AUDIONOTE VS BOTTLEHEAD UPDATE
AUDIONOTE VS BOTTLEHEAD FULL
AUDIONOTE VS BOTTLEHEAD PC
AUDIONOTE VS BOTTLEHEAD DOWNLOAD

What stopped me wasn't the detail in the rendition, but the sense of realism conveyed by the texture and resonance I could hear in the piano. I might also re-wire to 32 ohms if that's the case.įor example, the other day my music was playing on shuffle when a was stopped dead by a piano chord in a track I know really well, but I can't remember the name of as I write this.

AUDIONOTE VS BOTTLEHEAD UPDATE

I've PM'ed Doc about this and will update once I have confirmation. in its 32 ohm configuration produces a particularly low noise floor so perhaps the hum I'm experiencing is a result of the 8 ohm configuration. The Bottlehead site states that wiring the S.E.X. The hum isn't really an issue once the music starts, but I thought it was worth mentioning the hum. in 100% stock form and without the C4S add-on.īefore I get into the separate aspects of the sound, I wanted to mention that there is a faintly audible hum when you turn on the S.E.X. Remember that the following comments are based on the S.E.X. I'll start by talking about the S.E.X.'s sound in general terms before comparing it directly with the Crack. Sound So here we are at the part that really matters. These are referred to as coin-base tubes and may look preferable depending on your tastes, but are apparently no different in sound. Acoustic / vocal: Sierra by Boz Scaggs (44.1kHz / 16-bit)īack to the 6DN7 tubes. There are some variants floating around where the base is much thinner.Electronic: Jaguar by A Hundred Birds (44.1kHz / 16-bit).

AUDIONOTE VS BOTTLEHEAD DOWNLOAD

Classical: Rimsky-Korsakov's The Snow Maiden - Dance of the Tumblers performed by the Minnesota Orchestra from HD Tracks Download Experience (96kHz / 24-bit).

Rock: Good Excuse from The John Butler Trio: Grand National (44.1kHz / 16-bit).

Rock: (Untitled) from VAST: Visual Audio Sensory Theatre (44.1kHz / 16-bit).

Jazz: High Life from Jazz at the Pawnshop (192kHz / 24-bit).

Standard tubes as delivered with the kit (with a subsection in each review dedicated to tube rolling experiences).

Standard, generic power cables (all reviews using 240V versions of the amplifiers).

The same RCA cables between the DAC and amps - a set of high quality Stinger RCA cables that I favour due to their smooth, but detailed presentation.

Edit: Upgraded to Matrix X-Sabre 20/10/13 - see product threads for notes on the impact of this change. All comparisons will be completed with the same DAC meaning that I will go back and re-test with the X-Sabre if I upgrade.

AUDIONOTE VS BOTTLEHEAD PC

PC audio delivered bit-perfect from Media Monkey via Chord SilverPlus USB to Audio-gd NFB-5.2 with a possible change to the Matrix X-Sabre soon.Beyerdynamic T1 headphones only (I will comment on the pairing of the non-OTL amps with lower impedance cans, but direct comparisons will involve the T1 only to be fair and consistent).Reviewing Specifics All reviews / comparisons will be completed using: Update 26th April 2014: I've just added a brief summary of upgrading the volume control on the Bottlehead S.E.X.

AUDIONOTE VS BOTTLEHEAD FULL

If you want a really quick summary, I've placed one here: , but I recommend reading the full reviews to help you fully appreciate each amplifier for its own unique character and style.

Mainline vs DNA Stratus comparison (by Įach review will also offer direct comparisons to the other current models in the Bottlehead range.

Mainline impressions with multiple headphones (by.

Crack review (pre and post Speedball).

I'm reserving the next few posts for the following: The aim of this thread is to allow comparison discussions and to help people decide on the amp that best meets their skill level, listening preferences, headphones, and budget (but we all know that last one can change quickly once you're hooked). So after much discussion on the Crack-specific thread () I'm starting this thread for the discussion and comparison of all Bottlehead amps together. Without realising it I seem to have become a Bottlehead fan, groupie, slave-to-the-tube.

Audionote vs bottlehead