Croft Micro basic tube upgrades ?
Hi
I have the above valve pre amp ,
It has 2 off J J ECC83S and
1 off Pinnacle ECC83 12AX7
Valves fitted any recommendation for better tubes ?
Thanks
Location: Dagenham Essex
Posts: 11,215
I'm Allen.
Croft Micro basic tube upgrades ?
Hi
I have the above valve pre amp ,
It has 2 off J J ECC83S and
1 off Pinnacle ECC83 12AX7
Valves fitted any recommendation for better tubes ?
Thanks
[
Mullard work very well and were my valve of choice when I ran the Basic before I switch to the Epoch.
SS
CD Teac VRDS25X(Audiotuned) DECK 1210 Mat Crystal Audio Mods MN Base/Bearing/Platter+Ebony armboard Feet Isonoe PSU Paul Hynes SR7EHD-27XL/DCSXL Ag DC lead/3 Stage Regs/Recap PCB+No Pitch/Strobe/Light ARM SME V(Kondo Ag Rewire&Tags) MC Cadenza Black FGS CABLES Arm Yannis SPD-4 IC Yannis 222 Litz+Ag bullets Power WAR PRE ATC SCA2 SPEAKERS ATC 50ASL STANDS Atacama PHONO Sugden Masterclass PA4 SUT Ortofon ST80SE POWER PSAudio P10
VALVE
PRE Croft Epoch(Modded) AMP Sondex S100 (Modded) SPEAKERS Tannoy 15"MG+RFC Warwick cabs+ Ref XO + Batpure supertweeters DECK Garrard 301 Mat Teunto Bearings 401(Bastin) Plinth Bamboo Arms 3009/3012 PSU Eagle+Tachometer MC Ag Meister II/FGS + Ortofon SPU MONO CABLES Arm Yannis 420.5 Litz+ SpeakerPC Tripple C+WBT-0681 Ag IC Oyaide FTVS-510 AgWBT 0110Ag Phonostages Paradise(4 Box Mega-Modded) / Croft Musicmaker
Depends on your definition of "better"
I have a Croft 25RS which has similar valves in line and phono stage to yours. After much tube rolling I settled on NOS Siemens and Halske's throughout until I came across a set of NOS Amperex Bugle Boy SQ's which are now installed and staying. They give a sublime rich and detailed presentation without being too warm. Personally, I found the Mullards a bit "rich and thick" for my tastes and Telefunkens a little bright. The S&H's hit the middle sweet spot but the BB's added a little more depth.
Clearly, other system components will have an effect - I use a Croft valve MC headamp with S&H CCA's so this will have a bearing on what happens in the pre.
As always YMMV
Steve
Always a little further
NOS Tesla ECC83 32,s - superb alround detailed tube.
If you want some try googling Mullardman, he has them on eBay.
Sold some of these to Blackadder and I think they went down very well!
Main system : VPI Scout 1.1 / JMW 9T / 2M Black / Croft 25R+ / Croft 7 / Heco Celan GT 702
Second System : Goldring Lenco GL75 / AT95EX / Pioneer SX590 / Spendor SP2
Location: Dagenham Essex
Posts: 11,215
I'm Allen.
I have looked for the Amperex Bugle Boy SQ valves , can't find any
[
Location: Kent
Posts: 1,357
I'm Clark.
I've always favoured the Brimar 6057 Trustworthy when it comes to ECC83's
JJs are just too dark for my liking. I don't mind Tung Sol and I have these in my preamp. Light years better than the JJs. Sovtek LPS are very nice too and I would place them in front of the Sols but I'm happy with either. I don't bother with Mullards or any of the other overpriced exotica any more.
Ralph.
I got mine from AoS member Drew who often posts on here. He has a huge collection of NoS valves. Worth trawling through the old pages in the Private Exhibitions area.
I also have a set of Phillips Miniwatt SQ gold pin ecc83's that were NoS when I bought them - have about 100 hours -quite similar to the BB's although not quite as sweet in the midrange as well as some GE triple mica 5star ecc83's somewhere - you're welcome to try them out
Always a little further
Location: Dagenham Essex
Posts: 11,215
I'm Allen.