Bottlehead vs Schiit Magni 3 ?

[Guy 13]

Hi all.
I have a Bottlehead Crack (With 6SN7 RCA + 12AU7 RCA clear top) and many other brands and models (Bendix 6080-Thomas 12AU7...) Just to name a few. I use the Bottlehead exclusively with my Sennheiser HD650 (300 Ohms) I've also purchased recently a Schiit Magni 3 that I use with the HD-650 and another Sennheiser HD-570 (60 Ohms) that I bought 15 years ago.
Of course the HD-650 sound better, much better ? Yes, but for me, not really that much better, only better.
Of course the HD-570 with 60 Ohms doesn't sound good (Shy bass) with the Bottlehead that was designed  for hi-impedance headphones.
The magni 3 works well with both headphones.
I do prefer the sound of the Crack Bottlehead because it's smoother, and the sound is bigger.
Sorry about my limited audio vocabulary.
When back in Canada I will sell the Bottlehead with the HD-650
and keep the Magni 3 with the HD-570.
With the money from the sales of the Bottlehead combo,
I will buy a pair of Sennheiser HD-598 (? ? ? not sure of the model)
but they are closed back, usefull when I want to listen to music especialy when my wife sing the Karaoke
(Here in Vietnam with our house built with reinforced 12'' concrete (No kidding) my listning room
and office are sound proof.
But it won't be the case in Canada...

Guy 13

[malloy]

Hey Guy,

It looks like you are downsizing big time.

We have similar headphone gear. I have a Crack with a 650 as well. Never heard the Magni, but I have an Asgard 2.  I started down the rabbit hole of upgrading the Crack with different tubes, Speedball, volume pot, etc. but I could never listen for more than an hour or so - too used to speakers, you see. When I tallied all the cash I dumped into building the kit plus tools and various cheapo amps, I realized I could have built up my 2 channel rig again!

I've always wanted to try the Thomas 6080. This is the French military tube, correct?

Paul

[Guy 13]

Hi Paul.
I would have liked to write up a list of all the tubes I have for my Bottlehead Crack,
but everything is packed up and ready to go around the globe to it's final destination,
which is my home country Canada.
I've been in Vietnam for the past 25 years.
Maybe you knew that already if you were on Audio Circle.
If I remember right, I have three or four RCA 6SN7, one Bendix 6080
and onther brand of 6080.
I have also about five 12AU7 of different brands, like 12AU7 a tube from a Thomas Organ,
a RCA 12AU6 clear top
and other various brand.
An accantance of mine from Audio Circle did the assembly,
the electro plating of the top plate and the staining of the wood base,
look really good compare to the unfinish unit from Bottlehead.
There are some up grades like volume control, capacitors, but not the speed ball.
If I want to sell it, it's not because I don't like the sound,
it's because I have way too much audio stuff.
I will be moving from a one bedroom appartment so my three huge Open Baffle speakers
will have to go, unfortunatey.
I understand what you are saying that by the time you u grade everything,
you could affort to buy a nice system.
I am the same as you,
I am more of a speaker guy.
I don't like to be attached with a cord like a dog.
Speakers also have a 3D sound, no body will make me beleive that headphones have 3D sound
and I've tried at least half dozen different makes of headphones.
40 years ago, I had a pair a Stax headphones, thos didn't have 3D sound, but a real hi definition sound, I love those and like many, I regret selling those.
Well, that's it for now.
I hope Audio Nevrosa will give us one day the possibility of posting pictures of more than only 600 Kb files.
Take care.

Guy 13
on planet Vietnam.
Today 33.3C or 92F.
............................................

[Guy 13]

Hi,
here are a few pictures of my Bottlehead Crack with my Sennheiser HD-650.

[Guy 13]

Bottlehead Crack.

[malloy]

Hi Paul.
I would have liked to write up a list of all the tubes I have for my Bottlehead Crack,
but everything is packed up and ready to go around the globe to it's final destination,
which is my home country Canada.
I've been in Vietnam for the past 25 years.
Maybe you knew that already if you were on Audio Circle.
If I remember right, I have three or four RCA 6SN7, one Bendix 6080
and onther brand of 6080.
I have also about five 12AU7 of different brands, like 12AU7 a tube from a Thomas Organ,
a RCA 12AU6 clear top
and other various brand.
An accantance of mine from Audio Circle did the assembly,
the electro plating of the top plate and the staining of the wood base,
look really good compare to the unfinish unit from Bottlehead.
There are some up grades like volume control, capacitors, but not the speed ball.
If I want to sell it, it's not because I don't like the sound,
it's because I have way too much audio stuff.
I will be moving from a one bedroom appartment so my three huge Open Baffle speakers
will have to go, unfortunatey.
I understand what you are saying that by the time you u grade everything,
you could affort to buy a nice system.
I am the same as you,
I am more of a speaker guy.
I don't like to be attached with a cord like a dog.
Speakers also have a 3D sound, no body will make me beleive that headphones have 3D sound
and I've tried at least half dozen different makes of headphones.
40 years ago, I had a pair a Stax headphones, thos didn't have 3D sound, but a real hi definition sound, I love those and like many, I regret selling those.
Well, that's it for now.
I hope Audio Nevrosa will give us one day the possibility of posting pictures of more than only 600 Kb files.
Take care.

Guy 13
on planet Vietnam.
Today 33.3C or 92F.
............................................

Hi Guy,

I've only been a lurker on AUdioCIrcle, never registered there, but I remember your avatar!

You have a nice Crack. I built mine myself so it is very sloppy and the soldering and layout leaves a lot to be desired.

It also looks like you have or had(?) a Decware and Omega system. Have you sold those?

Interesting thing you say about headphones no having 3D sound. I agree completely. I was at a Head-Fi meet some years ago, some kids (well, millennials ) they were talking about soundstaging and imaging for headphones. It was obvious they have never heard a proper stereo before. There is no soundstage for EDM music anyway!

Paul

[Guy 13]

Hi Paul.
I would have liked to write up a list of all the tubes I have for my Bottlehead Crack,
but everything is packed up and ready to go around the globe to it's final destination,
which is my home country Canada.
I've been in Vietnam for the past 25 years.
Maybe you knew that already if you were on Audio Circle.
If I remember right, I have three or four RCA 6SN7, one Bendix 6080
and onther brand of 6080.
I have also about five 12AU7 of different brands, like 12AU7 a tube from a Thomas Organ,
a RCA 12AU6 clear top
and other various brand.
An accantance of mine from Audio Circle did the assembly,
the electro plating of the top plate and the staining of the wood base,
look really good compare to the unfinish unit from Bottlehead.
There are some up grades like volume control, capacitors, but not the speed ball.
If I want to sell it, it's not because I don't like the sound,
it's because I have way too much audio stuff.
I will be moving from a one bedroom appartment so my three huge Open Baffle speakers
will have to go, unfortunatey.
I understand what you are saying that by the time you u grade everything,
you could affort to buy a nice system.
I am the same as you,
I am more of a speaker guy.
I don't like to be attached with a cord like a dog.
Speakers also have a 3D sound, no body will make me beleive that headphones have 3D sound
and I've tried at least half dozen different makes of headphones.
40 years ago, I had a pair a Stax headphones, thos didn't have 3D sound, but a real hi definition sound, I love those and like many, I regret selling those.
Well, that's it for now.
I hope Audio Nevrosa will give us one day the possibility of posting pictures of more than only 600 Kb files.
Take care.

Guy 13
on planet Vietnam.
Today 33.3C or 92F.
............................................

Hi Guy,

I've only been a lurker on AUdioCIrcle, never registered there, but I remember your avatar!

You have a nice Crack. I built mine myself so it is very sloppy and the soldering and layout leaves a lot to be desired.

It also looks like you have or had(?) a Decware and Omega system. Have you sold those?

Interesting thing you say about headphones no having 3D sound. I agree completely. I was at a Head-Fi meet some years ago, some kids (well, millennials ) they were talking about soundstaging and imaging for headphones. It was obvious they have never heard a proper stereo before. There is no soundstage for EDM music anyway!

Paul

.................................

Hi (Again) Paul.
Thanks for the compliments for the nice looking of my Bottlehead Crack, however,
I cannot take all the credit for it,
an Audio Circle member (Forgot his name) did everything for me.
I bought the kit from Bottlehead and got it shipped to that AC member who did a nice job at soldering,
putting it together, upgrading it and make the unit nice looking in exchange of a MC cartridge
(Forgot brand and model) but it was paid around 400 USD)
We were both happy with the deal.
I have an old Weller 100-140watts soldering gun which is not the best tool for delicate soldering job.
 
I still have my Decware SE-84C+ amplifier with a few spare tubes (Mainly Electro Harmonics)
cannot sell it here on planet Vietnam, because it's 120V. and second it's an unknown brand for the Vietnames.
I will sell it in Canada unless I get hit by nostalgia, then I will keep it.

For Omega, I only bought the drivers from Louis (7F) and one of them for still unknown reason to me is dead,
coil open...
Too bad, I really like those drivers, better than the Audio Nirvana (Common Sense Audio) Standard 8F.
Those Audio Nirvana were the first foot I set into extended crossoverless driver.
Onced in Canada, I might try to buy one from Louis, if he wants to sell me only one
and use it somewhere in one of the unsold system.

I still have all my audio stuff, but it's all crated pack ready to go,
exception of my ambiant music system when I work on my computer, like right now.

I will include here with a few (Very low resolution) pictures.

Well that's it.
Have a nice weekend and feel free to write as often as you like.

I must say and that's not in a negative way,
there is less action here on Audio Nervosa compare to Audio Circle,
but I find here only civilised people posting civilised comments.

Guy 13

[Nick B]

Hi Paul.
I would have liked to write up a list of all the tubes I have for my Bottlehead Crack,
but everything is packed up and ready to go around the globe to it's final destination,
which is my home country Canada.
I've been in Vietnam for the past 25 years.
Maybe you knew that already if you were on Audio Circle.
If I remember right, I have three or four RCA 6SN7, one Bendix 6080
and onther brand of 6080.
I have also about five 12AU7 of different brands, like 12AU7 a tube from a Thomas Organ,
a RCA 12AU6 clear top
and other various brand.
An accantance of mine from Audio Circle did the assembly,
the electro plating of the top plate and the staining of the wood base,
look really good compare to the unfinish unit from Bottlehead.
There are some up grades like volume control, capacitors, but not the speed ball.
If I want to sell it, it's not because I don't like the sound,
it's because I have way too much audio stuff.
I will be moving from a one bedroom appartment so my three huge Open Baffle speakers
will have to go, unfortunatey.
I understand what you are saying that by the time you u grade everything,
you could affort to buy a nice system.
I am the same as you,
I am more of a speaker guy.
I don't like to be attached with a cord like a dog.
Speakers also have a 3D sound, no body will make me beleive that headphones have 3D sound
and I've tried at least half dozen different makes of headphones.
40 years ago, I had a pair a Stax headphones, thos didn't have 3D sound, but a real hi definition sound, I love those and like many, I regret selling those.
Well, that's it for now.
I hope Audio Nevrosa will give us one day the possibility of posting pictures of more than only 600 Kb files.
Take care.

Guy 13
on planet Vietnam.
Today 33.3C or 92F.
............................................

Hi Guy,

I've only been a lurker on AUdioCIrcle, never registered there, but I remember your avatar!

You have a nice Crack. I built mine myself so it is very sloppy and the soldering and layout leaves a lot to be desired.

It also looks like you have or had(?) a Decware and Omega system. Have you sold those?

Interesting thing you say about headphones no having 3D sound. I agree completely. I was at a Head-Fi meet some years ago, some kids (well, millennials ) they were talking about soundstaging and imaging for headphones. It was obvious they have never heard a proper stereo before. There is no soundstage for EDM music anyway!

Paul

.................................

Hi (Again) Paul.
Thanks for the compliments for the nice looking of my Bottlehead Crack, however,
I cannot take all the credit for it,
an Audio Circle member (Forgot his name) did everything for me.
I bought the kit from Bottlehead and got it shipped to that AC member who did a nice job at soldering,
putting it together, upgrading it and make the unit nice looking in exchange of a MC cartridge
(Forgot brand and model) but it was paid around 400 USD)
We were both happy with the deal.
I have an old Weller 100-140watts soldering gun which is not the best tool for delicate soldering job.
 
I still have my Decware SE-84C+ amplifier with a few spare tubes (Mainly Electro Harmonics)
cannot sell it here on planet Vietnam, because it's 120V. and second it's an unknown brand for the Vietnames.
I will sell it in Canada unless I get hit by nostalgia, then I will keep it.

For Omega, I only bought the drivers from Louis (7F) and one of them for still unknown reason to me is dead,
coil open...
Too bad, I really like those drivers, better than the Audio Nirvana (Common Sense Audio) Standard 8F.
Those Audio Nirvana were the first foot I set into extended crossoverless driver.
Onced in Canada, I might try to buy one from Louis, if he wants to sell me only one
and use it somewhere in one of the unsold system.

I still have all my audio stuff, but it's all crated pack ready to go,
exception of my ambiant music system when I work on my computer, like right now.

I will include here with a few (Very low resolution) pictures.

Well that's it.
Have a nice weekend and feel free to write as often as you like.

I must say and that's not in a negative way,
there is less action here on Audio Nervosa compare to Audio Circle,
but I find here only civilised people posting civilised comments.

Guy 13

Hi Guy,
You’re correct...we have very little traffic compared to AC. The last two weeks at least we’ve been hit by spammers and issuing bans and making notes why can be very time consuming.  I haven’t approved any new members recently as well. I keep reading the forum SMF software, but it takes time to learn. I can’t predict a long range future for AN, but we have a bunch of decent guys here. Few arguments here and rarely anything close to rude or uncivil.
Nick

[Guy 13]

Hi all.
I didn't wanted to start a new topic
and since I want to talk about headphones,
I will stay here.

I remember my first real pair of heaphones when I was about 26 years old
it was the Sennheiser HD-414.
As per picture in the attachment
and picture of myself when I was a young man looking for hi-fi audio stuff.
You can see in the background the headphones.
I really liked those, the sound was good, they were very light,
not too uncomfortable, but o.k.
The other thing is if you wanted to have the full benefit of the sound
they could deliver,
you had to push both sides against your ears,
of course you couldn't do that for more than one minute at the time.
Otherwise I liked them.
At the time, many of us would plug them on our receiver,
can't recall what I had at that time (That's 45 years ago).
By the way, they said they sold 10 millions of those HD-414.

Guy 13



I have also included a similar picture of myself 40 years later.



...and a pair of noise cancelling - warmer headfun... (LOL)

[Guy 13]

Hi all.
Looking at the picture of the handsome young boy of mine,
I saw that my Sennheiser headphones did not look the same as the one in the attchment.
mine at the time, were much bigger,
so I decided to search on the web to see if there was other similar models to the HD-414
and I found this (See attachment) that look more like what I had.
I think they were HD-424 and not HD-414.
There, I don't want any of you to say that I made an unforgettable mistake.

Guy 13

[Guy 13]

Hi all.
Yes, it's me again !
Just a few words about my Sennheiser HD-650
that I purchased here on planet Vietnam 3 to 5 years ago (? ? ?)
for 425 USD at an authorized Sennheiser retailler.
My amplifier was the well regarded Bottlehead Crack
that was purchased directly from Bottlehead,
but was put together by an Audio Circle member
in exchange for a MC cartride that didn't fit on my Rega P3.
At first I wanted to buy the Schiit Valhalla
but many users said the unit was running very hot,
here on planet Vietnam, it's like hell, never been there, well not yet,
so I did not want to use the amplifier to heat upthe place.
So I went for the Bottlehead instead.
I've heard for the first time the HD-650 at an audio show
(Saigon Hi-end audio) and I was impressed with the sound, at the time,
even if their amplifier was something like an iPod...
I wanted an up grade from my Sennheiser HD-570 (Open back over the ear)
that I've pucrchased 15 years ago in Montreal at Future Shop (Now Best Buy)
for 100 $.
My first impression when I get back to my house
and set up the amplifer with the Rega Apollo CDP
the sound was dark and-or veilled.
I tried many thing, different sources and at that time I was with
Audio Circle and many members told me that I should get an up-grade on the amplifier
(Speed ball),
and up grade an the HD-650 cables and many more suggestions.
But I already had invested more that my budget,
so I kept my set up like that and I got more or less used to the way they sounded.
Of course they don't sound agressive, that's why people like them
and can listen to them for long time and the bass is good of course
they are also super comfortable.
The velour ear pad makes them perfect for the 30C + (90F)
I describe the comfort like this :
When you wear them, it's like a nice sweet little Vietnamese girl
put her sweet warm little hands gently around
your hears.
What a nice feeling.
I've tried half a dozen of other make - models of headphones
and none of them were as comfortable as the HD-650.
By the way, my olf pair of HD-570 are almost as comfortable.
So that it.

Guy 13

By the way,
for the sound quality,
nothing match the Stax Lambda that I owned 40 years ago.
Ther had sound that was crystal clear from top to bottom,
bass, mids and higs to me was all perfect.
The only thing I did not like,
was the leather or leatherrette,
but at the time I was living in North Pole or Montreal, about the same.