great instructions and good project for a beginner with minimal experience.
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Anaxilus

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Re: Bottlehead Crack
« Reply #7 on: September 04, 2015, 05:53:08 AM »
Bah...clarity cap.
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kothganesh

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Re: Bottlehead Crack
« Reply #8 on: September 04, 2015, 06:05:51 AM »
Any better alternatives please ?
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Anaxilus

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Re: Bottlehead Crack
« Reply #9 on: September 04, 2015, 06:37:57 AM »
Try some Mundorf Evos. Jensen, Jantzen. Of course, Duelund but the size and cost will be as much as a car.
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"If you do not change direction, you may end up where you are heading." - Lao Tzu

"The Claw is our master. The Claw chooses who will go or who will stay." - The LGM Community

"You're like a dull knife, just ain't cuttin'. Talking loud, saying nothing." - James Brown
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