Crack;Bottlehead OTL
Sep 16, 2022 at 10:36 AM Post #11,671 of 12,335
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Aw yeah. Gonna be a fun weekend
 
Sep 17, 2022 at 11:38 AM Post #11,673 of 12,335
Sep 17, 2022 at 11:42 AM Post #11,674 of 12,335
Sep 17, 2022 at 10:27 PM Post #11,675 of 12,335
Should I pick up a different volume pot before I get much further in assembly? Like an Alps 100K Blue Velvet or something? The volume pot seems to be a highly recommended component to upgrade. Any other component I should consider upgrading before assembly, too?
 
Sep 17, 2022 at 10:43 PM Post #11,676 of 12,335
Should I pick up a different volume pot before I get much further in assembly? Like an Alps 100K Blue Velvet or something? The volume pot seems to be a highly recommended component to upgrade. Any other component I should consider upgrading before assembly, too?

Yeah, the idea of rolling and comparing pots is a bit silly, so starting with something good from the start is a lot easier. Alps Blue is OK. I have a TKD 2CP2511 which is better.

Most important thing to consider from the start is some way to mount big output caps. Screwed in mounting tabs for physical connection, and fly leads for electrical connection.
 
Sep 17, 2022 at 10:49 PM Post #11,677 of 12,335
Yeah, the idea of rolling and comparing pots is a bit silly, so starting with something good from the start is a lot easier. Alps Blue is OK. I have a TKD 2CP2511 which is better.

Most important thing to consider from the start is some way to mount big output caps. Screwed in mounting tabs for physical connection, and fly leads for electrical connection.
<checks price of TKD 2CP2511>

:scream:

Okay, Alps money is much more my speed at the moment, lol. For $20, is it worth using instead of the pot Bottlehead ships with the Crack kit?
 
Sep 17, 2022 at 11:20 PM Post #11,678 of 12,335
<checks price of TKD 2CP2511>

:scream:

Okay, Alps money is much more my speed at the moment, lol. For $20, is it worth using instead of the pot Bottlehead ships with the Crack kit?

I have the same tkd that Beefy recommended in my crack, and it is a very nice pot. That said, I view it as a non-essential upgrade, and it is easy enough to replace in the future if you decide the channel imbalance at the very lowest volumes are a problem in your setup.

I actually ended up repurposing the stock crack pot in my wire se-se build years after the fact. Had planned on it as a temporary measure to get things up and running, but since it is a unity gain amp, I never really have the volume below 8pm anyway. Five or six years later, I still haven't come up with a reason to swap it. TLDR - film output caps and tubes are a better spot to sink funds to my ears - subject to the channel imbalance comment above.
 
Sep 17, 2022 at 11:42 PM Post #11,679 of 12,335
<checks price of TKD 2CP2511>

:scream:

Okay, Alps money is much more my speed at the moment, lol. For $20, is it worth using instead of the pot Bottlehead ships with the Crack kit?
To make your life easy if you install the Alps pot get a pcb board from eBay for like a buck. You may need to shave/snip one side to make it fit.
I used a Dremel to trim mine.
it’s better than trying to solder onto the pins of the pot.

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Sep 18, 2022 at 5:13 AM Post #11,680 of 12,335
I have the same TKD as Beefy and skeptic. It really is super smooth to turn as well.
 
Sep 18, 2022 at 1:43 PM Post #11,682 of 12,335
I see three values values: 10K, 50K and 100K. Which one would be the proper one?

The kit is 100k. A 50k would be fine too. My Crack has the 50k, padded by 50k resistors in series, which gives -6dB additional attenuation.

With regard to the relative importance of the attenuator as an upgrade.... People put it low on the list, but I think that sells it short. The entire signal goes through the attenuator, just the teeniest little strip of carbon film and a wiper sliding along it. I can't think of a more critical place where sound could get degraded.
 
Sep 18, 2022 at 4:02 PM Post #11,684 of 12,335
I've finished a Crack the other day. And thought it was time to share a family picture.
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Let me be the first to say, you have a beautiful family!!
 

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