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Bottlehead: Crack Headphone Amp US $199, AU $263 (Was US $299, AU $396) + Delivery

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Bottlehead Crack headphone amp reduced from US$299 to US$199, and Speedball module reduced from US$125 to US$100. Priority delivery to Brisbane was US$78.42 for both, bringing the total to US$377.42 (A$500).

This is a tube amplifier for high impedance headphones. It's a DIY kit that you solder together, and everything I have read indicates that it includes excellent instructions and is fine even for beginners to tackle. Lots of info on specs and quote from reviews here.The Speedball is a 'Camille Cascode Constant Current Source upgrade for the Crack headphone amplifier'. In short, it makes the amp sound better, and most people are saying that it's worth it. More info here.

Reviews for the amplifier are extremely positive; here's a 611 page thread on it, and a few links to reviews. Their forum also seems quite active.

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closed Comments

  • I have a speedballed crack and I paid a hell of a lot more than this. I'm listening to it right now, in fact.

    If you have open Beyers - esp DT880s, T90s or T1s - go buy this now.

    • Is it worth getting if I already have an OPPO HA2SE?

      • +1

        I would say yes if you like/want a Valve Amp Sound.
        I use something very similar with my Oppo HA2 as DAC with Line Out into the Valve Amp (the second 3.5mm output on the Oppo marked LineOut).
        This will give you a first class DAC into a very well rated valve headphone amp. It may not sound better than the Oppo headphone output for all types of varying headphones and music types but toggling between to the two would be fun to try.

  • +1

    Too bad i got my darkvoice already. I would have given this a shot if not.

  • What the heal is speedball add on?

  • Thanks OP. Been waiting for this.

  • Nice find. Do you know how long this deal will last for? My HD 6xx’s are coming in August. I’ve been tossing up whether to get a solid state, a tube, or a hybrid amp. I’ve heard the Bottlehead Crack is one of, if not the best sounding amp for the HD 650/6xx. Up until now it has been out of my price range. I’ve been looking at the Schiit Magni 3, Little Dot MkIII, Darkvoice, Massdrop x Alex CTH among others, and I can’t decide haha.

    • Lasts for a week. Funny, I'm in the same position as you. I'm part of that August/September HD6XX drop as well and have also been tossing up what to get for them. Had my mind set on a Schiit Jotunheim for a while, but then this deal was announced. Given all of the rave reviews for the HD6XX/Crack combo, it had to be done. Pretty sure I'll be pairing it with a Schiit Modi Multibit DAC, unless something else catches my eye.

  • Anyone in Melbourne want to share an order with the speedball upgrade to get a lower price and save on shipping?

    • That might take it over the $1000 duty limit. Oh, but that excludes the shipping cost doesn't it? So you might be ok.

      Only thing about this is no balanced output.

  • Thanks OP, perfect timing.

  • This is a great deal for a great sounding amp. I audioned a few and ended up with a =n Audio-GD NFB 11.32 but the Bottlehead was an amazing pairing with Beyers, Senns and AKGs.

  • Great deal
    I bought mine for close to 500 or so a while back but have sold it

    • Why didn't you keep it?

      • Bit too inconvenient for my small set-up
        I'm more in favour of a single unit DAC/Amp combo rather than a separate DAC and amp, it's just more tidy and compact.

        • What DAC/Amp did you choose at the end?

  • this or much cheaper Little Dot mk2 / mk3?

    • Here is one comparison for you

      https://www.head-fi.org/threads/amp-a-b-comparisons.521988/p…

      There are some other a/b comparisons as well as teardowns , on the same page.

      Differences I can think of (other than sound)

      • Only 2 tubes on the crack
      • Is it easy to return the little dot if you get a bad one (crack is as reliable as the builder)
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