Bottlehead Crack - the stupendously good DIY headphone amplifier. Best for HD600 HD650 HD6XX! 

Just take your time. Stay focused on one step at a time--try not to look past the step you're on. I made mistakes when I looked ahead to see what was coming next.

Thanks for your kind words. I appreciate you watching and subscribing and I'm glad that this video is helping you toward the decision to build your own Crack. As for my loss for words... brain freeze, what can I say? I think I'm still not fully comfortable speaking audiophile speak. I have a Schiit Magni 3+. It sounds great with my HD600's, but the Crack is on another level. Tighter low end, liquid mids and better air and separation between instruments which contributes to better imaging. Much better amp all around, but not really a fair comparison. The Magni is only $99, after all! Hope you take the plunge. Let me know if you do. Best of luck!

@@robstivers1994 How do you feel this pairs with the hd 650 vs the hd 600. I'm aware the hd 600 is more neutral sounding (still warm though) then the hd 650 (which I own) and I was wondering if a tube pairing with the 650 would be too warm a sound. Any advice regarding the hd650 and a tube pairing for people that own both and/or have listened to them. Any insight is welcome. I love warmth but I'm just worried it would be too warm a sound, hahaha. I have heard people recommend the pairing though. Also how long do the tubes typically last you before you need to replace?

Christopher D'suza i ask exactly the same questions!

How better are your headphones with the amp compared to not using an amp at all?

@@romariobeharry3373 very late to the party but the 6XX are hard to drive without one imo. They don't get very loud without one.. Still sound good, but in my phone they are super quiet in comparison what my Amp can do.

Solid state can be analog as well. Its when you get into the newer class D, class c stuff that is digital with is therefore not analog. Tubes do have a different sound usually then Solid state though.

Bought the spiked feet at Parts-Express. Here's the link: www.parts-express.com/dayton-audio-dss2-g-gold-speaker-spike-set-4-pcs--240-666 Best of luck with your build! Let me know how it turns out.

Hi there. I think you're referring to the spiked feet. Those are from Parts Express and can be found here www.parts-express.com/dayton-audio-dss2-g-gold-speaker-spike-set-4-pcs--240-666. The finish is nothing special. Minwax Wood Finish in espresso and a few sprayed-on coats of Minwax Fast-Drying Polyurethane in clear gloss. Hope that helps.

Tom_Anks you could try the dark voice 336. It’s also an OTL tube amp

@@daviewavie112 Not DIY though, not as fun :(

Tom_Anks you could take it apart and put it back together

Just take your time. The instructions are very clear and easy to follow. Do it over the course of 3 or 4 evenings. I didn't have any experience building anything like this either, but got mine to work on the first try. If you have any trouble, there are plenty of people on Bottlehrad's forums willing to help out. Good luck!

parts-express.com

@@robstivers1994 Can't find them on there, got a search query recommendation? Thanks!!!

@@lightheartsounds1676 www.parts-express.com/Dayton-Audio-DSS2-G-Gold-Spike-Set-4-Pcs.-240-666

The tubes Bottlehead send with the kit are sort of a random variety. There are subtle differences between different tube combos, but the amp sounds great with any of the many tubes in the 6080 and 12AU7 families. I wouldn't worry about which tubes are sent with your kit. It's gonna sing.

A novice can absolutely build the Crack. Just take your time. Bottlehead's instructions for this kit (and all their other kits too) are very clear and easy to follow. No special tools needed. Here's what Bottlehead recommends: 􏰀 eye protection 􏰀 slotted tip screwdriver 􏰀 needlenose pliers 􏰀 wire cutters 􏰀 wire stripper for 12ga. and smaller wire 􏰀 soldering iron, 40W is fine. An inexpensive solder station is much, much better 􏰀 volt-ohm meter - we suggest a 'pocket DMM' - use this for sorting out hard to read resistors 􏰀 a good light source 􏰀 Sharpie or other marking pen for terminal ID 􏰀 a soft towel or placemat to rest the amps on while working on the underside-the sticky bubble wrap supplied with your kit can also work well as a cushion for your project. other tools that are nice to have: 􏰀 magnifying glass for parts identification 􏰀 desoldering tool or desoldering braid 􏰀 A set of small sockets and a socket wrench for tightening the mounting hardware 􏰀 A “third hand” tool can be useful for situations where you need support the parts you are working on while keeping both hands free to solder Go for it! Let us know how it turns out.

I like to buy one too

Honestly, you don't need any special skills to build this amplifier. All it takes is a little patience. If you can follow a set of well written, well illustrated instructions you can build the Crack. Bottlehead do offer a build service, but it's not cheap and in my opinion you'll enjoy it more if you build it yourself. Go for it!

@@robstivers1994 I don't know how soldering anything, I see a video of this and is a pain for me, many things can go wrong.

I never soldered anything before I built my first one either. You definitely can do it. Just saying...

@@robstivers1994 yes, I'll try it, after all I do build a lot things in the past, fixing computers internally etc.