The dog was just jealous you didnt give him a listen
2 Likes
Anyone know if Bottlehead charge for shipping to the US, and if so, how much? Can’t seem to find any info on it.
They’re located in WA in the US.
My shipping was $16.41 UPS, for a Crack + Speedball - FWIW.
1 Like
I haven’t really left my impressions on this amp (with speedball) yet so here it goes…
All of my listening is with Mullard tubes, cv4003 input, cv2984 power.
Words like fast, punchy, fun and well articulated come to mind so it’s probably not really what most people think of when they think tubes. I haven’t heard it without the speedball but with it there’s nice presence and extension in the lows and highs making it ideal for the hd600 (to no ones surprise). Allows the mids to really do their thing as well.
It’s also really nice with the beyer t1.2 and gives the bass a texture and coherence that is very addicting. Seems to keep up with the speed the t1.2’s driver offers as well. The treble peak on the t1.2 and the presence in the highs with the BHC don’t clash imo but rather comes across pretty smooth and resolving. Haven’t had much time of it with the 880 yet so I’ll have to get around to doing that.
With the bifrost 2 the staging is fantastic. I’ve heard the 6080 tubes aren’t the widest choice for a power tube but with the BF2 the width is pretty nice. Depth, layering and separation are all pretty fantastic with this pairing. I haven’t compared other dacs of the same caliber as the BF2 with the BHC but my thinking is the BF2 helps smooth out the speedball some, but I can’t say for sure.
Sooo, fun not neutral, more articulate than tubey, very nice with bifrost 2
8 Likes
Great write up Don!
Your right on with what I have experienced with my BH Crack and T1R2 and HD600…and the B2.
I dont have the T1R2s anymore but it worked very well with the Crack for sure…
I always touted the Crack and the 600s as being “the” standard…to shoot for with high impedance cans.
Again! Nice!
Alex
2 Likes
The high regard held for this pairing is definitely warranted. Imo it’s outclassed by the t1.2 tbh but there is some magic there with the 600 for sure. They are very complimentary to one another.
Thanks Alex 
2 Likes
yeah it outclassed for sure…but just for the 600 and this level of headphone its a very nice pairing.
Would make a really nice entry into headphones and tube amps…
Have a great day!
2 Likes
Forgot to post my completed Bottlehead Crack Speedball. As you can see, the wood stain color is starting to darken up, which is pretty cool
14 Likes
Sweet setup!!
Alex
1 Like
FYI. I have my BH Crack for sale and 22 assorted vacuum tubes. PM me if anyone is interested. Also posted on Headfi.
Thanks
Alex
2 Likes
I can confirm that @lost33 is a reputable seller and a good dude. He did a great job building his BHC. 
2 Likes
Parting any tubes out?
1 Like
Still no Eikon and my BH isn’t finished since I still want to re-paint it but tonight I decided, WTF let me plug my 58X into it and see what It sounds like. Before this I’d literally spent about five minutes of listening time with RCA plugged in from an iPod, just to check my work was good.
Tonight, those dammed 58X sounded better than they’ve ever sounded in the years I’ve owned them. I understand why it’s called Speedball Crack.
I can’t wait to plug in a 300 ohm pair of cans into it.
6 Likes
Wait until you plug in a HD600 or HD6XX in them, you’ll be in for a treat. Other >=300ohms high impedance dynamics to consider are those from Beyerdynamics and ZMF.
I honestly never listened to Beyerdynamics myself, but they do have their fans when it comes to OTL tube amps.
2 Likes
What he said ^^^^
770 250 w/ lambskin pads sounded damn good on the BHC. For me, it tamed the highs and added some “body”. It didn’t sound as thin compared to my Atom amp.
But yeah… 6XX on the BHC is just awesome.
Note I also will sell 3 6080 types for $60 for all three all NOS.
I also have a bunch of 12AU7’s I think 11 or 12…need to go thru them but will sell as well.
Alex
2 Likes
I have the Eikons on the way, I mean some day soon since I’m pushing 100 days. I got the Crack specifically for the Eikons when my wife didn’t want me blasting the speakers or for late night listening session.
Based on the feedback from everyone here though it’s like the HD600 are a must, wasn’t planning on them but the peer pressure is overwhelming. LOL
4 Likes
Yeah the gold standard either good or bad are the HD600’s…I used mine with the Crack for a long time and with the Schiit Vahalla 2. Both are excellent with these headphones…it may not be 'perfect" as far as overall accurate presentation but this combination to many provdes a really nice presenation…
Will be intereted in your Eikon experience with the Crack.
Alex
1 Like