Is SEx the best kit of all?

[rsumi]

I may not be understanding wiring just right yet, sorry. ;D I was under the impression that you get more signal with a twisted pair cable than you would on the single ended cable thus concluding that you might here something more alone on just that. But then again I heard twisted pair can have more noise. I'm really new here so sorry, not trying to mislead. Thanks for replying about your Audeze experience. Just out of curiosity, what headphones are suited for the Doc?

 

[Doc B]

You don't get more signal from one kind of cable or the other. But if you run a single ended cable on a balanced output ofttimes you have to reconfigure the output in such a way that it only gives you half the level. That is not the case with the Mainline or S.E.X.

At this time I switch between lightly modded HD800s and K1000s.

 

[rsumi]

Is that because the mainline is also a single ended amp?

 

[Paul Birkeland]

Is that because the mainline is also a single ended amp?

The Mainline circuit topology is single ended, but it has both balanced and unbalanced outputs.

 

[DDDamian]

You don't get more signal from one kind of cable or the other. But if you run a single ended cable on a balanced output ofttimes you have to reconfigure the output in such a way that it only gives you half the level. That is not the case with the Mainline or S.E.X.

At this time I switch between lightly modded HD800s and K1000s.

Just curious - is that the Anaxilus mod with the foam ring?

@glitches - I have paired both the HD-800 and Audeze LCD2.2(pre-fazor) with a S.E.X 2.0 with C4S upgrade along with upgraded output transformers to bring it closer to 2.1 standards. With it are some Mundorf Supreme capacitors in the signal path.

I also have a BH Crack + Speedball with some very nice tubes and a few miscellaneous upgrades.

IMO the HD-800 works very well with both amps, and my Audeze's work very well with the S.E.X amp. If I had an overall preference it's for the S.E.X amp in part for its more refined sound and in part for its ability to drive almost anything. The Crack is incredible for its price and endless mod/rolling options, but the S.E.X would be my current desert-island amp, and I think that's the jist of this thread.

If you're torn on which BH amp to go with (and I'm assuming this thread caught your eye because of that) my 2c would be to not worry so much about the cabling at this point. You have LCD-3's inbound, a TOTL set of cans for sure. I can tell you the S.E.X will drive them very very well. There is power a-plenty for planars. Add in the cost of the C4S upgrade and some cap upgrades (if you go that route) and you may find the Mainline is the way to go. There's a lot of truth in what many Head-Fi'ers have found: get the best and you save a lot of experiment-money along the way. For others that's a well-spent part of the journey, and certainly something many Bottleheader's have been through with no regrets at all - just the enjoyment of DIY and upgrading your way to your own personal goals.

Wish I could tell you if the Mainline is a better choice for those LCD-3's, but I haven't heard it yet. I can only say the S.E.X is a great pairing with 2.2's and any other can I've thrown at them. Don't get caught up in the cabling thing.

 

[Doc B]

Yes, the Anax mod.

 

[DDDamian]

Yes, the Anax mod.

Cheers - haven't gone that route yet but I will. The straight-up HD-800 hit my treble-sensitive ears like a wall of yikes at first glance. EQ'd them at first, paired them with an overly-warm Gustard H-10 next, and gradually weaned myself off both. Back to the Crack and S.E.X with them un-EQ'd and rarely cringe lol. But....as much as I love their detail and other plusses they were hot off the shelf. I come from the dark side (LCD's, 650's etc) and I credit brain burn-in, nothing else.

Now well-adjusted (?!) I love them with my Crack or SEX, and the Mainline crowd is swearing by them. The Anax mod is coming, and the Mainline

 

[JamieMcC]

I love them with my Crack or SEX, and the Mainline crowd is swearing by them. The Anax mod is coming, and the Mainline

There is a nice progression through the three amps each offering a different listening experience.
The Mainline HD800 is a superb combo I have never found the need to mod them myself but may try the Anax mod at some point even if its purely out of curiosity.

 

[DDDamian]

There is a nice progression through the three amps each offering a different listening experience.
The Mainline HD800 is a superb combo I have never found the need to mod them myself but may try the Anax mod at some point even if its purely out of curiosity.

Doing the Anax 2.0 today with a little foam and some kinda beaded open stuff used for lining toolbox drawers - similar to the pics here: http://www.changstar.com/index.php/topic,497.msg9987.html#msg9987

If it alters them too much I'll scale it back to the original mod with just the foam ring / trapezoid.

In the meantime, the S.E.X. is killer with the pre-fazor LCD2.2's - just a great experience.

 

[Karl5150]

I just had to bump this thread.
I'm in my office where the SEX is now playing signal from my old SIRIUS car tuner through some NHT SuperZeros. I turned around to see who was walking in, whistling along with the blues tune playing, just to find out it was the recording.
If it isn't the best kit of all it must be pretty d^*n close!
Thanks again Doc and crew,
Karl

 

[Chris]

and it does it with  ONLY 2 inexpensive tubes... Cant get too much better of a design...

 

[PassionForSound]

Doing the Anax 2.0 today with a little foam and some kinda beaded open stuff used for lining toolbox drawers - similar to the pics here: http://www.changstar.com/index.php/topic,497.msg9987.html#msg9987

If it alters them too much I'll scale it back to the original mod with just the foam ring / trapezoid.

In the meantime, the S.E.X. is killer with the pre-fazor LCD2.2's - just a great experience.

I used my S.E.X. to drive LCD-2.2 pre Fazors while I had them and it rocks. The Mainline still offers some compelling arguments as an "upgrade", but the S.E.X. is brilliant. Now I just need to get the hum out of mine to see if I prefer the Mainline or the S.E.X. with my Nighthawks

 

[DDDamian]

I used my S.E.X. to drive LCD-2.2 pre Fazors while I had them and it rocks. The Mainline still offers some compelling arguments as an "upgrade", but the S.E.X. is brilliant. Now I just need to get the hum out of mine to see if I prefer the Mainline or the S.E.X. with my Nighthawks

Hi Loquah - been out of the loop for a bit - had a house fire back in September - just back to normal now.

The S.E.X has done brilliantly with everything I've thrown at it, and the LCD-2.2c is my main pairing with it.

Finally, at last, as promised to myself as my winter project, I just this evening completed a Mainline and am getting some initial early impressions with the HD-800's. Stock build except for some Mundorf Supremes in the 10uF coupling role. Waaay early but initial impressions are already very good and things are only 8hrs or so in. I am now the proud owner of a Crack + SB, S.E.X + C4S and a Mainline, many thanks to your reviews and to the braniacs (you know who you are!) behind the BH line.

Hope you track down that hum!

 

[JamieMcC]

Mainline + HD800 is a superb combo congrats

Nice Sex moment report, I found our old sony TV had a optical out on the back the other day and as the new dac has three optical inputs which is proving handy thought I would hook it up. After listening to Eva Cassidy for many years I was looking forward to watching the dvd Night Bird (live Blues Alley performance recording) so a great chance to try out the Sex and the Fostex's all hooked up to the TV for the first time.  Well all worked just great but the best  bit of all was watching my three month old daughter in the mirror as her eyes slowly closed and she drifted off to sleep on my shoulder as Eva sung Over The Rainbow 

 

[DDDamian]

Mainline + HD800 is a superb combo congrats

Nice Sex moment report, I found our old sony TV had a optical out on the back the other day and as the new dac has three optical inputs which is proving handy thought I would hook it up. After listening to Eva Cassidy for many years I was looking forward to watching the dvd Night Bird (live Blues Alley performance recording) so a great chance to try out the Sex and the Fostex's all hooked up to the TV for the first time.  Well all worked just great but the best  bit of all was watching my three month old daughter in the mirror as her eyes slowly closed and she drifted off to sleep on my shoulder as Eva sung Over The Rainbow 

Awwww that's an awesome moment Jamie and a great audiophile recording for sure - I have a nice vinyl rip of it.

The Mainline now has 30hrs or so of cooking, and my somewhat-neglected 650's are smiling. Definitely more detailed and nuanced than the S.E.X. Not quite enough power for the LCD 2.2's on lower-level tracks without a bit of pre-amp, but the higher impedance Senns (650/800) are both loving it. I'm sure it would have no issues with the more efficient LCD models.

All three of these BH amps are just amazing bang-for-the-buck. I'd give the nod to the S.E.X for it's ability to pair well with almost anything, the Crack for it's endless rollability, and the Mainline for technical excellence and euphonics. Can't wait to get some more time in on the Mainline, but so far it's just what I want: punchy, detailed, musical and revealing.

 

[murray]

Stay tuned for news in a few months ... research continues!

I'm slowly saving my pennies up for one of these. Any updates on the research?

 

[Paul Joppa]

Wow - I had forgotten that post :^)

Last summer we were thinking of a 20th anniversary commemorative edition of the original SEX amp (monoblocks with parallel output tubes). I was hoping to incorporate most of what we've learned over the last couple decades. That plan kind of fizzled out - couldn't see that many customers for something that would cost more than the Stereomour and still not sound quite as good.

We might have to do a minor update of the SEX in the future just to allow for some components that are are getting hard to find, but the circuit itself is unlikely to change much.

 

[murray]

Wow - I had forgotten that post :^)

Last summer we were thinking of a 20th anniversary commemorative edition of the original SEX amp (monoblocks with parallel output tubes). I was hoping to incorporate most of what we've learned over the last couple decades. That plan kind of fizzled out - couldn't see that many customers for something that would cost more than the Stereomour and still not sound quite as good.

We might have to do a minor update of the SEX in the future just to allow for some components that are are getting hard to find, but the circuit itself is unlikely to change much.

Thanks Paul. I planned to start with the S.E.X as my first trial of tubes and use that to decide where to "move up" from there. I agree that there's no sense in making it dearer than the higher models.

 

[Paul Joppa]

Thanks Paul. I planned to start with the S.E.X as my first trial of tubes and use that to decide where to "move up" from there. I agree that there's no sense in making it dearer than the higher models.

Perfect! That has been exactly the rationale for the Single-Ended eXperimenter's (SEX) amp in the first place.

 

[Mordicai]

Just finished the build of the 2.1. My third build (Crack and Stereomour). What a thrill it is to turn it on and ..." Oh my god it works ". Never thought it would sound this good with 5 minutes of burn in. No hum, thank god. It's so clear!!  Building this stuff is such fun, and at the end of it you get to listen music like you've never heard it before. Time to order some Ether C's. Great amp...thank you BH!