OD1
31-12-2014, 21:42
I have had my Croft since July 2013, configured by Glenn to work with my Exposure 2010s2 power amp. Pre has no gain but has a cathode follower (not sure what that means:scratch:)
From new I wanted more sparkle in the treble, so had some bypass caps suggested & fitted by Adrian at Audioflair.
All my listening was done using vinyl.
The Croft came with 2x JJ ECC83S for the phono stage, & a NOS Sylvania 5814WA for the line stage.
I lived with these valves for around 3 months before the tube rolling bug got the better of me :eyebrows:
Having previously owned an Icon Audio SE40I integrated amp, I knew I could subtly change the presentation by tube rolling as follows:
The original combo:
Punchy & detailed but with a flat soundstage (will keep for party use !)
1st change:
2X TJ ECC83 (used previously in my Icon amp) in Phono
These sounded lifeless, I could crank the volume up to max & still no dynamics,
later found out that the gain is a lot lower than the JJ's. (Now in a box in loft)
2nd change:
2X Nos Mullard ECC83 in phono
Overall more air & depth than the JJ's, with what seemed to me like more definition (timbre or tone ?) from bass / double Bass guitar & piano.
These were keepers, so now switched to rolling the line level valve.
Nos Mullard ECC82
Sounded nice, but a bit too relaxed for my taste in the mid range. (Will keep to try against the Gold Lion using CD source one day)
Genalex reissue Gold Lion ECC82
I was not expecting much from this valve, but I was pleasantly surprised !
This valve seemed to bring my system to life in the mid range, (for example I could clearly hear the reverb around Randy Crawfords vocals in Rio De Janeiro Blue) & rhythm Guitars have real presence.
I guess that the Mullards & Gold Lion valve combo complement each other in my system, or maybe I was lucky with the characteristics of the individual valves I purchased :scratch:
All listening was done after 50 hours or so on each valve.
I'm off now for a cigar or 2 before midnight when I have to give up :(
I wish you all a Happy New Year
Olly
PS: The above is written by someone who could not tell the difference between a Roksan Xerxes & an LP12 back in the 80's so forgive my vague sq descriptions !
From new I wanted more sparkle in the treble, so had some bypass caps suggested & fitted by Adrian at Audioflair.
All my listening was done using vinyl.
The Croft came with 2x JJ ECC83S for the phono stage, & a NOS Sylvania 5814WA for the line stage.
I lived with these valves for around 3 months before the tube rolling bug got the better of me :eyebrows:
Having previously owned an Icon Audio SE40I integrated amp, I knew I could subtly change the presentation by tube rolling as follows:
The original combo:
Punchy & detailed but with a flat soundstage (will keep for party use !)
1st change:
2X TJ ECC83 (used previously in my Icon amp) in Phono
These sounded lifeless, I could crank the volume up to max & still no dynamics,
later found out that the gain is a lot lower than the JJ's. (Now in a box in loft)
2nd change:
2X Nos Mullard ECC83 in phono
Overall more air & depth than the JJ's, with what seemed to me like more definition (timbre or tone ?) from bass / double Bass guitar & piano.
These were keepers, so now switched to rolling the line level valve.
Nos Mullard ECC82
Sounded nice, but a bit too relaxed for my taste in the mid range. (Will keep to try against the Gold Lion using CD source one day)
Genalex reissue Gold Lion ECC82
I was not expecting much from this valve, but I was pleasantly surprised !
This valve seemed to bring my system to life in the mid range, (for example I could clearly hear the reverb around Randy Crawfords vocals in Rio De Janeiro Blue) & rhythm Guitars have real presence.
I guess that the Mullards & Gold Lion valve combo complement each other in my system, or maybe I was lucky with the characteristics of the individual valves I purchased :scratch:
All listening was done after 50 hours or so on each valve.
I'm off now for a cigar or 2 before midnight when I have to give up :(
I wish you all a Happy New Year
Olly
PS: The above is written by someone who could not tell the difference between a Roksan Xerxes & an LP12 back in the 80's so forgive my vague sq descriptions !