How is the Crack hooked up? In my setup, I had a lot of issues using USB dacs. All my problems went away when using a DAC with optical. I was able to isolate the usb power on my desktop as the culprit by using my USB dac with a laptop on battery (no noise).   It's worth a shot to to try...

  Yeah - I am in the states... shipping is probably prohibitive. The last time I was in Europe was for the Love Parade in Berlin, Germany in 2000 - maybe for my next visit. Thanks for the offer though! You did some great work on your bottlehead! 

    Gasp! I was pursuing through some bottlehead threads looking for case ideas.... and this one is a beauty! Love the legs, smoothed edges, and especially the knob. Where can I get a knob like that? 

Greyhamster - Thanks so much for the impeccable wiring job and selling me a well built Crack! I had to add the lego air vents to add more "air" to the sound. I don't know why more people don't have them? I think they help my gear breathe and improve the overall spaciousness of the sound.  ...

I actually was able to score 2 WE 421a's off of a fellow craigslister at a great price. They are tremendous tubes. I currently have them paired with a CBS Hytron 5814a OR an RCA Clear top depending on my mood. Both the CBS, RCA, and crack with speedball were sourced through head-fi members. The...

So, I recently purchased a Bottlehead Crack from a fellow head-fier and wanted to do some work on the provided wooden base. The conundrum is that I wanted to listen to it while working on the base. The only thing I had laying around was........ LEGOS!! I confess... once I started, I couldn't...

Problem resolved - I wanted to update the forums in case someone else like me decided to search for a solution to a similar problem.   Solution - installed a sound card that provides optical out to a FIIO E17 connected to an E09k. This eliminated all noise except a very slight high pitched...

I have used the Asus DG and Asus DGX. Very similiar cards, main difference is PCI vs PCI-Express interface.

Update - received Schiit Wyrd USB decrapifier. It cut noise down by about 80 percent. I still have a bit of high pitched whine.   Also, it looks like the lenovo desktop that I am using uses a special proprietary 14 pin power connector to the motherboard, which will make installing another...

I have and use both budget sound cards (less than 50 bucks - posted an example below) and Fiio products (E17 + E09k), and I find that E17 provides:   a.) Slightly better sound production (mainly slightly better detail - but it could be that there is less noise) b.) Blacker background...

Additionally, I didn't mentioned that I have been running both laptops off their built in batteries. No DC connection - but I think that only makes the power supply to the USB on the desktop more suspect.   Thanks for that information! Before I start cutting cables, I am going to try the...

I don't have one handy - but for my own sanity, I could order one - they ARE handy. Additionally, in my frustration - I ordered a schiit wyrd through amazon via prime. Should be here Thursday.   Would a powered USB avoid taxing the power supply in the PC? I have been reading that galvanic...

I need some help here trying to isolate what I suspect is noise coming from my computer's USB bus. Additionally, since this pertains to a bottlehead crack, I will be posting there as well - but I already know, love, and have a username established here... so here goes.   I am currently hearing...

Looking to perhaps try out some new schiit. Namely the modi 2 uber. I bought a Vali (in the mail) off a head fier recently and thought it may be time to bite the bullet and invest in a new dac.   Currently I have a NuForce Icon HD (dac/amp combo), and it powers a pair of Sennheiser HD650s...