Bottlehead Crack C4 version (custom build)
ALL212
Posts: 1,644
Some of you may be shocked by my admission that I may have too many headphone amps. I'm not saying I do... but you might consider this part of my 12 step program.
The basic kit, unassembled goes for just under $500 (including the speedball) when not on sale. This includes the Speedball upgrade which assists in powering the 6SN7 instead of the stock 12UA7.
Your cost is $700 shipped to CONUS including insurance. This will include useable tubes but not necessarily those pictured. 1 6AS7 and 1 6SN7 will be provided. If you desire a power cord I can provide a basic one. If you have a 6SN7 to 12UA7 adapter you can use a 12AU7 with no issue.
The mission on this build was to give the Crack a slight pitched presentation to better show off the top of the device. I've also upgraded many of the components and will attempt to describe those changes. The base is custom walnut and the top plate is a custom laser cut design. My name for this particular build is the C4 as it is the 4th of the Cracks I've built.
Under the sheets this is a Bottlehead Crack. There are no changes to the circuit but the layout is different. There are changes to components and the power supply and output cap values are "adjusted" with some assistance from Doc and Paul (Bottlehead guru's) when I built this. I don't remember what that adjustment was and will see if I kept the notes on that but please don't press me for details on that - it's been some time since this was built.
Many of the upgrades are done "because I can" and I have no empirical evidence that they make anything better. Those are discussed on the Bottlehead forum - some for... some against.
Power supply upgrades include better electrolytic caps (the two towers) tipped by film caps. I've replaced one of the power supply resistors with an inductor of roughly the same resistance. I've used a diode board with better diodes than stock. I don't think any of the wiring is stock and the output wiring is Mogami. Alps blue volume pot replaces the very cheap stock pot. I don't believe I changed any components in the speedball upgrade. The Speedball is a stock upgrade for the Crack power supply and provided by Bottlehead.
Headphone connector is not stock, Volume knob is not stock, power supply switch is upgraded and a bottlehead logo sticker is included. The RCA connectors are definitely upgraded however, I don't remember what brand those are.
Obviously, the output caps are the major upgrade from the stock electrolytic caps. I've mounted two under the chassis and two on top in parallel.
I'm in no hurry to sell and if you have questions please just ask.
The basic kit, unassembled goes for just under $500 (including the speedball) when not on sale. This includes the Speedball upgrade which assists in powering the 6SN7 instead of the stock 12UA7.
Your cost is $700 shipped to CONUS including insurance. This will include useable tubes but not necessarily those pictured. 1 6AS7 and 1 6SN7 will be provided. If you desire a power cord I can provide a basic one. If you have a 6SN7 to 12UA7 adapter you can use a 12AU7 with no issue.
The mission on this build was to give the Crack a slight pitched presentation to better show off the top of the device. I've also upgraded many of the components and will attempt to describe those changes. The base is custom walnut and the top plate is a custom laser cut design. My name for this particular build is the C4 as it is the 4th of the Cracks I've built.
Under the sheets this is a Bottlehead Crack. There are no changes to the circuit but the layout is different. There are changes to components and the power supply and output cap values are "adjusted" with some assistance from Doc and Paul (Bottlehead guru's) when I built this. I don't remember what that adjustment was and will see if I kept the notes on that but please don't press me for details on that - it's been some time since this was built.
Many of the upgrades are done "because I can" and I have no empirical evidence that they make anything better. Those are discussed on the Bottlehead forum - some for... some against.
Power supply upgrades include better electrolytic caps (the two towers) tipped by film caps. I've replaced one of the power supply resistors with an inductor of roughly the same resistance. I've used a diode board with better diodes than stock. I don't think any of the wiring is stock and the output wiring is Mogami. Alps blue volume pot replaces the very cheap stock pot. I don't believe I changed any components in the speedball upgrade. The Speedball is a stock upgrade for the Crack power supply and provided by Bottlehead.
Headphone connector is not stock, Volume knob is not stock, power supply switch is upgraded and a bottlehead logo sticker is included. The RCA connectors are definitely upgraded however, I don't remember what brand those are.
Obviously, the output caps are the major upgrade from the stock electrolytic caps. I've mounted two under the chassis and two on top in parallel.
I'm in no hurry to sell and if you have questions please just ask.
Aaron
Enabler Extraordinaire
Enabler Extraordinaire
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This amp sounds great paired with Sennheiser cans."The legitimate powers of government extend to such acts only as are injurious to others. But it does me no injury for my neighbour to say there are twenty gods, or no god. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg." --Thomas Jefferson
