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Thread: Croft micro 25 Line Preamp

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  1. #1
    Join Date: Apr 2011

    Location: cheltenham

    Posts: 746
    I'm matt.

    Default Croft micro 25 Line Preamp

    I've decided I want to try a Croft preamp because of all the great things I've heard about them.

    I was looking at the cheaper £550 Croft Micro 25 line stage but noticed an older version on ebay (LINK). The thing that worried me Is the fact that the box looks almost empty compared to later versions of the same amp.

    Has anyone heard this preamp?

  2. #2
    Join Date: Apr 2012

    Location: N E Kent

    Posts: 51,624
    I'm Geoff.

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    An uncluttered box always appeals to me. Less is often more where amps are concerned. If it does the job, it's fine. Cheaper to fix too.
    It is impossible for anything digital to sound analogue, because it isn't analogue!

  3. #3
    Bigman80 Guest

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    No phono stage in it, Thats why its empty. Its only a line pre amp. You may already know that though lol

  4. #4
    Join Date: Apr 2011

    Location: cheltenham

    Posts: 746
    I'm matt.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Bigman80 View Post
    No phono stage in it, Thats why its empty. Its only a line pre amp. You may already know that though lol
    I did know they do two versions of the same amp but the switch on the front and the connections on the back both say "Phono". I guess It means that of the three valves that you normally see, two are for the phono stage, and the cases are all the same to allow for upgrades.

  5. #5
    Bigman80 Guest

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    Quote Originally Posted by fatmarley View Post
    I did know they do two versions of the same amp but the switch on the front and the connections on the back both say "Phono". I guess It means that of the three valves that you normally see, two are for the phono stage, and the cases are all the same to allow for upgrades.
    I'd have thought so. The bad feedback is a concern.

    Sent from my EVA-L09 using Tapatalk

  6. #6
    Join Date: Apr 2011

    Location: cheltenham

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    I'm matt.

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    Hmmm - No postage and bad feedback.

  7. #7
    Join Date: Dec 2013

    Location: Yorkshire

    Posts: 108
    I'm Phil.

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    Matt, looks to me that this is miss-advertised, it's described as a micro 25, when it's a micro basic, a cheaper alternative. That said, people on here say the basic is pretty good, it's just not a full blown pucker Micro 25 if that's what you're looking for.
    CCA, Sony TA FB940R, Spendor S3/5r2.
    Quad 306, Tisbury, Rega Apollo CD.

  8. #8
    Join Date: Aug 2009

    Location: Staffordshire, England

    Posts: 37,779
    I'm Martin.

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    Quote Originally Posted by PhilofCas View Post
    Matt, looks to me that this is miss-advertised, it's described as a micro 25, when it's a micro basic, a cheaper alternative. That said, people on here say the basic is pretty good, it's just not a full blown pucker Micro 25 if that's what you're looking for.
    Agree it is a micro-basic. The Micro basic is the one I had for a couple of years, albeit with the phono stage. It is very good for the money but if you want some semblance of neutrality to the source you'll need to look elsewhere.
    Current Lash Up:

    TEAC VRDS 701T > Sony TAE1000ESD > Krell KSA50S > JM Labs Focal Electra 926.

  9. #9
    Join Date: Apr 2011

    Location: cheltenham

    Posts: 746
    I'm matt.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Macca View Post
    Agree it is a micro-basic. The Micro basic is the one I had for a couple of years, albeit with the phono stage. It is very good for the money but if you want some semblance of neutrality to the source you'll need to look elsewhere.
    Oh! - I've heard so many good things said about Croft preamps. I think your the first person I've heard say bad things about them. Or does this just apply to the Micro Basic? Also, what does It add to the sound?

  10. #10
    Join Date: Aug 2009

    Location: Staffordshire, England

    Posts: 37,779
    I'm Martin.

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    Quote Originally Posted by fatmarley View Post
    Oh! - I've heard so many good things said about Croft preamps. I think your the first person I've heard say bad things about them. Or does this just apply to the Micro Basic? Also, what does It add to the sound?
    I can only speak for the Micro Basic as never had the more expensive models. I had it for two or three years so don't' get me wrong it isn't bad and I enjoyed it a lot. I had a brief trial with the 7 series power amp as well and that combination was exceptional for (I think) about a grand new.

    My criticism was that it glossed over the differences in production. It had clarity, perhaps because it is a simple but cleverly thought out circuit, but it was coloured. Even modern, polished, slightly sterile digital studio recordings sounded like they were made in the late sixties on all-valve gear. Obviously there will be a lot of people who would not have a problem with that, I eventually decided that I did.
    Current Lash Up:

    TEAC VRDS 701T > Sony TAE1000ESD > Krell KSA50S > JM Labs Focal Electra 926.

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