Crack;Bottlehead OTL

[Blindranger]

My BHC+SB has arrived!

What is the go-to power cable for the BHC? Should I bite the bullet and order the power cord kit directly from Bottlehead?

 

[atomLI631]

My BHC+SB has arrived!
What is the go-to power cable for the BHC? Should I bite the bullet and order the power cord kit directly from Bottlehead?

congrats. absolutely love mine! I use this power cable. works great.

 

[Blindranger]

Does anyone have any suggestions for lowering the gain on a Bottlehead Crack? I'm not aware of any input tubes with a lower gain factor than the 12AU7. I'm not using a preamp and my DAC has a fixed output, so other than turning down the Windows source volume, are there any other options?

I was only able to turn my volume knob up to maybe 7 o'clock before it got way too loud. I can't adjust the digital volume on my streamer or DAC, so I went into Roon, enabled Headroom management, and applied -20db gain. Now I can set the volume range between 9 and 12 o'clock, depending on the track I'm listening to.

I'm still trying to understand (or should I even care) what Headroom Management is doing to my digital signal because Roon now shows I have gone from a "Lossless" to an "Enhanced" signal path.

 

[GPJ7]

I was only able to turn my volume knob up to maybe 7 o'clock before it got way too loud. I can't adjust the digital volume on my streamer or DAC, so I went into Roon, enabled Headroom management, and applied -20db gain. Now I can set the volume range between 9 and 12 o'clock, depending on the track I'm listening to.

I'm still trying to understand (or should I even care) what Headroom Management is doing to my digital signal because Roon now shows I have gone from a "Lossless" to an "Enhanced" signal path.

You can add a resistor network to the volume pot. A total of 4 resistors that will give you more range on the pot and it's easy to do. See details in this post at Bottlehead forum ... look at item #3.

https://forum.bottlehead.com/index.php?PHPSESSID=ht10l6m3qja62h38055k3b1nac&topic=4295.0

 

[bagwell359]

I was only able to turn my volume knob up to maybe 7 o'clock before it got way too loud. I can't adjust the digital volume on my streamer or DAC, so I went into Roon, enabled Headroom management, and applied -20db gain. Now I can set the volume range between 9 and 12 o'clock, depending on the track I'm listening to.

I'm still trying to understand (or should I even care) what Headroom Management is doing to my digital signal because Roon now shows I have gone from a "Lossless" to an "Enhanced" signal path.

Read the thread here and the vendor, if you change some resistors you get a much more nuanced control of the volume.

EDIT: See above post for clear details.

 

[atomLI631]

does adjusting the volume on your source/dac vs using the volume knob on the crack make a difference?

I too don't have a ton of adjustment on the volume pot (unless I'm running 600ohm cans, then I can push it). So, I just use my source (PC) volume and run the crack at like 75%

 

[michael2v]

does adjusting the volume on your source/dac vs using the volume knob on the crack make a difference?

I too don't have a ton of adjustment on the volume pot (unless I'm running 600ohm cans, then I can push it). So, I just use my source (PC) volume and run the crack at like 75%

This is totally fine, despite what the “digital attenuation is not bit-perfect” crowd might tell you.

Rather than re-solder, I just picked up a pair of Harrison Labs 12db attenuators. They also work great.

 

[Derivative]

does adjusting the volume on your source/dac vs using the volume knob on the crack make a difference?

I too don't have a ton of adjustment on the volume pot (unless I'm running 600ohm cans, then I can push it). So, I just use my source (PC) volume and run the crack at like 75%

I run a Topping Pre90 preamp between DAC and the crack, as my listening position is too far to reach the crack's volume knob for adjustments.
I leave the crack at 12 o'clock and adjust volume remotely on the Pre90. No complaints and I don't think it makes a significant difference sonically, while delivering a clear practical advantage.

 

[GreenNeedle]

What tubes does everyone use on your bottlehead?

I'm currently using a Tung Sol 5998 in the back and a Brimar 12AU7 1955 square getter in the front. I don't swap around much unless I buy something that takes the No1 spot. lol

 

[bagwell359]

What tubes does everyone use on your bottlehead?

Are you running speedball option? If so, I'm a staunch E80CC guy for input tube (minor resistor change to support it). 5998 is my output tube of choice as heard on other peoples BHC/BHCs. I have sporadically attempted to find one with even channel matching at a good price, and no luck so far.

 

[haasaaroni]

Not a *huge* tube roller here, and a few months ago sold off my Pendant SE with crazy tube collection. But I was looking for more tube fun to be had with my Crack, so I finally bought a Bendix slotted plate 6080WB on eBay to try out (coming from a Tung-Sol 6520). I am LOVING it so far! Good warmth without getting hazy or muddy, and amazing dimensionality and impact. I feel like it really plays to the BHC's strengths.

 

[GPJ7]

Read the thread here and the vendor, if you change some resistors you get a much more nuanced control of the volume.

EDIT: See above post for clear details.

yes, your post wasn't needed. It was clear the first time.

 

[atomLI631]

is there a maximum voltage input for Crack?

I recently picked up a Wandla and I believe the SE output goes up to 4v. Normal SE outputs are 2V. Wondering if this is a problem with the Crack?

 

[audiowize]

You're limited by the power rating of the potentiometer, so I'd keep it under 130V of signal. Of course at this level the volume will be hard to control, but the amp would still work properly.

 

[Dawgfish]

I'm currently using a Tung Sol 5998 in the back and a Brimar 12AU7 1955 square getter in the front. I don't swap around much unless I buy something that takes the No1 spot. lol

Nice combo! I use the TS 5998 along with a CBS Hytron 5814 black plate. Sounds great to my ears.