View Full Version : Croft MC head amp - Eureka!
I bought this off eBay recently - never seen one before, and it is a perfect match for the rest of the system. At Glenn's suggestion I have swapped the Colomor (?provincence) valves for a pair of 1980's NOS Tesla ECC88's - currently a bargain at £15 from Watford Valves.
Like many, I have been using a SUT with my MC cartridges and while I have been pleased with the results I always felt that there was something "not quite right". In fact I often went back to my Decca Blue. Like as not it was down to poor impedance matching but after reading this article http://www.vinylengine.com/step-ups-and-mc-cartridges.shtml on the subject I despaired of ever getting a fully working partnership :doh:
The Croft head amp has solved the issues at a stroke. Bass is deeper and better controlled, there is more fine audio detail (for example soft/quiet back ground voice/speech is more intelligible) and the whole presentation seems to have more "air/space and life" where in retrospect it sounded a tad constricted and strangled before.
I even quite like the contrasting white front plate :cool:
Steve
Looks like it is based on a circuit published in Hi-Fi News (and Record Review) many years ago: both sections of an ECC88 wired in parallel, and using an anode, solid state, constant-current source.
Glad it's working well for you Steve - what MC cartridge are you using?
Glad it's working well for you Steve - what MC cartridge are you using?
Hi Barry - a Zyx R100 -2H
Hi Barry - a Zyx R100 -2H
Cheers Steve.
I know there are genuine reasons why Glenn stopped making this, but if better valves are now available and background noise and overload aren't an issue, it would seem that he could re-introduce it - even the Radio Spares case would add some retro styling I reckon :)
The ZYX loved the expensive valved Tron 7 stage as I remember :) Hope you continue to enjoy this very rare head amp Steve.
I know there are genuine reasons why Glenn stopped making this, but if better valves are now available and background noise and overload aren't an issue, it would seem that he could re-introduce it - even the Radio Spares case would add some retro styling I reckon :)
The ZYX loved the expensive valved Tron 7 stage as I remember :) Hope you continue to enjoy this very rare head amp Steve.
Thanks David
Glenn told me he couldn't source truly non-microphonic quiet valves anymore which was the amps Achilles heel - the Teslas sound mighty fine - there is no background noise at normal listening volume - I also have a pair of cryo SQ 6922's that are even quieter but don't sound quite as nice. Glenn suggested that 7308's would be the quietest - pretty rare but Lorenz Tang at WiWi tubes has some - not cheap at $190 for a matched pair
Thanks David
Glenn told me he couldn't source truly non-microeconomic valves anymore which was the Achilles heel - the Teslas sound mighty fine - there is no background noise at normal listening volume - I also have a pair of cryo SQ 6922's that are even quieter but don't sound quite as nice. Glenn suggested that 7308's would be the quietest - pretty rare but WiWi tubes have some
Have you tried NOS Mullard E88CC valves? You ought to be able to get them from Chelmer Valve Company.
Have you tried NOS Mullard E88CC valves? You ought to be able to get them from Chelmer Valve Company.
No - not tried those as yet Barry.
A man of your call-eye-ber Steve should be able to afford all manner of valves for this. How much did the basic unit cost you, if you don't mind me asking?
How much did the basic unit cost you, if you don't mind me asking?
I paid £220 on eBay (started at £75) - it was more than I had intended but as I'd never come across one before I really wanted it (should have taken more notice of my AoS signature) - but more importantly it sounds terrific so I'm happy.
Glenn told me he couldn't source truly non-microphonic quiet valves anymore which was the amps Achilles heel - the Teslas sound mighty fine - there is no background noise at normal listening volume - I also have a pair of cryo SQ 6922's that are even quieter but don't sound quite as nice. Glenn suggested that 7308's would be the quietest - pretty rare but Lorenz Tang at WiWi tubes has some - not cheap at $190 for a matched pair
Try Telefunken from Upscale Audio http://www.upscaleaudio.com/telefunken-e88cc-6922/
Try Telefunken from Upscale Audio http://www.upscaleaudio.com/telefunken-e88cc-6922/
Very nice.
I've just bought a pair of NOS Philips Miniwatt SQ E88cc's and I'm thinking about Siemens CCa's
Very nice.
I've just bought a pair of NOS Philips Miniwatt SQ E88cc's and I'm thinking about Siemens CCa's
Let us know how you get on. My phono stage does not have a single transistor and comes with a complement of valves as follows
2x 6DJ8/ ECC88 or 6922/ E88CC, 7308
2x 12AX7/ ECC83 or 7025, 5751
2x 12AT7/ ECC81
1x 6X4 rectifier
Tube rolling is possible with the caveat that the E88CCs in particular must be quiet.
Let us know how you get on.
.
The Philips Miniwatt SQ E88cc's sound gorgeous. I read several reviews about them especially here https://www.tubeworld.com/6922.htm and I have to say I agree with the descriptions - especially reagrding the "sweet, liquid" quality - sounded daft until I heard them. Really really nice. Also quiet.
I am awaiting delivery of a pair of NOS NiB Seimens CCa's which I am expecting to sound different again with likely more "air" and top end clarity but perhaps less bass definition
Will report back
Steve
I've now had chance to install and listen to the Siemens CCa's - the reports are not hype - these are truly stunning - detailed, open and dynamic with taut detailed bass and phenomenal vocals
A man of your call-eye-ber Steve should be able to afford all manner of valves for this. How much did the basic unit cost you, if you don't mind me asking?
Hi David
So the NoS Siemens CCa's were an upper and lower limb but are a phenomenon - I've put the Philips Miniwatt SQ e88cc's in the SOHA headphone amp - brilliant
I've now had chance to install and listen to the Siemens CCa's - the reports are not hype - these are truly stunning - detailed, open and dynamic with taut detailed bass and phenomenal vocals
Oh dear, looks like I may have to get my (thin) wallet out. How do they go for running in? and warm-up time?
Sounded very good immediately - after just a couple of hours they just opened up - they sound totally flat across the audio frequency range with no emphasis in any area - superb detail and clarity. The Philips Miniwatts initially sounded more beguiling but after a while you accept they are adding some coloration - I guess it depends as always on what you like the Miniwatts are superb with a liquid lush midrange but the CCa's sound totally faithful if that makes sense?
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