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

240

Go to Deal

CeleryMan on 05/05/2018 - 19:11 bottlehead.com (1096 clicks)
Last edited 07/05/2018 - 02:42 by 2 other users

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.

Related Stores

bottlehead.com

• 

  jjcf on 05/05/2018 - 19:33

  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.

  • 

    StarvingOat on 06/05/2018 - 06:13

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

    • 

      blairz1 on 07/05/2018 - 16:19

      +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.

• 

  Volution on 05/05/2018 - 19:33

  +1

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

• 

  Black Hole on 05/05/2018 - 19:44

  What the heal is speedball add on?

• 

  Eggsperential on 05/05/2018 - 19:50

  Thanks OP. Been waiting for this.

• 

  Phade on 05/05/2018 - 20:41

  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.

  • 

    CeleryMan on 05/05/2018 - 22:16

    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.

• 

  Yoomes Bond on 05/05/2018 - 20:45

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

  • 

    wfdTamar on 06/05/2018 - 07:39

    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.

• 

  Juddda on 05/05/2018 - 22:12

  Thanks OP, perfect timing.

• 

  backsideslappy on 05/05/2018 - 22:45

  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.

• 

  rian354252 on 06/05/2018 - 00:10

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

  • 

    Black Hole on 06/05/2018 - 09:02

    Why didn't you keep it?

    • 

      rian354252 on 06/05/2018 - 13:29

      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.

      • 

        SickDmith on 07/05/2018 - 01:55

        What DAC/Amp did you choose at the end?

• 

  Mr Mrrtn on 06/05/2018 - 19:53

  this or much cheaper Little Dot mk2 / mk3?

  • 

    mudvin on 08/05/2018 - 10:22

    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)