[Zuqi]

   
What's your budget and if there's a SS/tube preference?

My budget would be around 700 dollars, personally I prefer SS amp as they usually more solid and in most cases, are of smaller sizes. But according to some, the WA3 and the BH crack are the enjoyable choices. What would you recommend in my case? Thanks.

 

[Zuqi]

  I personally prefer the E09K over the Magni or the O2 with the HD600. I think its a great starter amp. But from my time on headfi the most recommended has to be the Bottlehead Crack! 

Thanks for your reply, I've read many possitive reviews on the BHC amp, unfortunatly, I am not good with assembling gadgets.

 

[irishsammy]

  Thanks for your reply, I've read many possitive reviews on the BHC amp, unfortunatly, I am not good with assembling gadgets.

My BH Crack was the first thing I had ever soldered in my life. 
 
It took me 2 nights (about 6 hours total) to finish, not counting the time it took to cut and strip wire (the easy stuff), and I made 2 mistakes.  I fixed those 2 mistakes in about 20 minutes. 
 
And then I had a functioning headphone amp that has turned out to be pretty much my endgame choice paired with Senn HD600s.  I sold a pair of LCD-2 headphones and a Woo WA6-SE in favor of this combo. 
 
It still blows me away every time I turn it on and plug those cans into something I MADE.  Well, that I assembled...but whatever.  And the sound is just beyond amazing.   
 
The point is that if you have a pair of HD600s, the Crack is so fantastic in its finished form that you owe it to yourself to try to put it together...even if you don't think you can put it together.  At least IMO.
 
OK, Dead Horse.  Take THAT...and THAT...that'll teach you!  

    

 

[madwolfa]

  My budget would be around 700 dollars, personally I prefer SS amp as they usually more solid and in most cases, are of smaller sizes. But according to some, the WA3 and the BH crack are the enjoyable choices. What would you recommend in my case? Thanks.

 
Dunno, I would just get an Asgard 2 (SS) and call it a day. It's fairly versatile, compact, maintenance free and will save you cool 450 bucks.
Tubed Valhalla 2 is also a great choice, but less versatile (not really good for low impedance cans if you decide to get LCD-2 at some point).
 
Mjolnir is around your budget, but it's huge and IMO overkill for HD600.
 
Lyr 2 maybe?

 

[betula]

How big challenge is to put together this BH Crack? Do you need any special tool? Like welding and stuff?

 

[imackler]

How big challenge is to put together this BH Crack? Do you need any special tool? Like welding and stuff?

I'm pretty sure you can download the manual. You do need welding soldering tools and space to work. I was on the verge of picking one up until I did some research; if this kind of thing isn't your hobby, I'd think long and hard before purchasing. Though lots of novices make one, from watching videos this is skilled work. Maybe some day I will, but not until I have a dedicate room, no more toddlers in the house, $30 to spend on tools and a bit more for some welding soldering exercises. 
 
Edit. Doh. 

 

[betula]

  I'm pretty sure you can download the manual. You do need welding tools and space to work. I was on the verge of picking one up until I did some research; if this kind of thing isn't your hobby, I'd think long and hard before purchasing. Though lots of novices make one, from watching videos this is skilled work. Maybe some day I will, but not until I have a dedicate room, no more toddlers in the house, $30 to spend on tools and a bit more for some welding exercises. 

Man, this hobby can always surprise me, what more circles of hell it involves...
I might gonna learn welding in the future.

 

[Eee Pee]

It's soldering, not welding.  Big difference.
 
Mjolnir overkill for the 600s?  No way.  Love it every day.

 

[MadMike]

Originally Posted by irishsammy
 
My BH Crack was the first thing I had ever soldered in my life. 
 
It took me 2 nights (about 6 hours total) to finish, not counting the time it took to cut and strip wire (the easy stuff), and I made 2 mistakes.  I fixed those 2 mistakes in about 20 minutes. 
 
And then I had a functioning headphone amp that has turned out to be pretty much my endgame choice paired with Senn HD600s.  I sold a pair of LCD-2 headphones and a Woo WA6-SE in favor of this combo. 
 
It still blows me away every time I turn it on and plug those cans into something I MADE.  Well, that I assembled...but whatever.  And the sound is just beyond amazing.   
 
The point is that if you have a pair of HD600s, the Crack is so fantastic in its finished form that you owe it to yourself to try to put it together...even if you don't think you can put it together.  At least IMO.
 
OK, Dead Horse.  Take THAT...and THAT...that'll teach you!  

    
 
 
 
+1 That is exactly how I feel about the HD600 and my Bottlehead Crack! If you take your time, it's pretty easy!

 

[madwolfa]

  Mjolnir overkill for the 600s?  No way.  Love it every day.

 
Well, nobody said overkill was a bad thing. 

 
But I'd rather spend my money elsewhere, that's just me though.

 

[betula]

  It's soldering, not welding.  Big difference.
 
Mjolnir overkill for the 600s?  No way.  Love it every day.

Soldering. Thanks. 
Apologies.
English is my second language. But this is, how I learn. I live in the U.K. for 4 years now, but never need to use the word soldering so far.

 

[Eee Pee]

I understand madwolfa, having an amp that cost more than the headphone is a little strange, but it just so happens I like the 600s more than the 700s and 800s I have here also.  

 
 
Soldering is very easy and a great skill to possess as a simple handyman type of person.  I've assembled three Bottlehead kits in the past, and they were quite simple.  Don't hesitate.  It's fun, too.

 

[madwolfa]

  I understand madwolfa, having an amp that cost more than the headphone is a little strange, but it just so happens I like the 600s more than the 700s and 800s I have here also.  

 
Yeah, you tell me. I had them for more than 10 years!

 

[betula]

HD-600. The second thing gave me the most of joy in life after women.

 

[Mods12]

Don't know if its just placebo but I read a lot of things about using the hd650 cable on the 600s does it actually make a difference?