[MacMan31]

So on my BHC I notice that I barely need to turn the volume knob to get a more than comfortable volume level. Like not even a quarter turn. Plus at the lowest point I hear sound there is channel imbalance. The volume increase is not very smooth and gradual. Is there any fix for this. I would rather need to turn the knob about half way than barely at all. Seems to be the only real issue I have. Otherwise it works great. Keep in mind I did not build this myself.

 

[Galapac]

So on my BHC I notice that I barely need to turn the volume knob to get a more than comfortable volume level. Like not even a quarter turn. Plus at the lowest point I hear sound there is channel imbalance. The volume increase is not very smooth and gradual. Is there any fix for this. I would rather need to turn the knob about half way than barely at all. Seems to be the only real issue I have. Otherwise it works great. Keep in mind I did not build this myself.

You would need to change your volume pot to either Alps, Audio Note or TKD.
https://www.partsconnexion.com/cgi-...b77f1157d6bb78322a865&search_field=Volume+pot

Others can share their thoughts but I have used 100k Alps in mine with no issues.

You can also use a volume PCB board for cleaner installation.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/275031067565?hash=item4009210bad:g:fVwAAOSwFV9X1nbh

 

[MacMan31]

You would need to change your volume pot to either Alps, Audio Note or TKD.
https://www.partsconnexion.com/cgi-...b77f1157d6bb78322a865&search_field=Volume+pot

Others can share their thoughts but I have used 20K Alps in mine with no issues.

Okay. I have heard of the Alps one. What is the difference between the various "K" options? They have 10K, 20K, 50K, 100K. Also where could I get a different volume knob if I wanted to change from the one I have (seems to be the stock one).

 

[Galapac]

Okay. I have heard of the Alps one. What is the difference between the various "K" options? They have 10K, 20K, 50K, 100K. Also where could I get a different volume knob if I wanted to change from the one I have (seems to be the stock one).

Same place:
https://www.partsconnexion.com/cgi-bin/sc/productsearch.cgi?search_field=knob
…or Amazon.
Etsy has them too, just search for knobs.

 

[MacMan31]

Okay perhaps I will check those out. I have never soldered before though.

 

[raindownthunda]

Same place:
https://www.partsconnexion.com/cgi-bin/sc/productsearch.cgi?search_field=knob
…or Amazon.
Etsy has them too, just search for knobs.

+1 For parts connexion. The 25mm AudioNote knob is a very nice upgrade.

 

[MacMan31]

I'm starting to think that the DIY kind of amp is not for me. Thankfully I have a Feliks Audio Echo on the way.

 

[jonathan c]

Don’t write off the BHC just yet. If need be, you may find an amplifier repair in the classified adverts - for the volume pot replacement. The BHC, with the right 6080 / 5998 / 6AS7G etc + 12AU7 tube, will work magic.

 

[MacMan31]

Don’t write off the BHC just yet. If need be, you may find an amplifier repair in the classified adverts - for the volume pot replacement. The BHC, with the right 6080 / 5998 / 6AS7G etc + 12AU7 tube, will work magic.

Well I'm sure it's a great amp. But I'm not so much of a DIY kind of person. I have no electrical experience.

 

[jonathan c]

I can’t imagine difficulty in finding a technician to replace a volume pot for the BHC. There are a few Head-Fiers, for example, who have replaced pots on BHC, Liquid Platinum etc. Place an advert…

 

[GPJ7]

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[MacMan31]

I can’t imagine difficulty in finding a technician to replace a volume pot for the BHC. There are a few Head-Fiers, for example, who have replaced pots on BHC, Liquid Platinum etc. Place an advert…

You mean put an ad in the Classified section?

You need to pad the pot with resistors. Your volume situation is a common issue. See item #3 here (and the photo at the bottom of that post) .... this should solve your problem completely:

https://forum.bottlehead.com/index.php?topic=4295.msg39600#msg39600

The 100K stock pot shouldn't need upgraded but the Alps and Audio Note are a good choice. Your headphones are causing the issue and even those pots will need to be padded if they are 100K.

I don't see any photos on that page. How are my headphones causing the issue?

 

[GPJ7]

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[MacMan31]

The photo can be seen if you log into the forum.

There is nothing wrong with your headphones. The Crack is meant to drive high impedance headphones (best with 250 - 600 ohm IME). It will drive low impedance phones but not omptimally and may not sound the best they can. It can also make the volume adjustment a lot more sensitive just like you are experiencing.

Well I'd have to create a log in for the forum. My headphones currently are the HD6XX and ZMF Aeolus though I would like to try other options. My plan is to have one solid state and one tube amp so I can use a variety of headphones. That's why I had gotten the Schiit Lyr 3. It can handle all kinds of headphones and give some "tube sound" as well. Also is it advisable to use an adapter in the front tube socket to be able to use other tube options? I've seen a few BHC posts on Instagram where the front tube is a big (or bigger) tube than the 12AU7 tube. Examples: https://www.instagram.com/p/BfDt1R9BYs-/ and https://www.instagram.com/p/Cc0nkAZO5lL/

 

[GPJ7]

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