tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2663163979779760684.post4791081694270791783..comments2024-03-18T14:33:16.252-04:00Comments on DIY Audio Electronics from Zynsonix.com: The Bottlehead Crack OTL Headphone AmplifierHiGHFLYiN9 @ Zynsonixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07267488633313702661noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2663163979779760684.post-41863049535147757272013-07-16T21:25:11.008-04:002013-07-16T21:25:11.008-04:00Hi Michael,
I actually don't have the design ...Hi Michael, <br />I actually don't have the design file anymore. From memory, I think it was a free retro font called Diner, you may want to try that. HiGHFLYiN9 @ Zynsonixhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07267488633313702661noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2663163979779760684.post-80035633842129716852013-07-14T21:21:13.977-04:002013-07-14T21:21:13.977-04:00One more question. I really like that custom Bottl...One more question. I really like that custom Bottlehead Badge. Could I get a copy of the Illustrator file for it so I can have one made for myself? If not, could you at least tell me what font you used?<br /><br />Thanks,<br />MichaelAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2663163979779760684.post-68416207201581345242013-07-14T17:49:49.376-04:002013-07-14T17:49:49.376-04:00Thanks for the reply! That was exactly the inform...Thanks for the reply! That was exactly the information I was looking for.<br /><br />-MichaelAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2663163979779760684.post-90911706707871881982013-07-14T16:11:15.188-04:002013-07-14T16:11:15.188-04:00Hi Michael,
Yes, the Obbligatos are bypassing the ...Hi Michael,<br />Yes, the Obbligatos are bypassing the big Solens. You are correct that a choke can add magnetic flux interference if placed too close to another transformer. This was not a problem (I did not hear any noise coming from the new choke install). The right angle connector is a Schurter right angle IEC, Handmade carries them if I recall correctly. The pilot light was wired to the tube heaters.<br /><br />Hope that helps.HiGHFLYiN9 @ Zynsonixhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07267488633313702661noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2663163979779760684.post-31245995467953756852013-07-14T15:15:22.081-04:002013-07-14T15:15:22.081-04:00Nice Amp! I just ordered my kit from Bottlehead a...Nice Amp! I just ordered my kit from Bottlehead and have a couple of questions about your build since I'm planning to do some similar modifications.<br /><br />Which Caps are the Obbligitos bypassing? The Solen 100uF's?<br /><br />I've read that the choke can add noise to the amp if it is in the wrong position relative to the transformer. Did you notice any gain in noise with it in the position you mounted it in or did the amp stay quiet?<br /><br />Where did you get the 90° IEC plug? I can't seem to find them anywhere.<br /><br />Where did you connect the wires for the pilot light? Forgive my lack of knowledge on pilot lights, but is it on all the time or only when the amp is on?<br /><br />Thanks,<br />MichaelAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2663163979779760684.post-79636997444261362402012-04-10T14:00:41.954-04:002012-04-10T14:00:41.954-04:00Hi Giorgio, I'm afraid I don't have that s...Hi Giorgio, I'm afraid I don't have that spec for you, I'd recommend checking with the gents on the Bottlehead.com forum.HiGHFLYiN9 @ Zynsonixhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07267488633313702661noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2663163979779760684.post-37147881183004094682012-04-06T06:07:22.279-04:002012-04-06T06:07:22.279-04:00Hi, very nice work!!! ;-)
I have a couple of quest...Hi, very nice work!!! ;-)<br />I have a couple of questions<br />How much B+ and how much plate voltage for 6080 tube and 12au7 tube?<br />Thank in advance.<br />GiorgioAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2663163979779760684.post-53600822574524979682012-02-26T18:31:54.320-05:002012-02-26T18:31:54.320-05:00Thanks so much for the great information and the &...Thanks so much for the great information and the "just-in-time" response. I picked up the Speed Ball before the price increase. I'll let you know how things turn out.Hellimedahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04810998500094393066noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2663163979779760684.post-44350823372361040012012-02-26T15:02:34.921-05:002012-02-26T15:02:34.921-05:00Hi there Hellimeda. You should definitely pick up ...Hi there Hellimeda. You should definitely pick up the Speedball, it makes a huge difference and I believe it's set to go up in price... today actually. <br /><br />The 2 watt Kiwames are sold as Koa Speers at Mouser. Mouser only has half or so of the available values, and they sell for ~24-44 cents each. The rest you will need to get from PartsConnexion or Percy Audio for ~ $1 each. <br /><br />I wouldn't bother replacing the 10W resistors with anything fancy as they get thrown out when the Speedball is installed. The 5W are just generic wirewound, they are a little nicer than the sandcast resistors that come with the kit imho but they don't really bring any sonic benefit that I noticed. <br /><br />Bypass caps are wired in parallel and a general rule of thumb is that they should be 1% or less of the value they are bypassing. There's plenty to read on Google about bypassing caps, so I won't get into it too much, but using a nicer quality bypass cap can potentially increase detail in coupling configurations. In the power supply, it can help reduce ripple. Some engineers, such as the ones at Bottlehead don't believe that bypassing is worthwhile for various reasons, but other engineers such as John Broskie known for his Aikido amplifiers bypass nearly every cap on his PCBs. As most things in Audio, it comes down to your own experimentation and taste. <br /><br />The Triad C7X seemed to add a little bit of smoothness to the presentation, but it could be placebo. It was quite subtle to these ears.HiGHFLYiN9 @ Zynsonixhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07267488633313702661noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2663163979779760684.post-72911188712400144522012-02-26T11:39:23.826-05:002012-02-26T11:39:23.826-05:00I just got my Crack kit, and your post was my insp...I just got my Crack kit, and your post was my inspiration. I've already got some upgrade parts: Kimber TCSS wiring, Kimber RCAs, teflon tube sockets and PCBs, and a Neutrick locking 1/4" jack. The speedball, DACT, and caps are a ways off, but I think I'd like to upgrade the resistors before I start. I do have some questions for you...<br /><br />Were you able to find a good deal on the Kiwame resistors and what wattage did you use? <br />I see that you have non-stock 10 watt resistors, what did you use for those and the 5 watt (I've only seen Kiwame in 1 and 2 watt)?<br />What benefit did you get from the Triad C7X over the 270 ohm resistor?<br />I get where you upgraded the Solen 100 and 220 uF caps, but how did you wire the Auricap and Audiophiller bypass caps, and what benefit does this give?<br />Did you find it easier to solder the wires to the tube PCB before soldering the PCB to the socket?<br /><br />Great write up. Thanks in advance,<br />HellimedaHellimedahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04810998500094393066noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2663163979779760684.post-8622787150909737992012-02-03T16:51:02.160-05:002012-02-03T16:51:02.160-05:00Hi Eggman, I did try the amp before the Speedball ...Hi Eggman, I did try the amp before the Speedball CCS upgrade, the differences were not subtle. The Speedball really helped to clarify the treble and solidify the bass; everything seemed more dynamic. I did some tube rolling before I settled on a tube. I happened to have a couple of 12AU7s and 6AS7s to roll and settled on the Sylvanias in the picture. Not sure what type they are exactly, but they appear to be 1960s vintage. <br /><br />I did sand and prime the panel before spraying on the Hammerite. It also needs a nice long time to dry, otherwise it will come right off. I've moved on to powdercoating and would recommend that instead.HiGHFLYiN9 @ Zynsonixhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07267488633313702661noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2663163979779760684.post-56728483541211845222012-02-03T16:42:59.682-05:002012-02-03T16:42:59.682-05:00"Very nice implementation. Would you be so ki..."Very nice implementation. Would you be so kind to entertain a few questions please? If so: Did you try the amp before adding the Speedball upgrade? If so, was there a noticeable difference? You have mentioned, in your blogging, that you “need the treble and upper-midrange to be a bit rolled off”. This is how I like it as well. I assume the Sylvania 12AU7, you are using, offers that characteristic. Can you please share which one that is? I have found a few online. Finally, you used Hammerlite paint on the top panel. I like the look of this a lot. Did you prime it first as the instructions indicate not to use it on bare aluminum. As it is not going to be in the elements, I wouldn’t see this being a problem. Thanks in advance, EggManDFW"Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2663163979779760684.post-85908849387836429392011-08-01T11:54:47.872-04:002011-08-01T11:54:47.872-04:00I did own the Woo a while ago. I feel that with th...I did own the Woo a while ago. I feel that with the right tube compliment the "hot rodded" Crack is the better amp. It provides a stronger, more resolving sound.HiGHFLYiN9 @ Zynsonixhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07267488633313702661noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2663163979779760684.post-14751692062463113172011-08-01T10:43:32.499-04:002011-08-01T10:43:32.499-04:00Hello HF9,
If I remember correctly you owned a Woo...Hello HF9,<br />If I remember correctly you owned a Woo Audio 3. Just wondering how the hot-rodded Crack compares to it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2663163979779760684.post-25587986210602624092011-04-02T13:16:57.336-04:002011-04-02T13:16:57.336-04:00More than I'd like to admit ;)More than I'd like to admit ;)HiGHFLYiN9 @ Zynsonixhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07267488633313702661noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2663163979779760684.post-51348556311724309622011-04-02T06:10:43.111-04:002011-04-02T06:10:43.111-04:00So what was your final cost for this build?So what was your final cost for this build?brashgordon1@msn.comnoreply@blogger.com