Advice required

[Audio Al]

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 :)

[Wakefield Turntables]

Mullard work very well and were my valve of choice when I ran the Basic before I switch to the Epoch.

[worrasf]

any recommendation for better tubes ?

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

[Jimbo]

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!

[danilo]

NOS Tesla ECC83 32,s - superb alround detailed tube.


JJ's sound good for my uses, I have a few.
Although IMO Toshiba 2sk170's do sound 'better' ;)

[Audio Al]

I have looked for the Amperex Bugle Boy SQ valves , can't find any :(

[BTH K10A]

I've always favoured the Brimar 6057 Trustworthy when it comes to ECC83's

[CornishPasty]

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.

[worrasf]

I have looked for the Amperex Bugle Boy SQ valves , can't find any :(

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

[Audio Al]

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

Hi Stephen

That would be good if you don't mind , PM on its way

[Virtual-Symmetry]

Why dont people ever mention Telefunken old stock? one of the best sounding tubes i ever used.

[struth]

I had a few telefunken valves. Top stuff...as are their fullrange drivers

[CornishPasty]

Why dont people ever mention Telefunken old stock? one of the best sounding tubes i ever used.

Because of the inflated prices perhaps.

[worrasf]

Why dont people ever mention Telefunken old stock? one of the best sounding tubes i ever used.
Nothing wrong with them at all (provided you don't fall for the fakes) - tried them and they were just a little too thin for my tastes. The S&H's IMO sounded "better"