Croft Micro 25 Preamp / Series 5 Power Amp

[Elephantears]

1. Croft Micro 25 Preamp with superb built in phono stage. £425 plus postage or collected in SE London. Comes in original box, with three recently fitted JJ ECC 83s.

Postage will be approx £22 to the UK, and I'm guessing about £34 to EU.

This has been fitted with the better volume and selector knobs from the 25R and has some extra internal damping fitted. The overall cosmetic condition is good but not spotless; there are some small marks on the top case, but nothing to really distract from the unassuming blankness of the Croft aesthetic.

The sound is a superbly judged mix of richness, clarity and openness. The 25 is a little bit more mid-range focused than the 25R, and some listeners prefer this. It is wonderful with vocal and instrumental texture but it also excels at a realistic sense of space.

2. Series 5 valve power amp. This the later model with horizontal valves in a nicely constructed case. It's in excellent condition and I have a decent Exposure branded box that fits it well for postage. Also £425 plus postage.

The design was an attempt to retain the sonic values of the Leek Stereo 20 with more power. 8 x EL84 valves gives about 28W, if I remember correctly. It powers 86dB Harbeths nicely if you don't listen at high volumes, and the only speakers I've found it really struggled with were Martin Logans, which have outrageously high impedance in the highest frequencies. It has a lovely natural and airy sound, with excellent tonal colour. I prefer it to a Series 7 with efficient speakers, and possibly over a 7R.

http://i1204.photobucket.com/albums/bb412/andreweastham/Micro%2025%20Front.jpg (http://s1204.photobucket.com/user/andreweastham/media/Micro%2025%20Front.jpg.html)http://i1204.photobucket.com/albums/bb412/andreweastham/Micro%2025%20top.jpg (http://s1204.photobucket.com/user/andreweastham/media/Micro%2025%20top.jpg.html)

http://i1204.photobucket.com/albums/bb412/andreweastham/Micro%2025%20back.jpg (http://s1204.photobucket.com/user/andreweastham/media/Micro%2025%20back.jpg.html)

http://i1204.photobucket.com/albums/bb412/andreweastham/Micro%2025%20open_1.jpg (http://s1204.photobucket.com/user/andreweastham/media/Micro%2025%20open_1.jpg.html)

Series 5:

http://i1204.photobucket.com/albums/bb412/andreweastham/IMG_9571.jpg (http://s1204.photobucket.com/user/andreweastham/media/IMG_9571.jpg.html)

http://i1204.photobucket.com/albums/bb412/andreweastham/IMG_9572.jpg (http://s1204.photobucket.com/user/andreweastham/media/IMG_9572.jpg.html)

[Elephantears]

Bump

[donmarrese]

That Series 5 amp is Cheap...surprised it's still on!
I would but have a Series 5 Mk2...:) and Andrew's Vitale...Beauty about Croft gear is that Glenn will bring them up to scratch/spec for peanuts! and mods are in abundance.
Well worth a twirl.

[symon]

Ah, this is nice. I wonder how quickly I could sell my Leak Stereo 20 and Rega CDP in order to afford this? Probably not quick enough, but I might just try.
Good luck with the sale, these look beautiful.

[Elephantears]

The Series 5 is now sold, but the Micro 25 is still available.

Don, nice to know you've got a Series V. I thought this one I just sold was a Series 2, and the one with the stand up valves was Series 1?

Peter, sorry I only just say your post. A shame to sell a Stereo 20!

[Elephantears]

Bump

[donmarrese]

Hi Andrew, I was informed series 1 was upright valves with cage just covering valves, series 2 is where we have upright valves and full cage over valves and transformers. Series 3 all incased...

Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk

[Elephantears]

Ah, ok, that clears it up. Thanks.

[Elephantears]

Micro 25 still for sale

[macvisual]

So the Series 5 now sold Andrew....? Was about to message you about this.....Aaaggghhhhhh.

[Simon_Nottingham]

Yup. Aaggghhhhh indeed.

Been looking for one of these to match my Vitale pre. That's what happens when you don't look at AoS for a couple of days. Bugger!

[Elephantears]

Yes, sorry, Series 5 now sold. I regretted selling it when I put it in the system to test before posting! On the look out for a Series 4 now to continue the Croft journey.

Micro 25 now provisionally sold.

[Elephantears]

Micro 25 is now back up for sale, as a buyer was not willing to use bank transfer or Paypal Gift.

I will of course accept cash on collection (with demonstration available), but Paypal (not Gift) is out of the question.

[donmarrese]

There's always a Joker or two in the Pack!
I like the simplicity of the Micro 25...your're not paying for contents, but craftsmanship, knowledge and sound!

Good luck with sale..

[Elephantears]

SOLD

[petrat]

Yes, sorry, Series 5 now sold. I regretted selling it when I put it in the system to test before posting! On the look out for a Series 4 now to continue the Croft journey.



I once had a series 4 ... SA, I think it was. Had about 15 valves, full of regulator and voltage reference valves. Lovely thing, but pretty rare as people tend to hang on to them as a 'final destination' amp.