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Valhalla vs Crack for HD650

post #1 of 21
1/2/12 at 5:28am
Thread Starter 

Hello all, I am considering my next amp purchase for my Sennheiser HD 650's and the Valhalla and Crack seem to be getting good reviews. Anyone tried both with the 650's? I don't care that the Crack kit is less expensive, I'm just curious to which one might sound better with the 650's.

 

I know you can tube roll the crack so that may be an advantage although I prefer the looks of the Valhalla but the stock tubes are pretty much their limitation from what I understand.

 

My source so far is FLAC > Monitor 02US...

 

Thanks 

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post #2 of 21
1/2/12 at 9:23am

The Schiit Valhalla isn't as warm as the Bottlehead Crack if that helps. Depends on what kind of sound you're looking for.

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post #3 of 21
1/8/12 at 2:02pm

Like the OP, I'm also considering the Valhalla but surprised by the lack of in-depth Valhalla>>>HD650 reviews. confused.gif

 

I guess I'm looking for more than a " it pairs nicely" comment. smile.gif

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post #4 of 21
1/8/12 at 3:02pm
Thread Starter 

Yeah I just bought a Crack so I can at least let you know how that sounds (when it gets here) even though I can't do a comparison vs the Valhalla. I ended up going for the Crack because there are many more reviews and positive feedback regarding it and people even saying it is better than a Woo Audio WA3 in some cases.

 

I also figure that I can upgrade with the Speedball upgrade and tube roll to scale it up too.

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post #5 of 21
1/8/12 at 6:55pm

Sweet! Let us know what you think of the Bottlehead Crack/HD650 combo after you put some burn-in hours on it.

 

Thanks!

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post #6 of 21
1/8/12 at 8:44pm

I would say Crack. It's a good learning experience, extremely moddable, and is just a very good amp for the price. Several people are saying the Valhalla sounds very solid state.

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post #7 of 21
1/9/12 at 9:42am
Quote:
Originally Posted by mosshorn View Post

I would say Crack. It's a good learning experience, extremely moddable, and is just a very good amp for the price. 


X2

i have learned some things when modding/Diy. The crack is not difficult to build, if you have good soldering skills. 

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post #8 of 21
1/14/12 at 4:42am
Thread Starter 

WelL I got my crack the other day and it sounds so good with the HD650's. Not only that but further confirmation that I made the right choice is that there is a particular tube combination that really makes a difference for me. Since the Valhalla cannot be tube rolled then you'd better like the sound of those stock tubes.

 

I'm not knocking the Valhalla at all especially since I have not heard it but just saying that the tube rolling can make a serious difference. I have a Tung Sol 5998 on the way but the tube I really like so far is the RCA Clear Top 12AU7. I'm surprised I don't see them mentioned here more and that there is no Crack tube rolling thread here although there is one on the Bottlehead forum.

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post #9 of 21
1/14/12 at 11:52am

My Crack shipped yesterday.  So in the next couple of weeks i'll be able to compare it to my Valhalla.  I have the 600s.  The Valhalla does add some sparkle.  I'm hoping the Crack will add that warm tube sound.

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post #10 of 21
3/14/12 at 4:51am
I noticed my valhalla was sparkly in the beginning as well...the sibilance was a bit piercing at times even with my hd650.

A couple of hours burn in for the tubes did wonders and now its much smoother and the sharpness is gone.
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post #11 of 21
3/14/12 at 6:05am

Your gonna have some fun and expensive tube rolling time ahead of you.  Good luck and congrats.

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post #12 of 21
3/14/12 at 1:23pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by hy fi View Post

WelL I got my crack the other day and it sounds so good with the HD650's. Not only that but further confirmation that I made the right choice is that there is a particular tube combination that really makes a difference for me. 

 

You made a nice choice. 

Maybe its time to start a tube rolling thread for the bottlehead? 

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post #13 of 21
3/14/12 at 1:42pm

I was also trying to make this decision recently.  I got to hear the Asgard, Valhalla and Lyr at the Bay Area meet up last month and ended up liking the Valhalla the most of the three with my HD650.  It sounded the most warm and smooth of the three.  I really liked the review on all three at http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/schiit/1.html ... it really seemed to mesh with my (admittedly brief) experience.

 

Then I started researching things... the Little Dot stuff also sounded interesting, but I decided to try the Crack+Speedball route based on what I was reading in this forum and with articles like http://news.cnet.com/8301-13645_3-20047125-47.html.  Things are pretty back-ordered and I'm not sure how quickly I'll be able to build it when I do get it... but I'll get there eventually.

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post #14 of 21
3/14/12 at 3:38pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by hy fi View Post

WelL I got my crack the other day and it sounds so good with the HD650's. Not only that but further confirmation that I made the right choice is that there is a particular tube combination that really makes a difference for me. Since the Valhalla cannot be tube rolled then you'd better like the sound of those stock tubes.

 

I'm not knocking the Valhalla at all especially since I have not heard it but just saying that the tube rolling can make a serious difference. I have a Tung Sol 5998 on the way but the tube I really like so far is the RCA Clear Top 12AU7. I'm surprised I don't see them mentioned here more and that there is no Crack tube rolling thread here although there is one on the Bottlehead forum.


Did you grab the Speedball upgrade?  If not, it's definitely worth getting.

 

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post #15 of 21
3/14/12 at 5:23pm

The speedball option is definately a plus.  It allows for more driver tube rolling.  Try some 12bh7 instead of 12au7.

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