Bottlehead crack vs xDuoo TA-26S

[antanast]

Hi guys. Looking to enter the tube world for my HD 800s. I am between the Bottlehead Crack with speedball with and xDuoo TA-26S. I already ordered the xDuoo but can cancel it before it ships out.

As always thanks for the advice!

 

[_thelaughingman]

I've heard good things about bottlehead crack as far as their quality and build goes and if i'm not mistaken they're built in the US. Never dabbled in tube's so can't tell you how it sounds.

 

[antanast]

Edit: I didn’t realize you have to build the bottlehead! No time for that at least no if the sound quality between the two would be very similar

 

[Count Arthur]

Amir did measure one: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...d-crack-headphone-amplifier-kit-review.15714/

Compared to many inexpensive solid state amps, it's measured performance is pitiful, but I guess that's missing the point.

I've never had any valve gear and would enjoy building one, but I'm not sure I currently have any headphones that would be a particularly good match.

Another one I came across, that I thought looked interesting:

Project Ember High Powered Tube Hybrid Headphone Amplifier and Pre Amp

 

[womanofscience666]

Compared to many inexpensive solid state amps, it's measured performance is pitiful, but I guess that's missing the point.

measuring a tube amp (or any piece of audio equipment for that matter) just tells you what you're measuring and doesn't tell the whole story about the sound unless it's horrifically broken and getting like 3dB SINAD. They're worthwhile measurements don't get me wrong but judging a piece of gear off them is pretty pointless especially if you're comparing the distortion of SS and tubes cause distortion is the reason people get tubes

 

[DenverW]

The Crack is a very fun and not difficult build. You can find used ones that have already been built on the market, but if you have about 4-6 hours over a weekend or two you learn a TON by building it.

Of the two amps I much preferred the crack, although it only pairs well with high impedance headphones such as the sennheiser HD6-- line or others above 250 impedance. Measures poorly, sounds amazing, so I'd recommend listening to see if it meets your preferences.

 

[johny_2000]

Of the two amps I much preferred the crack, although it only pairs well with high impedance headphones

They both do this because of OTL design.

 

[Gruesome]

Another Xduoo headphone amp, the TA-10, measured surprisingly well (with the tube-induced caveat of 0.1% to 1% distortion as you go from 1mW to 1W output power) , and contains a DAC in addition to the hybrid tube amp. Maybe something to consider.