Hi…the 6080 and 6AS7 are electrically identical, so you CAN use a 6AS7. The others are in fact different to varying degrees from the 6080/6AS7, so indeed maybe they would not work. I’ve owned a lot of 6AS7-based amps, and all of them have tolerated the 5998, since it actually draws slightly less current than a 6AS7G. The 6528, OTOH, draws twice the heater current of a 6080/6AS7G, so that might be a no-no here. But IME it’s a crappy sounding tube anyway.
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Check it out!
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Nice practice project! Building the bottlehead kit was hands-down one of the most enjoyable projects I’ve ever worked on. As eager as you might be to finish the build to listen to it, I definitely encourage you to take it slow and enjoy the process. I have spent hours looking for another solder project and have not found anything as interesting or in-depth as the Bottlehead Crack. As happy as I am with the BHC+Speedball sound, I am tempted to build their other DIY kits just for the experience… Enjoy!!
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Does anyone have opinions on DAC pairing? Currently using the Drop Grace SDAC (integrated in the Liquid Carbon).
Also recent finished finish my build. Love the look and sound of it.
More pics here:
https://imgur.com/gallery/3KnaWrz/
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That looks awesome! 
I use mine with a Schiit Bifrost, first gen for years and now with the Schiit Bifrost 2, with excellent all around results…
It has been my belief / experience that with amps the dac is probably the least important in the chain, the headphones, source material and amp follow somewhat…
Most any decent dac should do the job, be neutral and just convert the bits into audio…
Alex
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Whenever I get the time to finish mine I am going to pair it up with the Bifrost 2!
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Get it done. It is SO worth it. Love it with my Atticus.
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Very nice! Congrats!
The Mainline is also a very good Bottlehead Kit and will keep you busy soldering for a week! Ha!
It can be used with high and low impedance headphones!!
A really nice non-otl parafeed type amp…
Alex
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That’s cool.
I worked briefly at a Voice of America transmitter site near Greenville, NC back in the mid-80s. They had tubes that were 3 and 4 feet tall. When we got our first tour, we were told, “Don’t touch the tubes or you will die.” Fascinating technology and equipment. I believe some US sites are still active and some give tours.
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Hey Friends!! Check it out…a quick video with a fun montage unboxing of the Bottlehead Crack OTL 1.1 Headphone Amplifier! I hope you dig it, more audio gear videos to come! Give me a like on the YouTube video if you don’t mind and let me know if you want to see part 2 and 3 of this video series in the comments! Happy Sunday have a safe and great start to your week.
MR
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These are my favorite combo for pure music enjoyment.
Follow me on instagram for more headphoneporn: @audible_art_91
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I have my BHC, paired with a Schiit Gungnir Multibit, and it is an incredible pairing. The DAC definitely makes a difference, and I would get the best one you can afford. The BHC scales quite well, with a better DAC.
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Yes sir! One of my favorite combos. Roll in a 7316 Long Plate Foil D Getter for driver tube, and a Bendix 6080WB Graphite Plate for power tube, and the enjoyment goes to a completely different level.
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I’ve wondered for several months now how the Crack sounds compared to the Feliks Echo.
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That is one comparison I would love to hear. I have been extremely interested in the Feliks stuff for a while, but have not heard any yet.
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There are three main reasons I want it.
- It’s very affordable from a consumer’s perspective of wanting to stay under a grand, and they did NOT cheap out on the transformer
- Zach recommended it to me a year ago when I asked for an OTL amp recommendation with a $500 budget
- In the recent Dex and Tyler show stream, Zach brought up Feliks again. So the synergy must have some serious staying power with his tunings.
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Right there with ya, for the same 3 reasons.
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