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Tube Amp Battle: Bottlehead Crack vs Schiit Valhalla 2
Рет қаралды 12,436
Күн бұрынTubes! They really can be a lot of fun with the right headphones. IMO, it’s certainly worth getting a decent tube amp in your set up to experiment with from time to time (if not use it as a daily driver).
For this video, I’m comparing a Bottlehead Crack with Speedball and the Schiit Valhalla 2. They are both decent amps, but the Crack just has such life to it-honestly, I love it. Really adds a new dimension to the dynamic headphones that I’ve been putting on it.
I’m no tube amp expert. For more technical information, I’d recommend check out the sites for both these amps and searching the forums for tube rolling advice.
Here’s links to stuff mentioned in the video:
Bottlehead Crack: bottlehead.com...
Valhalla 2: www.schiit.com...
Check out this playlist for more Amp & DAC reviews:
• Amps & DACs
Check this playlist for more open-back headphone reviews: • Open Back Headphones
Check out this playlist for more closed-back headphone reviews:
• Closed Back Headphones
Look down below for links to all that gear and some other recommendations.
Of course, I always recommend you take a look at the used market, below are some sites that are great for that.
Head-Fi: www.head-fi.org/
HifiGuides: forum.hifiguid...
Reddit: / avexchange
Hifi-shark: www.hifishark....
US AudioMart: www.usaudiomar...
Some of my favorite equipment for various niches (some links are affiliate):
Super Budget Headphone: Koss kph40: koss.com/produ...
Need these pads for the kph40 though: www.aliexpress...
Cheap Gaming Headphone: AD700X: amzn.to/3b4ACUS
Cheap All-Around Headphone: SHP9600: amzn.to/3b6aUiP
Entry Level DAC: Modi 3+: www.schiit.com...
Entry Level Amp: IEMagni: www.schiit.com...
Entry Balanced DAC: SMSL SU8: (look used)
Or Modius: www.schiit.com...
My Main DAC: Bifrost 2: www.schiit.com...
My Main Amp: Singxer SA-1: amzn.to/3BgXJ97
Tube Amp: Bottlehead Crack: bottlehead.com...
Headphone #1: HE6SEv2: adorama.rfvk.net/4eydoo
Headphone #2: Focal Elex w/ Dekoni Fenestrated Sheepskin: drop.com/buy/m...
Headphone #3: OG NIghthawks: (look used)
TOTL: Focal Utopia: (look used)
Gaming Headphone: HE560v4: adorama.rfvk.net/6bnGoG
Bluetooth Portable DAC/Amp: XCan: amzn.to/3vJG8WA
Wired Portable DAC/Amp: Mojo: amzn.to/3CbYWQs
TWS: Sony XM4: amzn.to/3Glr7Py
Cables:
Hart Audio Cables: hartaudiocable...
Worlds Best RCA Interconnects: amzn.to/3pB2Oa7
Worlds Best XLR Interconnects: amzn.to/3vEdwxO
Recording Gear:
Canon M50: amzn.to/3ba7KKJ
Sigma 16mm 1.4: amzn.to/3vF6SaB
Maono USB Mic: amzn.to/3CecbQO
Canon M100 (overhead): amzn.to/31lZAxT
Canon 22mm 2.0 (overhead): amzn.to/3dowiAO
#bottleheadcrack #schiit #tubeamp
@Ford363Stroker Жыл бұрын
FYI, the Crack manual says to make sure you use the feet on the wood frame so that air can go undertake chassis for proper cooling.
@elminero49 Ай бұрын
I own both Bottlehead Crack and Schiit Valhalla 2. I think they both sound the same to me. The Bottlehead Crack is more fun because you get to build it yourself. Schiit Valhalla 2 cost less than Bottlehead Crack with Speedball. For sound quality both are equal enough that you will not be able to hear the difference. I use Sennheiser HD 650.
@thelastrhino2581 2 жыл бұрын
Nice work. 14:15 - exactly this!
@esacrewol 2 жыл бұрын
been wanting a bottlehead crack for years. now i have a decent job and plan to buy one soon, with the speedball, to go along with my hd600s
@asplmn Жыл бұрын
Love my BH Crackatwoa. After climbing the gear tier list, so to speak, I can't say I really feel like I'm missing out on anything with the C2A, and it's just so engaging. The BH Mainline is a different beast altogether from either of the Cracks. It's less romantic and more "technical" and "analytical," but still musical. That being said, I prefer my tubes to be more romantic, and my SS to be more honest. Nice review!
@MrAyrit Жыл бұрын
Why do you never kick your Bottlehead amp? Because you might Crackatowa!
@astroporpoise7802 Жыл бұрын
Listening to you with my Bottlehead Crack haha, and I agree...the life the Crack gives to the music is really impressive. The 6AS7G and 6SN7 combo gives such a large, natural, thrilling, and rejuvenating sound. Octal tubes FTW.
@astroporpoise7802 Жыл бұрын
Also, my brother has the Senn HD 6XX, and like you I wasn't so sold on it with the Crack. Now, it was definitely smooth and easy to listen to....but sounded too flat and tame compared to my AKG K240 Sextetts. People rave about the pure midrange of the Senns, but I can't get over the dull treble and closed-in sound--my AKG also has a pure and present midrange but has high-reaching treble and a wide soundscape to go with it. Just my opinion of course. Hope you're still enjoying your Crack! :)
@Allied10 2 жыл бұрын
Hey there. I'm in the middle of assembling my Bottlehead and came across your video. When you flipped the wooden frame, I noticed yours doesn't have any feet. The manual says the feet are required for proper ventilation. Just a heads up.
@MrAyrit 2 жыл бұрын
Good to know. I’ll look into that a bit more. What do the feet look like? Are they just little rubber nubs?
@Allied10 2 жыл бұрын
@@MrAyrit Yep. Four pretty generic self adhesive rubber nubs. The stock ones look like ziggurats and are 1/4" thick.
@MrAyrit 2 жыл бұрын
@@Allied10 thanks, I’ve got something like that lying around.
@Allied10 2 жыл бұрын
@@MrAyrit cool. Didn't want your nice amp dying prematurely. Enjoy!
@brendanliddell240 2 жыл бұрын
It would be interesting for you to try and compare the Bottlehead Crack with the Schiit Lyr 3. Hybrid single tube amp with power to boot.
@MrAyrit 2 жыл бұрын
I’ll keep an eye out. Don’t see many for sale.
@brendanliddell240 2 жыл бұрын
@@MrAyrit Might just be an indication of how good they are :) I'm awaiting the much anticipated Schiit Folkvangr... 10 tube amp that's been in the works. I believe it was scheduled for release last year, however in this current climate, understandable to hit speed bumps. Hopefully soon though, that thing sounds like a beast!
@JTB-- 2 жыл бұрын
I have a Bottlehead Crack on the way and already have the LYR 3 so I'll be able to compare. Remember the Bottlehead Crack is OTL and LYR 3 is a Hybrid
@PaulStAmour-ws9ch Жыл бұрын
@@JTB-- Did you prefer BH Crack or LYR 3?
@JTB-- Жыл бұрын
@@PaulStAmour-ws9ch I sold the BC. It could get a little harsh in the treble. Still have the LYR3(OG version)
@AliArghavan 2 жыл бұрын
Thanks for the interesting comparison. Between all these tune amps (Little Dot, Valhalla, Crack, Darkvoice, Xduoo) which one do you recommend for Aeolus?
@MrAyrit 2 жыл бұрын
The Aeolus actually sounds pretty good on just about anything, I’d take the Crack though. I’d be super interested to know what the higher level Bottlehead stuff sounds like.
@carbon_wavelight 2 жыл бұрын
Look into Eufonika amps. They've been said to be the step up from bottlehead, and the H7 ($350) was reviewed head to head with a Phonitor XE on headfi.
@albeklik8055 2 ай бұрын
Hearing examination is required for you😊
@Nihil1st1347 Ай бұрын
Where you find such half finished projects?
@mtnmankeith9069 Жыл бұрын
What are your thoughts on the dt990 600ohm? I think you had them around the time of this review. Did you find an amp that worked amazing with them?
@MrAyrit Жыл бұрын
I did not, but I haven’t tried them in awhile. Eventually here, I’m planning on doing a big Beyer thing with the old models versus the new. Just haven’t had the time yet.
@daviewavie112 7 ай бұрын
I have a set of dt990 600ohm. Compared to my hd6xx/hd600 the dt990 has more of a V shaped sound signature. More bass/treble, recessed mids. A little more analytical than the sennheisers. It’s a nice change from the sennheisers. It took a long time to break in, the top end was a little harsh at first. I almost sold them. But the more i listened to them the more it softened up. Decided to keep them. I use it with a lafigaro 339
@robstivers1994 Жыл бұрын
What headphones are you using with the Crack? That amplifier's design has been optimized for high impedance dynamic driver headphones like Sennheiser's HD6XX family or Audio Technica's ATH-R70X for example. Anything with impedence lower than about 150 ohms won't perform as well on the Crack.
@robstivers1994 Жыл бұрын
Then again, if it sounds good to you, then it sounds good.
@MrAyrit Жыл бұрын
I remember trying Focal stuff and Beyer stuff, probably some Sennheisers too.
@leninreddy 2 жыл бұрын
Hi @MrAyrit : How does Bottlehead Crack handles planar headphones ? I have planar headphones and want to know how crack handles planars ?
@MrAyrit 2 жыл бұрын
Sorry for the late reply. Not well is the answer. I’ve got a Hagerman Tuba on hand for review and it plays much nicer with the planars thanks to the low impedance mode.
@frankgeeraerts6243 10 ай бұрын
BASS............................NO it's not the amp .................but the impedance of the headphones versus the internal impedance of the 6AS7/6080 tube ....!
@thatchinaboi1 2 жыл бұрын
How does both tube amps compare with the Little Dot Mk2 using the Sennheiser HD 560s?
@MrAyrit 2 жыл бұрын
Sorry, I couldn’t comment on that. I didn’t have the 560s on hand.
@mattfisher401 Жыл бұрын
Can you run a TT directly into these?
@luckyjinxer Жыл бұрын
Oh yeah, get your finger oils ALL over those tubes.
@mattfisher401 Жыл бұрын
That will have no impact on performance or longevity. It's not a halogen light bulb, it's a vacuum tube.
@silverback3633 11 ай бұрын
Just blabber.
@frankgeeraerts6243 10 ай бұрын
Audio phile beliefs are funny ..............Why tubes ? Because they bring ........... While reality and facts are inversed................Solid state looses some ....qualities !
@elminero49 Ай бұрын
"Tubes are cool" Actually, tubes are hot.
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