Speedball Upgrade

[lextek]

I love my Crack with HD600s.  I've tried a Mullard 12Au7 up front and sounds sweet.  What can I expect from the Speedball upgrade?  It sounds so good I almost don't want to mess with it.  But hey it's Crack!  Anybody run in to issues installing the upgrade?


yeah I'm hooked.  Already looking at the Stereomour.

 

[Noskipallwd]

Hey Lextek,
Did alot of upgrades to my Crack, using a Mullard CV4003, TS5998, Mundorf coupling caps, Choke in the PS, Goldpoint stepped att.. The most effective upgrade though was the speedball. The only issue with the speedball install was not reading the instructions close enough and switching a couple of transistors, after that it worked first time. Highly recommend the speedball.

Cheers,
Shawn P.

 

[BNAL]

I have upgraded some of the parts in my Crack as well. Added a film bypass cap and choke. Also, changed the 12au7 to a mullard 4003. From what your saying I can't wait to add the speedball. First I'm going to try a different tube in the 6080 and 100uf caps.

 

[lextek]

Hey Lextek,
Did alot of upgrades to my Crack, using a Mullard CV4003, TS5998, Mundorf coupling caps, Choke in the PS, Goldpoint stepped att.. The most effective upgrade though was the speedball. The only issue with the speedball install was not reading the instructions close enough and switching a couple of transistors, after that it worked first time. Highly recommend the speedball.

Cheers,
Shawn P.

Shawn you say the Speed ball was the "most effective upgrade".  How would you describe the changes?  Justnwondering, trying to justify anmupgrade thatnis about half the price of the amp......

 

[Noskipallwd]

The most noticeable improvement was in the overall clarity and speed of the amp, especially the bass and mids I use HD650s which are a little bass heavy, the speedball did not reduce the bass but increased the resolution which was more pleasing and less fatiguing to me. Also the speedball seemed to lower the already low noise floor. I would have to say a close second on the upgrade path is changing the output coupling caps. I used Mundorfs, but folks have had good results with the less expensive Solens or the 91uf Axon true caps. The Tryad choke was a good choice as well it cost about 15usd, it was a pain to fit though. I am not sure exactly what I've spent on the Crack, but I guess between 5 and 6 hundred. I have had folks question spending this much on a 200 dollar amp, well it is no longer a 200 dollar amp is it. I have 2 friends, one has a Woo audio 2 and the other has a Woo 6 . Both amps cost well over 1000usd in their configuration, and the Crack performs as well or better than both, IMHO. That is the beauty of DIY you can customize to your hearts desire, whereas upgrading a commercial offering usually involves buying a new amp. Sorry for the long post, hope this helps though.

Cheers,
Shawn P.

 

[ELBEBE1000]

Shawn,

what can you say about TS-5998 and Mullard? what different you heard? Is a good idea starting with TS-5998 and the Mullard before speedball? I have a Senh hd800 and my amp sound fantastic. I don't want messing up to much? Is there a really improved in sound quality?
Thanks,
Yashin

 

[Noskipallwd]

Yashin, I've had the 5998 in the amp from the start, my 6080 was broken but I had three 5998s and was planning on running them anyway. I am a fan of the 5998 (the st version not the 5998a), every amp I've used them in sounded great. You get an increase in gain over the 6080, and I have noticed an increase in soundstage  depth, control and punch. The base is tight with the Tung sols, not flabby at all. The Mullard Cv4003 is an excellent tube, it also has superb imaging. But to tell you the truth, after many listening tests I believe I prefer the CBS Hytron 5814a BP in the Crack. Ironbut recommended it on the first page of the tube rolling with Crack thread. I can't actually define what is better, it just sounds better to me. Plus as an added bonus, the CBS glows alot, unlike most 12AU7 variants, and I do like the glory of the glow!

Cheers,
Shawn

 

[ELBEBE1000]

Thank you, Shawn.
You are so lucky to have more than one 5998 I have couple of weeks trying to buy one but I haven't. Do you know someone who sell any one? Please, let me know I will pay a razonable price for it. I am trying to enjoy at much as I can my Senh HD800 I pay to much for them... I won't be sheap with my amp.
Thanks again from Bridgeport Ct.


Yashin

 

[Laudanum]

Slim pickens it seems lately on the 5998's.  Seller on ebay had/has 2 of them for $299 bucks each ... crazy, NOS or not.  You just gotta keep your eyes open. 

 

[Noskipallwd]

I purchased mine from a seller on ebay called supraseller, every so often he seems to have a couple for sale. I paid $50 a piece for nos, $290 is just crazy.

Cheers,
Shawn

 

[Beefy]

I purchased mine from a seller on ebay called supraseller, every so often he seems to have a couple for sale. I paid $50 a piece for nos, $290 is just crazy.

I am happy to be corrected on this...... but isn't 'supraseller' on eBay also Mikhail of Singlepower infamy? I would not be touching tubes from him with a ten foot pole.

 

[lextek]

I purchased mine from a seller on ebay called supraseller, every so often he seems to have a couple for sale. I paid $50 a piece for nos, $290 is just crazy.

I am happy to be corrected on this...... but isn't 'supraseller' on eBay also Mikhail of Singlepower infamy? I would not be touching tubes from him with a ten foot pole.

Ten, twenty or thirty foot pole.  I had some "dealings" with him on Head- Fi and his dangerous amps.  Beware!

 

[lextek]

Just ordered my Speedball kit.

 

[Noskipallwd]

Wow, I had no idea that supraseller was Mikhail, I guess the Russian newspaper used to pack my tubes should have been a clue. Although I have had no problems with the tubes I purchased from him, I will no longer do business with him. Alot of good people got #!?%$@ over for their hard earned money. It was such a shame cause their amps actually sounded pretty damned good, as long as they didn't set your house on fire!

Cheers,
Shawn

 

[lextek]

Wow, I had no idea that supraseller was Mikhail, I guess the Russian newspaper used to pack my tubes should have been a clue. Although I have had no problems with the tubes I purchased from him, I will no longer do business with him. Alot of good people got #!?%$@ over for their hard earned money. It was such a shame cause their amps actually sounded pretty damned good, as long as they didn't set your house on fire!

Cheers,
Shawn

Yes the amps sounded great.  When they failed they failed big time.  I loced my amp, but nevered trusted it when it was plugged in......