Crack;Bottlehead OTL

[Todd R]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrarroyo /img/forum/go_quote.gif Todd, will you be getting the upgrades that are being planned for the Crack?

If I can afford them. (Living off eBay right now)

 

[ironbut]

I broke my word and did a couple of minor upgrades last night. Just signal wire so far (I tried using a TKD pot I had on hand but it was toast,.. literally since it was in a little amp fire I had!). Shielded Cardas 24AWG and solid silver 21AWG from Michael Percy since it was just sitting in my wire bin begging to be used.
That seemed to smooth things out and bring out more details just a hair.
Of course it could be that everything else is burning in so don't hold me to it.

I did spend some more time listening to the DT880's just now and this could be a match made in heaven. Great bass, and smooth, crystal clear highs. So far, it doesn't seem to be presenting as good a soundstage as I'm used to with the Beyers but that's usually the last thing to show up with burn in.
I was going to sell my 880's but I don't think so anymore.

 

[Todd R]

Ok, here's some pictures:
The base glued together.

Metal parts painted with primer.

If you're going to use the base to support the plate while you're building, I suggest protecting the wood with some painters tape.

Installing the hardware. I suggest trimming the front of this bracket as it's very close to the tube mounting socket.

Hardware all bolted in.

2 of my favorite amp building accessories.

Most of the wiring done (I was on a roll)

Close up of the 9 pin socket wiring.

Transformer wiring.

Here's something that I like to do on Bottlehead kits. Since the plate just sits in top of the base, I like to drill some holes in the plate, add some mounting blocks so I can screw it down.

All done!

Probably about 6 hrs work if you take your time, not counting the wood finishing time.

 

[ironbut]

Beautiful job Todd!
Good idea about the blocks and screws. My Seduction has never had the base finished and the plate just sits on it. Probably not a great idea since I live in earthquake country!
I'm gonna try and use silicone glue on the Crack eventually but it's so convenient to use the base to work on it, yours is probably the better idea.

 

[smeggy]

looks awesome, shame my phones are only 50 Ohms.

 

[igotyofire]

are the blocks just glued in? seems like they would fall with too much pressure applied

 

[tdogzthmn]

Todd: Looks great, I like the nice navy-blue color.

ironbut: glad to hear the DT880 pairs well. I hope the amp helps flush out the midrange because I am finding the DT880 to be lagging behind my K271 which has lovely detailed mids.

 

[Todd R]

Quote:

Originally Posted by igotyofire /img/forum/go_quote.gif are the blocks just glued in? seems like they would fall with too much pressure applied

Yes, glued with Elmer's carpenters glue. I dare you to try & tear them out. You can't

 

[atbglenn]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Todd R /img/forum/go_quote.gif Yes, glued with Elmer's carpenters glue. I dare you to try & tear them out. You can't

With Elmer's Carpenter's Glue, the bond is actually stronger than the wood itself.

BTW, Your amp look great. Nice color choice

 

[ironbut]

One very cool thing that no one's mentioned are the tubes that are being supplied with the Crack kit. I've got a bunch of nice tubes in my stash but nothing like Bottlehead Central.
The "tube lottery", as Doc likes to call it, supplies really nice NOS tubes to lucky customers and, unlike every other company I can think of, doesn't just give you a bunch of new production crap that's hardly worth the space they occupy.
I've got a stack of 12au7 types waiting in the wings to try with this amp, but so far, I haven't rolled one yet.
If you've been into tube rolling for long, you'll realize that some highly regarded tubes will cost more per pair than this entire kit!

 

[dannie01]

Great work Todd, your Crack looks a very nice built.

 

[igotyofire]

mine comes tomorrow, so hopefully i will have it built this weekend, I think im going to try and stain the wood as well as this is somthing ive never done b4.

 

[Todd R]

Quote:

Originally Posted by dannie01 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Great work Todd, your Crack looks a very nice built.

Thanks a lot.
FYI if you don't visit the Bottlehead forum often, there are 2 important wiring changes to the kit that you will need to correct if it wasn't done in your manual.
Wiring changes,

 

[Todd R]

Quote:

Originally Posted by igotyofire /img/forum/go_quote.gif mine comes tomorrow, so hopefully i will have it built this weekend, I think im going to try and stain the wood as well as this is somthing ive never done b4.

It's easy.
Personally I would avoid those products that are stain & sealer all in one. I never had good results with those.

 

[ironbut]

I got around to putting a finish on my base yesterday. I routed a little pattern in the front with my Dremel, sanded the crap out of it, applied stain controller, mixed some cherry and dark mahogany gel stain, then applied a bunch of coats of sanding sealer and lacquer. Not perfect but good enough for now.

By ironbut at 2010-04-29

By ironbut at 2010-04-29