Intro - looking to get valve amp

[sixxam69]

HI,

New to the forum and looking to buy a valve amp in the nr future - croft, icon audio or eastern elecrtic faves at the moment

[mr sneff]

Hi Adrian, welcome to AOS :) There are plenty of valve amp users on the forum who can advise you.
What kit are you using at the moment and what music do you like to listen to?

[sixxam69]

HI,

Im in between systems at the moment but really like the valve sound.

Fave music is 80's rock music. Have a good cd collection but have just returned to collecting vinyl as it seems so cheap at the moment.

[Frankyc2003]

Hi Adrian,

Indeed welcome to the forum.
There is a wealth of information on multiple valve amplifiers here.
Which amplifier made you fall in love with the sound of valves?
It could helps seeing which type of sound you are after.

All 3 makes you mention are great value for money, delivering some stunning results with the right set of speakers...

Synergy is very important here, and I would consider a new amp with new speakers all together, as the best results will be tremendous if that synergy is achieved.

My experience was trying to drive some Proac 130 with Audi Note Zero monoblocks (8W of EL84), and that DIDN'T work!

So always consider both end of the system...

[sixxam69]

Icon audio was the first valve amp I heard and have had the pleasure of listening to a few in the range. My fave results were with Harbeth P3ESR. Current fave is croft micro pre/power with the Harbeth speakers. Great speaker for all the guitar music I like listening too

[Frankyc2003]

Sounds pretty good to me!
Really nice combo you could do a lot worse than that!

Croft and Harbeth should work very well together!