[Eargasmo]

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Considering you have both the crack and the WA2, you are the perfect person to ask.  Which do you prefer.  can you do a small comparison when paired with the HD650?  Those are two of the tube amps I'm considering adding to my stable.

 

[jwusoccer]

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I wish i could afford that D:

 

[amandarae]

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  Very nice!!!

 

[MattTCG]

^^that's a really nice looking setup!! I'd be interested in hearing about the crack as well...^^
 
 

 

[Boss429]

Sweet set-up Draygonn, I too would be interested in your thoughts on the Crack. 

 

[Chulta]

I really start to appreciate the hd 650 now when I'm stuck with my portable setup for 6 months. Beautiful pictures do not help to ease my longing!

 

[olddtfan]

 
Has anyone used this Little Dot amp with the 650s and dose it have plenty of drive.

 

[MattTCG]

It does okay at high gain and with the right tubes. This would be considered entry level for the 650 though IMO.

 

[olddtfan]

I am also looking at the Little Dot MKII which would be better. The MKII or MK1+

 

[captouch]

Any comparisons of Lyr vs Crack + speedball would also be interesting. I have the Crack + Speedball (and Bifrost, though not pairing them ATM), and just curious about any direct comparisons with Lyr.

Here are a couple of pictures of my Crack. I personally like the look (not just mine, but overall), but I'm recently into retro anyway.



P.S. This is one thread that's hard to keep up with. Stray for a couple of days and 150+ messages await. Says something about these cans.

 

[MattTCG]

I can't offer a comparative review that includes the Crack. But the lyr has rocked my world!! I used the Asgard before and liked it pretty well, but it just got so danged hot. The lyr does not heat up as quickly nor is the max nearly as high. I don't see myself changing from lyr/bf for many years...

 

[paradoxper]

Quote:

Any comparisons of Lyr vs Crack + speedball would also be interesting. I have the Crack + Speedball (and Bifrost, though not pairing them ATM), and just curious about any direct comparisons with Lyr.
I'll post a pic of my Crack build in a bit. I personally like the look, but I'm recently into retro anyway.
P.S. This is one thread that's hard to keep up with. Stray for a couple of days and 150+ messages await. Says something about these cans.

The crack is really good with dyamics, but the Lyr is overall the better amp, IMO.
 
And +1 on this thread being hard to follow. It's always a fun read when you neglect this thread for a week and you have 60 pages to sort through.
Quote:

I can't offer a comparative review that includes the Crack. But the lyr has rocked my world!! I used the Asgard before and liked it pretty well, but it just got so danged hot. The lyr does not heat up as quickly nor is the max nearly as high. I don't see myself changing from lyr/bf for many years...

The Lyr is an awesome amp, can't say I miss it much, but I did appreciate it and still do. Best tube amp/hybrid under $1k.
+1 on the Asgard being a PITA because of heat, I was actually surprised by how hot that sucker got, More surprised by how cooler
the Mjolnir runs than it.
 
The Crack and Lyr are both really satisfying amps though, they just have different purposes.

 

[RushNerd]

Quote:

The crack is really good with dyamics, but the Lyr is overall the better amp, IMO.
 
And +1 on this thread being hard to follow. It's always a fun read when you neglect this thread for a week and you have 60 pages to sort through.
The Lyr is an awesome amp, can't say I miss it much, but I did appreciate it and still do. Best tube amp/hybrid under $1k.
+1 on the Asgard being a PITA because of heat, I was actually surprised by how hot that sucker got, More surprised by how cooler
the Mjolnir runs than it.
 
The Crack and Lyr are both really satisfying amps though, they just have different purposes.

Assuming you got a chance to try the 650's on an asgard and the other amps you mentioned, what do you think of the 650/asgard combo?

 

[Eargasmo]

Quote:

Any comparisons of Lyr vs Crack + speedball would also be interesting. I have the Crack + Speedball (and Bifrost, though not pairing them ATM), and just curious about any direct comparisons with Lyr.
Here are a couple of pictures of my Crack. I personally like the look (not just mine, but overall), but I'm recently into retro anyway.


P.S. This is one thread that's hard to keep up with. Stray for a couple of days and 150+ messages await. Says something about these cans.

VERY VERY Nice bro!!!
 
I definitely like the darker stain and the black finish.  Looks like you did an amazing job.
 
For my tube amp solution, I have a feeling I'm gonna end up with a $1k+ integrated tube amp.  I am inclined to make a McIntosh amp.
 
But if I go with a sub $1k tube amp, the lyr, crack, or wa6 are probably the 3 i'll consider.  I'm in no hurry, so I want to make sure I make the right purchase.  I want a very natural sounding tube system alonside my SS systems.  Just not sure how far I wanna go with it.

 

[captouch]

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VERY VERY Nice bro!!!
 
I definitely like the darker stain and the black finish.  Looks like you did an amazing job.
 
For my tube amp solution, I have a feeling I'm gonna end up with a $1k+ integrated tube amp.  I am inclined to make a McIntosh amp.
 
But if I go with a sub $1k tube amp, the lyr, crack, or wa6 are probably the 3 i'll consider.  I'm in no hurry, so I want to make sure I make the right purchase.  I want a very natural sounding tube system alonside my SS systems.  Just not sure how far I wanna go with it.

 
Thanks!  The top is actually "oil rubbed bronze" from RustOleum's Universal Metallic Spray Paint collection.  It's not black, but dark brown/bronze with some subtle sparkle to it in certain lighting/angles.
 
Not specific to HD650, but somewhat related: Of course everyone probably knows already about the Vintage Receiver/Amplifier thread, but I've picked up a few old receivers over the past couple/few months, and "hard-to-drive" cans (including orthodynamics) can easily be driven by the HP out of these vintage receivers, with really nice sound as well.  If anyone is on a limited budget, you can get a nice condition older receiver for $35-$75 that will give you an option for driving speakers, speaker taps, or just the HP out.  Get a little retro in your life as well.