Something new is coming

Doc B

Former President For Life
Staff member
The past couple of days I have been secretly working on a new project with PB. In a meeting with the Queen and PB last Sunday, PB proposed a new design that is simple and cost effective. Honestly my prejudices about the design concept were such that I didn't have very high hopes for the sonics. PB cooked up the prototype that afternoon, and after my first listen I was seriously hooked on it.  It worked far better than I expected and during dinner Sunday night we were at what is often the most fun part of the development, thinking up a name. The prototype got me hooked on its sound so fast that I thought Crack was appropriate.

Yup, you're right, I haven't said what it the heck is. You will have to wait until early next week when we have the production prototype finished and ready to show you. I can tell you that the introductory price will be $199 and you won't even have to go to a bad neighborhood to buy it. We'll have an order button up next week, with a plan to ship the first kits as soon as the chassis panels are delivered. That usually takes about three weeks.
 
We should also mention that using our Crack will not ruin your marriage, drain your bank account, or make your teeth/hair fall out... 
 
Aren't ALL of BH's products already like crack? I mean, I can't live without them, and my money seems to go towards more and more BH gear/mods to keep me getting my "fix."
 
Gee, what can I say. Seeing the name on this new forum just about snapped my neck as I wheeled around in my desk chair.
"What have those guys been up to?"
Well, never let it be said that the folks at Bottlehead central can't create a mystery.

Looking forward to having my fancy tickled.
 
Nobody else seems to be guessing so I will give it a shot.

First thought was simple, high effiency speakers (ala "Zigmahornet" perhaps??)....but the fact you don't say "pair" and metion chassis pannels argues against that.

Second thought was a Class-T or other simple chip amp as a mate to the Quickie - a chip based amp seem out of BH character however.

A simple NOS DAC with simple Quickie-ish tube buffer? Battery powered? Maybe?

A battery powered tube Phono-pre to mate with Quickie? Maybe?

I am liking the last two, but what the heck do I know?

   
 
You didn't guess it, but those are some really neat ideas. We have discussed a battery phono preamp, and I think we'll give a prototype a shot. I've also had an idea for a very, very basic DAC that could fit into that battery powered concept too.

No chip amps at this time. Not necessarily opposed to them, it's just that there are a zillion of them on the market.
 
My guesses: a) a passive preamp of some sort, a la "Sweetest Whispers" in a box, b) a battery-powered integrated, like a Quickie with another power stage, c) a tube buffer using a single 6922, or d) some sort of guitar amp or effect pedal.
 
A.) A small, single tube, battery powered iPod dock to drive those low-z headphones.

B.) Asingle tube, battery powered white noise generator for we chronic insomniacs.  in the group. :-)

-- Jim

 
well, nobody guessed it. But I do think this kit is going to be a winner. Crack is an OTL headphone amplifier - very simple and inexpensive - that will have optional upgrades as soon as we get the basic kits together and shipping. It's really, really good with high impedance headphones and only $199. American made power trans designed by PJ, American old stock tubes, American made chassis.

442_image.jpg


http://www.bottlehead.com/store.php?crn=44&rn=442&action=show_detail
 
Sign me up!

Sounds really cool and the price is right.  Any details of which tube (s)?  Hoping it will be something I have lots of :D.

-- Jim
 
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