Crack Impressions after Speedball upgrade

[jsrussell]

Hi All, had great fun putting together a Crack this fall, loved the sound also. I recently installed the Speedball upgrade and I'm not sure if my ears just prefer the more tubey sound of the original Crack, or if I have a problem somewhere in my Speedball upgrade.

I'd like to put a few questions out there if could:

Since installing the Speedball upgrade, I feel like the sound actually got thinner. I feel like I lost some of the magical quality that the Crack was putting out before. The other thing that I notice is that the volume control is less responsive than it was before. Like I can go all the way to 50% now, without a significant change in the volume output, where previously, 50% would be way, way too loud.

Speedball:

- elevates your amp’s dynamics, clarity, and resolution. By replacing the stock plate load resistors with active current sources, Speedball tightens bass, improves treble extension, and enhances imaging without losing the signature warmth and smoothness of the original design​

I'm not hearing enhanced imaging, it actually sounds flatter, and I feel there has been a significant loss of warmth.

I know so many people feel the Speedball has been a great improvement in sound and so I'm wondering if I have a problem somewhere. I've triple checked all my voltages and connections, everything seems in spec with the manual. I'm including my voltages here. I'm trying to determine what else I can check. I wonder if I have a problem with one of my capacitors or transistors? Or is it possible I have somehow slightly damaged one of my tubes while putting together the Speedball? Would a problem in one of these areas show up in my voltages, or do I need to somehow check my capacitors, transistors and tubes independently? That's all I can think of to check, that hasn't already been tested and checked many times. Also, one of my capacitors looks a little melted for some reason, not sure why. AI tells me this capacitor is a problem, when I feed it the attached picture below.

I've been doing extensive reading in the tube rolling thread, and so far I've been reluctant to fall down that black hole The prices seem to be getting so steep now for the coveted TS 5998.

I really appreciate anyone's ideas or feedback to my questions on the build.

Main Terminals
T1 81V (spec calls for 50-100V)
T2 181V (spec calls for 170V)
T4 181V (spec calls for 170V)
T5 78V (spec calls for 50-100V)
T7 113V (spec calls for 90-115V)
T9 111V (spec calls for 90-115V)

Speedball Small board
0A 82V (spec calls for 60-90V)
1A 181V (spec calls for 170-270V)
B-A/B 0V (spec calls for 0V)
1B 182V (spec calls for 170-270V)
0B 78V (spec calls for 60-90V)

Speedball Big board
OA 112V (spec calls for 75-100V)
OB 114V (spec calls for 75-100V)
G 0V (spec calls for 0V)
B+ 181V (spec calls for 170-195V)

 

[Thermioniclife]

I preferred the small board on the speedball upgrade and listened to that for about a month. after installing the large board i felt that the amp lost it's charm. I have the parts to pull out the large board. I'LL get around to it someday but my go to amp is the Mainline and for a change of flavor I
have a C2A also.

 

[jsrussell]

I've discovered the problem, but I don't know what changed or how to address it. I know the problem is with the Headphone Jack/Output. Today while listening I inserted the jack just slightly 'differently' while listening and my headphones just came absolutely alive. Not entirely sure where the source of the problem is but now I'm getting just fantastic sound, and I don't know what to troubleshoot since now it's working. It's either the saudering at the jack output, or somewhere before that I guess possibly.

The speedball upgrade sounds absolutely fantastic!

 

[Paul Birkeland]

It's very common for one of the black wires on the headphone jack to not be totally captured by solder, so I'd really get in there and tug on those two wires to be sure they are well soldered.