Follow-up on the Vietnamese Crack...

[Grainger49]

Guy,

Excellent!  I think you made a breakthrough. 

Here is hoping that you like the upgrade in your system and buy one.  I think the $50 US for assembly and installation is reasonable.  Well, it would be here.

 

[Guy 13]

Guy,

Excellent!  I think you made a breakthrough. 

Here is hoping that you like the upgrade in your system and buy one.  I think the $50 US for assembly and installation is reasonable.  Well, it would be here.

Thanks Grainger49

 

[mcandmar]

Glad your getting somewhere with this Guy.  Find out what tubes your friend is using as that output tube looks interesting, possibly a Bendix or Tung-Sol 6080WB or a Graphite plate, both of which are brighter then the regular 6080's.

 

[Aeolus Kratos]

Glad your getting somewhere with this Guy.  Find out what tubes your friend is using as that output tube looks interesting, possibly a Bendix or Tung-Sol 6080WB or a Graphite plate, both of which are brighter then the regular 6080's.

Hi mcandmar,

You are right. The power tube I've been using is the Bendix 6080WB Slotted Graphite Column Plate and the driver tube is the Tung-sol 12AU7 Long Black Plates.

Hi all.

First his system consisted of the following:
An HP laptop with files downloaded from the Internet I presume they are Lossless ??? We also used my CDs on his laptop.
An AudioGD NFB7 DAC with a Signal Cable coaxial cable
A Bottlehead Crack with the Speedball upgrade.
(Not sure of the 12AU7 + 6080 ?)

I am thinking of another meeting, but that one will be at my house with his Crack to make a side by side comparison with my Rega Apollo, my Signal Cable Interconnects.
Then I will be 100% sure that the weak link in my headphone system is the missing Speedball upgrade.
So for now the conclusion is: Sennheiser HD650 will stay at home, won’t go anywhere.
Happy temporary ending.

Guy 13

Hi Mr.Guy,

I'm very glad that you liked my system and found your way for upgrading. Before I bought my Beyer T1, I had used HD650 for roughly 5 years, so I pretty surely know what the HD650s are capable of. Therefore I suggested you come to my place first before selling your HD650 and get a HD600. It's great that now you had a second thought.

As for the fact you think the speedball upgrade is the 'key' point for the BIG ( I intended to use the word 'huge' or 'night-and-day' but you said you don't believe in such things so I didn't ) difference in sound quality like you heard yesterday, I don't totally agree with it. The speedball upgrade does make a noticeable improvement, but I firmly believe just installing the speedball is not enough. It's because I had tried another stock Crack ( with no speedball ) on my same system and it sounded NEARLY as good as when using my Crack ( using the same tubes and other 'tweaks' ). Another period of time, I tried my Crack ( the same Crack you listened to yesterday ) with my previous setup, the sound was even worse than using the stock Crack with my updated system. It lacked all the dynamics, layers, extension in both ends, very tight and well-controlled bass as well as the 'crystal clear' highs/mids as you described.

So if you are somewhat 'discouraged' with your Crack, don't be. You can bring your Crack and your beloved HD650 to my place to try with my system. I think you will be surprised with how your Crack can sing.

I'm not saying that the Speedball upgrade is bad. It truly is one of the most significant upgrades that you definitely should get, what I mean is there are many other things affecting the sound quality. The Crack is still a fantastic amp even without the speedball.

 

[Guy 13]

A most excellent decision to listen and decide for yourself.

Thanks Doc.
I am trying to organize another test, but next time
it will be a side by side comparison test at my house,
with my set-up and with his and my Crack and my HD650.
That should be the ultimate/final test that will tell me
if spending some hard earned $$$ will be a good investment.
For me even audio investment of only 100 USD must be worth.
If today I'm like that (More or less a cheap skate)
it's because I've spent too many $$$ on audio stuff thru my audiophile life.

Guy 13
Home sweet home,
even if it's on planet Vietnam which is not my home.
 

 

[Guy 13]

Guy,

Excellent!  I think you made a breakthrough. 

Here is hoping that you like the upgrade in your system and buy one.  I think the $50 US for assembly and installation is reasonable.  Well, it would be here.

Hi Grainger49.
Thanks for your kind words.
Have a look at what I wrote to Doc.

Guy 13

 

[Guy 13]

Glad your getting somewhere with this Guy.  Find out what tubes your friend is using as that output tube looks interesting, possibly a Bendix or Tung-Sol 6080WB or a Graphite plate, both of which are brighter then the regular 6080's.

Hi mcandmar.
Now that you mention " Bendix ", seems to ring a bell,
I think that's the brand he's using.
I am using a RCA 6080 with RCA 12AU7 clear top,
I also have a RCA 6AS7G and a bunch of NOS 12AU7.
I will try his Bendix in my Crack (w/o Speedball)
and see/hear if I can hear an improvement with the sound.
Stay tune, more to come.

Guy 13

 

[Guy 13]

Hi mcandmar,

You are right. The power tube I've been using is the Bendix 6080WB Slotted Graphite Column Plate and the driver tube is the Tung-sol 12AU7 Long Black Plates.
Hi Mr.Guy,

I'm very glad that you liked my system and found your way for upgrading. Before I bought my Beyer T1, I had used HD650 for roughly 5 years, so I pretty surely know what the HD650s are capable of. Therefore I suggested you come to my place first before selling your HD650 and get a HD600. It's great that now you had a second thought.

As for the fact you think the speedball upgrade is the 'key' point for the BIG ( I intended to use the word 'huge' or 'night-and-day' but you said you don't believe in such things so I didn't ) difference in sound quality like you heard yesterday, I don't totally agree with it. The speedball upgrade does make a noticeable improvement, but I firmly believe just installing the speedball is not enough. It's because I had tried another stock Crack ( with no speedball ) on my same system and it sounded NEARLY as good as when using my Crack ( using the same tubes and other 'tweaks' ). Another period of time, I tried my Crack ( the same Crack you listened to yesterday ) with my previous setup, the sound was even worse than using the stock Crack with my updated system. It lacked all the dynamics, layers, extension in both ends, very tight and well-controlled bass as well as the 'crystal clear' highs/mids as you described.

So if you are somewhat 'discouraged' with your Crack, don't be. You can bring your Crack and your beloved HD650 to my place to try with my system. I think you will be surprised with how your Crack can sing.

I'm not saying that the Speedball upgrade is bad. It truly is one of the most significant upgrades that you definitely should get, what I mean is there are many other things affecting the sound quality. The Crack is still a fantastic amp even without the speedball.

Hi Khiem.
Thanks for your comments.
I must do a side by side comparison of your and my Crack
just to make double sure if the investment is worthwhile for me.
This is the first step, later I will see what other components can be replace
to improve furthermore the sound.
Don't forget that I am on a very limited budget.

Guy 13

 

[Grainger49]

Guy and I both want to be certain our audio investment will bring improvements in our systems. 

 

[Guy 13]

Guy and I both want to be certain our audio investment will bring improvements in our systems. 

Hi Grainger.
Yes, that's correct, you and me want to be certain our audio investment
will bring improvements in our system,
however, when it comes to available $$$
I am certain that you are ahead of me
and that, without knowing how financially wealthy you are.

Guy 13

 

[Guy 13]

Hi all,
I still have not purchased the Speedball up-grade ! Why you might ask ?
Because right now I am filling my piggy bank to the rim wit some $$$ for my return to my beautiful and civilized country Canada.
After 20 years on planet Vietnam, it's time for me to go back home to kick the bucket.
Today the generous Mr. Thi from Thivan Labs in Vietnam gave me free of charge a Bendix Jan-CEA 6080WB tube (Metal base with graphite plates.)
I did a quick listen comparing the RCA 6AS7G and the Bendix 6080WB
and my soon to be 67 years old ears said that the Bendix is a little brighter and maybe got a little more punch. But the difference between the two tubes is so little, that I am not sure of the difference. Both tubes sounds good.
So now I am up to two 6080 and three 6AS7G tubes, plus five 12AU7 of various brands.
So I am good with spare and tube rolling until I kick the bucket,
hopefully/preferrably in Canada.
Just wanted to share that no so psecial event.

Guy 13
 

 

[JamieMcC]

Guy what is this talk of kicking the bucket I hope you are not unwell? 67 is far younger than 77 or 87 which are a decade or two away you still might not have enough tubes yet! 

Jamie

 

[Guy 13]

Guy what is this talk of kicking the bucket I hope you are not unwell? 67 is far younger than 77 or 87 which are a decade or two away you still might not have enough tubes yet! 

Jamie

Hi Jamie,
look as if 67 years went by so fast that for me the next 10, 20 or 30 years,
will arrive tomorrow.
I am Diabetes type 2, I am anemic, my legs are tired of carrying my old carcass
but other than I'm fine.
Kicking the bucket is for me a funny way to talk about the end.
Thanks for your kind words and your worried about me.

Guy 13

 

[Guy 13]

Hi all,
Yesterday evening, I did one hour of serious tube rolling
And I came to the no surprise conclusion that it is very difficult for me
and my soon to be 67 year’s old ears to tell the difference
between my collections of NOS tubes.
During my tube rolling session I thought at times,
that I could hear a difference between some tubes,
but after several swaps I was not sure anymore.
However, I think the following tube give me the impression of being
a little better sounding than the remaining of my collection.
Maybe 10% better sounding, but again, not really sure ????
Raytheon 12AU7 (Thomas organ USA 1957) and
RCA 6AS7G.
From time to time, I will try again with other tubes,
just in case I can hear some differences, but I think not…
After complaining in several of mu posts about the Sennheiser HD650
being veil and dark, I guess I am now getting use to that kind of sound,
not that I like it, but I can live with it.
I am sure many could find my combo (Bottlehead Crack/Senneiser HD650)
very good sounding and I would agree with them.
If someone suggest to me the Speedball upgrade
or better tubes model and make, I have to pass, right now,
I have invested enough money on my headphones set up.
Thanks.

Guy 13

 

[STURMJ]

my experience is that, tubes of the same types sound pretty much the same (but different). That is there are differences but not typically night and day different, the differences are subtle .

 

[Guy 13]

my experience is that, tubes of the same types sound pretty much the same (but different). That is there are differences but not typically night and day different, the differences are subtle .

Hi STURMJ,
Yes, to me the differences in sound from one tube to an other
is very difficult to tell.

Guy 13
 

 

[Guy 13]

Hi all,
I am now back in my home country Canada.
After 20 years on planet Vietnam, I had to get back to where I was born.
I temporarily left my Bottlehead Crack on planet Vietnam.
Hopefully it will join me when I have permanently settle down,
which might take anywhere between a few months to one year.
I do miss my Crack...
My wife is taking care of my Crack, she's not using it,
but watching it so no one get close to it.

Guy 13

 

[galyons]

Hi all,
....I do miss my Crack...
My wife is taking care of my Crack, she's not using it,
but watching it so no one get close to it.

Guy 13

Oh Guy!!!  I REALLY should let this go, (especially since English is your second language), but given my gutter mind and the innuendo naming protocol of BH products....I just managed to get up off the floor and stop laughing!!!!

Welcome home bon ami!!

Cheers,
Geary

 

[Grainger49]

  .  .  .  I do miss my Crack...
My wife is taking care of my Crack, she's not using it,
but watching it so no one get close to it.

Guy 13

Guy, I'm a very visual guy.  I got a mental picture of your wife hovering over the Crack watching it closely.

Geary, did you just call him a scouring powder?  ;D

 

[Guy 13]

Hi all,
O.K. you guys, you are taking advantage of my bad choice of English words.
Now that you mentioned it and that I have read again my post,
I realize that using the word Crack the way I did was opening the door to
some jokes about my bad choice or the way I wrote my thoughts.
I have a good sense of humor, so I accept being laugh at...
Next time, I will try to be more careful in my choice of words and read twice what I wrote
before I push the Send button.
Thanks for making me laugh.

Guy 13
By the way, sorry to say that my Vietnamese wife cannot take care of my " Crack "
since I am in Canada and she's on planet Vietnam.  :-[