Tube amp upgrade for Sennheiser HD6XX

[Grado Diesel]

I just bought a pair of Sennheiser HD6XX’s from massdrop a few months ago. Right now I’m driving them with a Schiit Vali 2, rolling mostly between 6SN7GT mouse ears and 6SN7 chrome dome. To my ears the 6SN7 size tubes really outshine the 6922’s and ECC88 size tubes in the Vali 2. But I’ve been kind of wondering if I wanted to get a more tubey sound what would be a good amp to match with these cans? Not looking to spend too much but I could justify up to $500 USD.

 

[bgmurph]

Check out the Bottlehead Crack. It’s a kit so you would have to put it together, but if you enjoy that sort of thing it’s fairly simple and they give you plenty of support. It will drive your Sennheiser perfectly.

 

[Grado Diesel]

Check out the Bottlehead Crack. It’s a kit so you would have to put it together, but if you enjoy that sort of thing it’s fairly simple and they give you plenty of support. It will drive your Sennheiser perfectly.

Man I’ve heard those are great. The 1.1 OTL a decent rig for the HD6XX’s? And do you know if I need to get the $79 upgraded 120V power cable for USA?

 

[bgmurph]

I built the Crack about 5yrs ago with the Speedball upgrade and use it with my Sennheiser HD650. I am using the cord that came with it and live in USA. The Bottlehead website has good info and a great community of support and info. I believe there are also people in this forum using the Crack and Senns. Check out the diy section here

 

[Grado Diesel]

I built the Crack about 5yrs ago with the Speedball upgrade and use it with my Sennheiser HD650. I am using the cord that came with it and live in USA. The Bottlehead website has good info and a great community of support and info. I believe there are also people in this forum using the Crack and Senns. Check out the diy section here

How’s the Crack for tube rolling? Does the power tube use 6SN7 size tubes and the pre 6922/ECC88 size?

 

[ProtegeManiac]

I just bought a pair of Sennheiser HD6XX’s from massdrop a few months ago. Right now I’m driving them with a Schiit Vali 2, rolling mostly between 6SN7GT mouse ears and 6SN7 chrome dome. To my ears the 6SN7 size tubes really outshine the 6922’s and ECC88 size tubes in the Vali 2. But I’ve been kind of wondering if I wanted to get a more tubey sound what would be a good amp to match with these cans? Not looking to spend too much but I could justify up to $500 USD.

Little Dot Mk2

 

[ostewart]

This is a little over your budget, but a great option:

https://www.upscaleaudio.com/collections/feliks-audio/products/feliks-audio-echo-headphone-amplifier

 

[bgmurph]

How’s the Crack for tube rolling? Does the power tube use 6SN7 size tubes and the pre 6922/ECC88 size?

Not really into tube rolling, but I know a lot of people do it, as well as modify the amp itself with bigger caps etc. it’s a great platform if you want to use it for that, but I just listen. When I installed the Speedball I also upgraded the pot, but that wasn’t necessary and the only thing I have done since is replace one tube because I dropped it. Otherwise I just listen and enjoy.

 

[Grado Diesel]

Not really into tube rolling, but I know a lot of people do it, as well as modify the amp itself with bigger caps etc. it’s a great platform if you want to use it for that, but I just listen. When I installed the Speedball I also upgraded the pot, but that wasn’t necessary and the only thing I have done since is replace one tube because I dropped it. Otherwise I just listen and enjoy.

Does the Crack come with the tubes?

 

[bgmurph]

Yes, it comes with everything you need except solder. Bottlehead is in Washington state and they have a lot of kits aimed at audiophiles. Check out the website Bottlehead.com

 

[buke9]

You would be hard pressed to find a better amp for the 650’s than a Crack it is like they were made for each other.

 

[Grado Diesel]

The more I read the more I’m seeing that! Is the speedball upgrade a necessity? What does that do to the sound?

 

[bgmurph]

The more I read the more I’m seeing that! Is the speedball upgrade a necessity? What does that do to the sound?

It’s a current source upgrade. The web site can give you a better description, but it’s usually the first modification people make. It’s not necessary, but makes the amp sound better. I added about a year after I first built the amp, and to my ears it just upgraded everything.

 

[Grado Diesel]

Just curious is there a Woo Audio amp that pairs nicely with the HD650’s?

 

[ProtegeManiac]

Just curious is there a Woo Audio amp that pairs nicely with the HD650’s?

WooAudio WA3 but if you might use lower impedance, low sensitivity headphones might as well just blow another $100 on the WA6.