Tube Amp Battle: Bottlehead Crack vs Schiit Valhalla 2

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Tubes! They really can be a lot of fun with the right headphones. IMO, it’s certainly worth getting a decent tube amp in your set up to experiment with from time to time (if not use it as a daily driver).
For this video, I’m comparing a Bottlehead Crack with Speedball and the Schiit Valhalla 2. They are both decent amps, but the Crack just has such life to it-honestly, I love it. Really adds a new dimension to the dynamic headphones that I’ve been putting on it.
I’m no tube amp expert. For more technical information, I’d recommend check out the sites for both these amps and searching the forums for tube rolling advice.
Here’s links to stuff mentioned in the video:
Bottlehead Crack: bottlehead.com/product/crack-...
Valhalla 2: www.schiit.com/products/valha...
Check out this playlist for more Amp & DAC reviews:
• Amps & DACs
Check this playlist for more open-back headphone reviews: • Open Back Headphones
Check out this playlist for more closed-back headphone reviews:
• Closed Back Headphones
Look down below for links to all that gear and some other recommendations.
Of course, I always recommend you take a look at the used market, below are some sites that are great for that.
Head-Fi: www.head-fi.org/
HifiGuides: forum.hifiguides.com/
Reddit: / avexchange
Hifi-shark: www.hifishark.com/
US AudioMart: www.usaudiomart.com/
Some of my favorite equipment for various niches (some links are affiliate):
Super Budget Headphone: Koss kph40: koss.com/products/kph40-utility
Need these pads for the kph40 though: www.aliexpress.com/item/10050...
Cheap Gaming Headphone: AD700X: amzn.to/3b4ACUS
Cheap All-Around Headphone: SHP9600: amzn.to/3b6aUiP
Entry Level DAC: Modi 3+: www.schiit.com/products/modi-1
Entry Level Amp: IEMagni: www.schiit.com/products/magni-1
Entry Balanced DAC: SMSL SU8: (look used)
Or Modius: www.schiit.com/products/modius
My Main DAC: Bifrost 2: www.schiit.com/products/bifro...
My Main Amp: Singxer SA-1: amzn.to/3BgXJ97
Tube Amp: Bottlehead Crack: bottlehead.com/product/crack-...
Headphone #1: HE6SEv2: adorama.rfvk.net/4eydoo
Headphone #2: Focal Elex w/ Dekoni Fenestrated Sheepskin: drop.com/buy/massdrop-x-focal...
Headphone #3: OG NIghthawks: (look used)
TOTL: Focal Utopia: (look used)
Gaming Headphone: HE560v4: adorama.rfvk.net/6bnGoG
Bluetooth Portable DAC/Amp: XCan: amzn.to/3vJG8WA
Wired Portable DAC/Amp: Mojo: amzn.to/3CbYWQs
TWS: Sony XM4: amzn.to/3Glr7Py
Cables:
Hart Audio Cables: hartaudiocables.com/
Worlds Best RCA Interconnects: amzn.to/3pB2Oa7
Worlds Best XLR Interconnects: amzn.to/3vEdwxO
Recording Gear:
Canon M50: amzn.to/3ba7KKJ
Sigma 16mm 1.4: amzn.to/3vF6SaB
Maono USB Mic: amzn.to/3CecbQO
Canon M100 (overhead): amzn.to/31lZAxT
Canon 22mm 2.0 (overhead): amzn.to/3dowiAO
#bottleheadcrack #schiit #tubeamp

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Опубликовано:

22 янв 2022

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Комментарии : 40

@Ford363Stroker Год назад

FYI, the Crack manual says to make sure you use the feet on the wood frame so that air can go undertake chassis for proper cooling.

@elminero49 57 минут назад

I own both Bottlehead Crack and Schiit Valhalla 2. I think they both sound the same to me. The Bottlehead Crack is more fun because you get to build it yourself. Schiit Valhalla 2 cost less than Bottlehead Crack with Speedball. For sound quality both are equal enough that you will not be able to hear the difference. I use Sennheiser HD 650.

@esacrewol 2 года назад

been wanting a bottlehead crack for years. now i have a decent job and plan to buy one soon, with the speedball, to go along with my hd600s

@thelastrhino2581 2 года назад

Nice work. 14:15 - exactly this!

@AliArghavan 2 года назад

Thanks for the interesting comparison. Between all these tune amps (Little Dot, Valhalla, Crack, Darkvoice, Xduoo) which one do you recommend for Aeolus?

@MrAyrit 2 года назад

The Aeolus actually sounds pretty good on just about anything, I’d take the Crack though. I’d be super interested to know what the higher level Bottlehead stuff sounds like.

@carbon_wavelight 2 года назад

Look into Eufonika amps. They've been said to be the step up from bottlehead, and the H7 ($350) was reviewed head to head with a Phonitor XE on headfi.

@asplmn Год назад

Love my BH Crackatwoa. After climbing the gear tier list, so to speak, I can't say I really feel like I'm missing out on anything with the C2A, and it's just so engaging. The BH Mainline is a different beast altogether from either of the Cracks. It's less romantic and more "technical" and "analytical," but still musical. That being said, I prefer my tubes to be more romantic, and my SS to be more honest. Nice review!

@MrAyrit Год назад

Why do you never kick your Bottlehead amp? Because you might Crackatowa!

@astroporpoise7802 Год назад

Listening to you with my Bottlehead Crack haha, and I agree...the life the Crack gives to the music is really impressive. The 6AS7G and 6SN7 combo gives such a large, natural, thrilling, and rejuvenating sound. Octal tubes FTW.

@astroporpoise7802 Год назад

Also, my brother has the Senn HD 6XX, and like you I wasn't so sold on it with the Crack. Now, it was definitely smooth and easy to listen to....but sounded too flat and tame compared to my AKG K240 Sextetts. People rave about the pure midrange of the Senns, but I can't get over the dull treble and closed-in sound--my AKG also has a pure and present midrange but has high-reaching treble and a wide soundscape to go with it. Just my opinion of course. Hope you're still enjoying your Crack! :)

@mtnmankeith9069 Год назад

What are your thoughts on the dt990 600ohm? I think you had them around the time of this review. Did you find an amp that worked amazing with them?

@MrAyrit Год назад

I did not, but I haven’t tried them in awhile. Eventually here, I’m planning on doing a big Beyer thing with the old models versus the new. Just haven’t had the time yet.

@daviewavie112 6 месяцев назад

I have a set of dt990 600ohm. Compared to my hd6xx/hd600 the dt990 has more of a V shaped sound signature. More bass/treble, recessed mids. A little more analytical than the sennheisers. It’s a nice change from the sennheisers. It took a long time to break in, the top end was a little harsh at first. I almost sold them. But the more i listened to them the more it softened up. Decided to keep them. I use it with a lafigaro 339

@mattfisher401 Год назад

Can you run a TT directly into these?

@brendanliddell240 2 года назад

It would be interesting for you to try and compare the Bottlehead Crack with the Schiit Lyr 3. Hybrid single tube amp with power to boot.

@MrAyrit 2 года назад

I’ll keep an eye out. Don’t see many for sale.

@brendanliddell240 2 года назад

@@MrAyrit Might just be an indication of how good they are :) I'm awaiting the much anticipated Schiit Folkvangr... 10 tube amp that's been in the works. I believe it was scheduled for release last year, however in this current climate, understandable to hit speed bumps. Hopefully soon though, that thing sounds like a beast!

@JTB-- 2 года назад

I have a Bottlehead Crack on the way and already have the LYR 3 so I'll be able to compare. Remember the Bottlehead Crack is OTL and LYR 3 is a Hybrid

@PaulStAmour-ws9ch Год назад

@@JTB-- Did you prefer BH Crack or LYR 3?

@JTB-- Год назад

@@PaulStAmour-ws9ch I sold the BC. It could get a little harsh in the treble. Still have the LYR3(OG version)

@robstivers1994 Год назад

What headphones are you using with the Crack? That amplifier's design has been optimized for high impedance dynamic driver headphones like Sennheiser's HD6XX family or Audio Technica's ATH-R70X for example. Anything with impedence lower than about 150 ohms won't perform as well on the Crack.

@robstivers1994 Год назад

Then again, if it sounds good to you, then it sounds good.

@MrAyrit Год назад

I remember trying Focal stuff and Beyer stuff, probably some Sennheisers too.

@Allied10 2 года назад

Hey there. I'm in the middle of assembling my Bottlehead and came across your video. When you flipped the wooden frame, I noticed yours doesn't have any feet. The manual says the feet are required for proper ventilation. Just a heads up.

@MrAyrit 2 года назад

Good to know. I’ll look into that a bit more. What do the feet look like? Are they just little rubber nubs?

@Allied10 2 года назад

@@MrAyrit Yep. Four pretty generic self adhesive rubber nubs. The stock ones look like ziggurats and are 1/4" thick.

@MrAyrit 2 года назад

@@Allied10 thanks, I’ve got something like that lying around.

@Allied10 2 года назад

@@MrAyrit cool. Didn't want your nice amp dying prematurely. Enjoy!

@thatchinaboi1 2 года назад

How does both tube amps compare with the Little Dot Mk2 using the Sennheiser HD 560s?

@MrAyrit 2 года назад

Sorry, I couldn’t comment on that. I didn’t have the 560s on hand.

@leninreddy 2 года назад

Hi @MrAyrit : How does Bottlehead Crack handles planar headphones ? I have planar headphones and want to know how crack handles planars ?

@MrAyrit 2 года назад

Sorry for the late reply. Not well is the answer. I’ve got a Hagerman Tuba on hand for review and it plays much nicer with the planars thanks to the low impedance mode.

@albeklik8055 Месяц назад

Hearing examination is required for you😊

@frankgeeraerts6243 9 месяцев назад

BASS............................NO it's not the amp .................but the impedance of the headphones versus the internal impedance of the 6AS7/6080 tube ....!

@luckyjinxer Год назад

Oh yeah, get your finger oils ALL over those tubes.

@mattfisher401 Год назад

That will have no impact on performance or longevity. It's not a halogen light bulb, it's a vacuum tube.

@silverback3633 10 месяцев назад

Just blabber.

@frankgeeraerts6243 9 месяцев назад

Audio phile beliefs are funny ..............Why tubes ? Because they bring ........... While reality and facts are inversed................Solid state looses some ....qualities !

@elminero49 24 минуты назад

"Tubes are cool" Actually, tubes are hot.