The Bottlehead Crack DIY Tube Headphone Amp Kit

[@Cambaudio]

Miss your reviews Tyll, you were the absolute best. End of an era when you left 6 years later :-(

[@FRRRRAAANNK]

Before soldering a wire onto the female RCA jacks I always insert a male RCA plug. This prevents the heat from deforming the insulation; especially on the economy RCAs.

[@NikolayZaynelov]

Hint: When soldering RCA jacks cut about 10mm solder, fold it in half and put it in the RCA jack. When the soldering iron touch and melt it put the conductor in the hole and keep still for a couple of seconds.

[@artl52]

Nicely done! For an old electronics hobbyist like me, nice to learn a couple things I've forgotten over the years I've been away from the hobby. I'm looking forward to building the Crack as my first foray back into the DIY world. Thx.

[@DigitalZombie90]

Amazing video, love all the detail. I am an electrical engineer and learned a couple cool tricks just watching your video.

[@jimcatanzaro7808]

This amplifier is about 40 dollars to build if u can source the parts used but not the case you can make your own just get the schematic I restore old tube amplifiers and been making builds like this for years in the winters This is a great kit to get someone in the hobby also building a fender champ 5 watt amp that was fun But for me 250 dollars could get me a HH Scott 222c unrestored and have a fully integrated tube amp

[@gjseitz]

Thanks for this! I just ordered my Crack with Speedball mod a couple of days ago. It's been years since I've done any serious soldering and this was a great refresher. Since Bottlehead recommends this for high-impedance cans, I'll be pairing my Beyerdynamic DT990 (600 Ohm) to it. I only wish there was room for a second set of inputs, but I'll shell out the $50 for a Schiitt SYS passive amp.

[@greghardy2676]

Absolutely the best video presentation I have seen bar none...well done...esp soldering technique!

[@drivn4895]

I'm in the process of building mine and this video helps out a ton. Great tips to help the process go smoothly. Thank you!

[@k1rnupiima]

This is great! I actually have another FTL project going myself and this gave some good soldering tips when I finally patch it up in a proper casing. And it looks so neat that I have to try to top that!

[@teamstevensonGenEric]

Great video much appreciated lessons on soldering and wicking techniques. If they haven't already Bottlehead owes you an amp or two for motivating and inspiring sales for them. Thank you for putting this together sir!

[@InnerFidelity]

Yes. I just got one, and I find it surprisingly good.

[@russellesimonetta3835]

That bare solid core is for the ground buss. You can route and bend turn corners . Solder in and it holds it shape. Many guitar amps are wired with solid core for that reason. No sphagetti flopping around .

[@BuefordWilson]

This was great thorough video. I've been wanting to build a tube headphone amplifier since I finished my tube guitar amp. This gives me a great idea of what to expect. Thanks for posting!!

[@TheSandvichTrials]

I like the retro looking lightbulb things on the top of amps.

[@InnerFidelity]

Haven't built or heard the S.E.X. but if the Crack is any indicator, the build is probably very well documented.

[@InnerFidelity]

The HD 25-1 II is a 70 Ohm impedance headphone, which is not a good pairing with this 120 Ohm output impedance amp.

[@rjprivate]

Great video on this amp

[@miceblue425]

Because many "modern" amps don't use vacuum tubes anymore. I can't think of any non-audiophile equipment that still uses tubes for amplification. In terms of sound quality, solid state amps are better than tube amps since they have less distortion.

[@scramble45]

Like your shirt dude.

[@DannoCrutch]

That is quite a bit larger than I anticipated. Heard it was a pretty decent amp, all things considered, especially as a DIY. Going on my short list!

[@RemX405]

Don't listen a single thing people says online about subjective quality of a headphone. It is worth nothing since everyone repeat the first thing said like the famous Sennheiser veil that never existed IMO (I own a 650). If you can try different pairs, that's the best thing you can do. Otherwise, I don't think you can go wrong with a DT880, Sennheiser HD600/650, AKG Q701/K702 and so on (tested them all). Buy the one YOU like, test it for a while and then learn your tastes. Best of luck!

[@InnerFidelity]

Oh, it'll take me a little while as I've got to figure out how to get audio from my tester through a bluetooth connection, but the gear is on the way to do it.

[@InnerFidelity]

Both tubes handle both left and right channels.

[@jerydkern2070]

You are not supposed to cut the excess leads as close as possible. You cut them right above the meniscus the solder creates on the lead. If you cut below the meniscus you should reflow the connection.

[@EricBichan]

I love your reviews and your shirts! Thanks Tyll!

[@HenriHellBoy]

Enjoyed your effort of making this clear DIY video..."I love the smell of exploded El-Co's in the mornin' ! '"...just kidding. I am never too old to make mistakes...and learning from them...KZbin really replaces TV and Books more and more. Keep up the good cause...electronics is still fascinating and the retro old stuff also is worth too discover some more ! greets from the Netherlands... Henri

[@InnerFidelity]

They sound good too.

[@derbigpr500]

Damn the Bottlehead is a big amp. I always thought it was quite small. Anyway, great video. Made me wanna do the project myself.

[@TaeFace93]

Yessss, new video. Love it.

[@TheSandvichTrials]

They remind me of the lightbulbs in old radios

[@miceblue425]

Hi Tyll, very nice video. The soldering/desoldering tutorial is really helpful...my Altoids CMoy amp had a bunch of issues due to soldering, desoldering, resoldering, troubleshooting components in the circuit. I was actually looking to purchase a Bottlehead amp some day when I get the money (I'm a Seattleite, and attended the last meet at Bottlehead HQ). I noticed that the Crack is meant for high-impedance headphones, which many average consumers don't have. Would you recommend their S.E.X. amp?

[@tonyg.4439]

Excellent instructional video.

[@EdwinKlippenstein]

Surprisingly useful video. Good info

[@92appletree]

are you going to consider doing a review on parrot zik headphones?

[@tachumi]

Great video Tyll! ever Tried any of the budget friendly headphone tube amps of Bravo audio?

[@RemX405]

The Crack won't power the HE-500 properly because of its really high output impedence. For the HE500, you need a good solid state/hybrid amp with high current output.

[@HiDanPinto]

Hey Tyll, Im pretty new to all this but have a pair of sennhieser hd 25 because of your great review of it. Would this amp change their sound substantially or is this over kill them? Thanks

[@tamarazawada]

Hi Tyll. First of all i wanna say i apreciate all the great work you are doing, amazing stuff, you are deffinately my number one reviewer for audio stuff :) Now a question. What do you think of pairing this DIY amp with AKG k701? They are lower ohms then what you recommended for this amp, so is there any better option for a DIY amp for these cans? Thank you!

[@tamarazawada]

Thank you, this helps a lot :)

[@memeoid1]

Can you elaborate on how to choose the right amp?

[@TommyGun8142]

Hey Tyll, could you recommend an amp for the Shure SRH840, I'm new to the audiophile game and want to spend around $100, or more if necessary. Thanks, Tom.

[@dentonino]

big thanks you tyll for a super useful video especially for a novice like me !

[@TommyGun8142]

Thank you, I'll check it out.

[@92appletree]

nice, looking forward to it.

[@erronousactions]

I'd seriously suggest using no-clean flux along with solderingh, at least with this method, because even if the solder has internal flux (you never said anything about that InnerFidelity) because when you tip, like InnerFidelity, then you burn off all the flux from the solder.. So .. Use flux .. minimize the risk of a bad solderjoint just a tiny bit more .. Kit isn't none too cheap after all =)

[@MrGallade475]

it has an aux jack if i'm not mistaken.

[@kevincamel8553]

What is the brand and model of soldering iron you are using ?

[@johnnyg6732]

very nice vid. a lot of great info. thanks

[@thesilvertechie3070]

Thanks for the video, very cool!

[@HiDanPinto]

thank you!

[@willmatiq]

Great vid, thanks Tyll!

[@arncj18]

so how much did this DIY project cost at the end?

[@Alexandra-Rex]

What do you think about using this amp for Sennheiser HD429 for bass heavy music?

[@MichaelMagill1990]

Haha man, ran into this guy again. Subbed.

[@RemX405]

Don't forget to upgrade every part of your chain to. Source --> DAC --> Amp

[@electrocomm]

13:52 nice smoking cap :> Beautiful Project

[@husnainanwaar1992]

what do you think of the iPhone 5`s headphones ?

[@greenrolaids]

when is Val K going to send you the New M-100's for review..

[@wongelfski4681]

How hard would a multi-band tube eq be to build?

[@aumkar2]

Great explanation Tyll :)

[@InnerFidelity]

JDS Labs O2

[@Jayesama]

How do they look "retro"?

[@Blu0tuth0ninja]

what if you modded the kit to use the same tubes as the wa3?

[@derbigpr500]

Would this be a worthy amp for Beyer T1's?

[@r3fre5h_iwnl]

Can you please review the AKG K267?

[@grady7443]

Is this a better tube amp than the Darkvoice 336 s e?? Bout the same price!

[@savagesalvage4957]

grady jr Much better amp. You're not paying for labor so you can have much better parts for the same price as long as you do it yourself!

[@grady7443]

Thank's, however, that would be a problem since I am not electronics savvy. I might be interested if I found someone selling a fully functioning completed amp.

[@ashneel99]

how would the o2 be with the HD650?

[@russellesimonetta3835]

Good job , time for a 300b.

[@Blumtoid]

Thanks a lot for this vid :) Very sympathic - i'd buy you a beer :)

[@Le07S]

whats the brand of the speakers behind you?

[@pesto9]

Harbeth

[@arthurwatts1680]

Don't do Crack, kids - when Tyll filmed this he had a home : he is now officially homeless ;)

[@cheapandeasy1715]

Ha! Wish I could give you ten thumbs up.

[@MikeHenrick1]

Is it any good for HD700's

[@LancerFIN]

It pairs amazingly with HD700's. Absolutely recommended.

[@LancerFIN]

***** I use Gustard X12 but I don't own the HD700 anymore. It doesn't really matter. Set yourself a budget and buy DAC with features which you need.

[@N3gat1veK]

Anyone heard the denon ah-d600 yet? Any better headphones at this price level?

[@hokieboy01]

Those HD650s :D

[@TheSandvichTrials]

Yeah didn't have time to watch the entire video, just noticed that they looked cool xD

[@episodesglow]

It's good enough to drive the HD650. You don't need anything else.

[@michaelhayes5316]

That's not Tommy Bahama it's Toni Montana,ya wanna meet mt little tube headphone amp? Sorry bro had to do it.Thanks for the video I MIGHT TRY IT when the extra cash comes rolling in.

[@skyhacker6]

8 hours to build that ? You have to make the capacitor youself or what ?! I don't get it.

[@ashneel99]

Has anyone heard the Torpedo Amp?

[@smittyboy]

Lol Those are vacuum tubes.

[@DozifJuggles]

not saying second

[@MikeHenrick1]

great video, really helpful, When you say Soder do you mean Solder, ;-) as soder sounds rude

[@MikeHenrick1]

lol,

[@curtisfranks3580]

flipping off your audience is not good.

[@qualitests]

not saying first

[@alaingingras7224]

Ya ,man 249.00US$😃