[pdrm360]

   
Loquah's "Bottlehead Amplifier Discussion / Comparison Thread: Crack, SEX & Mainline" bb might be of interest some nice write up on the amps and comparisons between them in the first few posts.
 
http://www.head-fi.org/t/683012/bottlehead-amplifier-discussion-comparison-thread-crack-sex-mainline

 
The reviews are based on the T1.

 

[parbaked]

^ Good read...thanks for that...cheers!
Mimics my impression that the Crack is euphonic but having separate tubes for each channel does increase imaging and detail. Guess one needs both! 

 

[Solitary1]

   
IMO, the Lyr pairs better with the HD650 than the Pan Am, but the Crack is a different story. 

I guess I am gonna try the Lyr. When you say the Crack is a different story, what do you mean?

 

[parbaked]

   When you say the Crack is a different story, what do you mean?

EUPHONIC!

 

[pdrm360]

  I guess I am gonna try the Lyr. When you say the Crack is a different story, what do you mean?

 
I just heard the stock Crack with the HD700, but everyone says the Crack is better than the Lyr for the HD650. 
 
MattTCG has both of them and he believes the Crack + Speedball is in a different league for the HD650 in compare to the Lyr . 

 

[MattTCG]

   
I just heard the stock Crack with the HD700, but everyone says the Crack is better than the Lyr for the HD650. 
 
MattTCG has both of them and he believes the Crack + Speedball is in a different league for the HD650 in compare to the Lyr . 

 
Yes, I do. 

 The only issue is that the crack is really dedicated for high impedance hp's like the hd6x00. The lyr will be better handling a variety of hp's. For anyone who want to settle down for the long with the hd6x00, just get the crack and be done. 

 

[pdrm360]

^^ By the way, how is the Atlanta weather now? some of my colleagues there are enjoying music at home. Good for them!

 

[MattTCG]

Weather is fine. Funny, got up this morning and it was a winter wonderland with about 3 inches of snow and ice. By 2:00...all gone. 

 

[Solitary1]

  EUPHONIC!

I've been thinking about Crack, but, heard the Pan Am beats it with 650's, so, was thinking going another step up for my next tube amp like a Woo WA2 or the Icon Audio HP8.

 

[pdrm360]

  I've been thinking about Crack, but, heard the Pan Am beats it with 650's, so, was thinking going another step up for my next tube amp like a Woo WA2 or the Icon Audio HP8.

 
The Pan Am beats the Crack for the HD650s!?
The WA2 is magic for the T1 (as the Crack is for the HD650) but doesn't pair well with HD650. Actually the WA2 is too warm for the HD650s. 

 

[JamieMcC]

  I've been thinking about Crack, but, heard the Pan Am beats it with 650's, so, was thinking going another step up for my next tube amp like a Woo WA2 or the Icon Audio HP8.

 
The HP8 mk2 was on my shopping list also, but I decided to go with the Crack which was less than half the cost of the standard HP8 MK2 even with shipping to the uk. Add the Jenson cap upgrade to the HP8 and it starts to mount up quickly. I would be very interested to compare the two.

 

[pdrm360]

   
The HP8 mk2 was on my shopping list also, but I decided to go with the Crack which was less than half the cost of the standard HP8 MK2 even with shipping to the uk. Add the Jenson cap upgrade to the HP8 and it starts to mount up quickly. I would be very interested to compare the two.

 
I am very interested to know how the HP8s are in compare to the Crack. I've just heard good things about them as same as the Crack. 

 

[Solitary1]

   
The Pan Am beats the Crack for the HD650s!?
The WA2 is magic for the T1 (as the Crack is for the HD650) but doesn't pair well with HD650. Actually the WA2 is too warm for the HD650s. 

That's was I heard. Have not heard a comparison myself.

 

[Solitary1]

   
The HP8 mk2 was on my shopping list also, but I decided to go with the Crack which was less than half the cost of the standard HP8 MK2 even with shipping to the uk. Add the Jenson cap upgrade to the HP8 and it starts to mount up quickly. I would be very interested to compare the two.

You make a good selling point for the Crack. Maybe I will think over before I spend my money.

 

[pdrm360]

  That's was I heard. Have not heard a comparison myself.

 
I really liked the Pan Am for the HD700, more than the Crack.  
WA7 > Pan Am > BHC