Croft - why 2 volume controls?

[Mikeandvan]

Considering the Croft micro 25, but put off by the fact you have to turn both left and channel volumes, what on earth is the point of this feature? Baffled.

[montesquieu]

I think when ordering you can ask him for a stereo pot and a balance control, he does it for sonic reasons I believe, but personally I'm with you double mono is a royal pain in the bahookey.

[Mikeandvan]

I think when ordering you can ask him for a stereo pot and a balance control, he does it for sonic reasons I believe, but personally I'm with you double mono is a royal pain in the bahookey.

As if not having a remote wasn't bad enough!

[IHP]

As a loyal Croft user I may start a thread 'other amps, why only one volume control ?' :)

[Macca]

It gives better channel separation, less crosstalk. In theory at least.

Also lets you adjust balance without having a balance control knob in circuit too.

I've had a few amps with L and R volume controls including a Croft, never found it to be any bother at all.

[Firebottle]

It is also a lot cheaper to fit two mono pots as they don't have to have matched tracks like a stereo pot.

[walpurgis]

It's just a preference, not an issue. I've used amps with two volume controls and not been bothered by it.

[Jimbo]

Never been an issue, I like the fact you can balance the sound in your room depending on where you sit.

If it's an issue don't buy. I really cannot see any problem with them unless you only want the effort of turning one knob rather than two!?

[Mikeandvan]

First time I'd ever seen it, puzzled me. I've never used balance or tone controls for that matter. Does seem like a pita tbh, puts me off, but consensus seems its an excellent partner for a Quad power amp. Isn't there someone who can add remote control for Croft amps?

[Jimbo]

First time I'd ever seen it, puzzled me. I've never used balance or tone controls for that matter. Does seem like a pita tbh, puts me off, but consensus seems its an excellent partner for a Quad power amp. Isn't there someone who can add remote control for Croft amps?

I used the Croft Micro with a Quad 405 Mk2 and 606 power amp with great results. In fact I ran this set up for years. The only one downside is you may find the gain a little high. Never troubled me but some folk are sensitive to it.

[struth]

my mono power amps have a passive vc on them so i can adj for my position which is off to side. its very handy

[Firebottle]

Croft will add remote if you ask.
I have also added remote control to items as well.

[Mikeandvan]

my mono power amps have a passive vc on them so i can adj for my position which is off to side. its very handy

That is useful in my set up actually, still rather a remote though!

[Mikeandvan]

Croft will add remote if you ask.
I have also added remote control to items as well.

OK cheers.

[struth]

That is useful in my set up actually, still rather a remote though!

yup but once set are never moved. i have a remote on the amp i use as a pre.. the quad vena2.

[Mikeandvan]

I used the Croft Micro with a Quad 405 Mk2 and 606 power amp with great results. In fact I ran this set up for years. The only one downside is you may find the gain a little high. Never troubled me but some folk are sensitive to it.

Thanks james, seems to be a popular combo, at the minute I'm using a Khozmo passive which has quite a lean sound, which is intolerable with some music but great with others.

[Jimbo]

Thanks james, seems to be a popular combo, at the minute I'm using a Khozmo passive which has quite a lean sound, which is intolerable with some music but great with others.

Not keen on Passives myself Mike, they always seem to lack meat on the bone.

[donmarrese]

It gives better channel separation, less crosstalk. In theory at least.

Also lets you adjust balance without having a balance control knob in circuit too.

I've had a few amps with L and R volume controls including a Croft, never found it to be any bother at all.+1

Sent from my ONE A2003 using Tapatalk

[Light Dependant Resistor]

Not keen on Passives myself Mike, they always seem to lack meat on the bone.
Until you hear a good one, not routing audio signals through potentiometers or via stepped attenuator switched resistors.
https://robmid42.wixsite.com/diyaudiokits/which-ldr-preamp

[RichardA]

I have a croft 25 with a single stereo pot (the zero gain version that sees to be better with quad/leak power amps) so they can clearly be ordered that way (I think that the stereo pot version is more popular overseas - there are plenty that turn up on the German audio websites)
That said I have also used the 2 mono pot preamps in the past (both DNM and Croft) and although its quirky you soon get used to it. Initially I worried that perhaps I didn't have exactly the same volume from both channels but if the SQ is right, that worry evaporates pretty quickly.
Audioflair will retro fit a remote control feature to the preamp - they are Croft dealers and the remote option is listed on their website.

[Mikeandvan]

I have a croft 25 with a single stereo pot (the zero gain version that sees to be better with quad/leak power amps) so they can clearly be ordered that way (I think that the stereo pot version is more popular overseas - there are plenty that turn up on the German audio websites)
That said I have also used the 2 mono pot preamps in the past (both DNM and Croft) and although its quirky you soon get used to it. Initially I worried that perhaps I didn't have exactly the same volume from both channels but if the SQ is right, that worry evaporates pretty quickly.
Audioflair will retro fit a remote control feature to the preamp - they are Croft dealers and the remote option is listed on their website.




Thanks for that Ricard.

[Beobloke]

Considering the Croft micro 25, but put off by the fact you have to turn both left and channel volumes, what on earth is the point of this feature? Baffled.

There's an easy solution to make life easier - elastic band!

[walpurgis]

There's an easy solution to make life easier - elastic band!

Seen it done. :)

[hifi_dave]

I've been selling Croft since the early 80s and no owner has ever complained about the twin pots. I have had a handful of people put off buying because of twin pots but for those, the amps can be ordered with a single pot.

My RS LS has a single, stepped attenuator.


https://live.staticflickr.com/4831/47350780402_3af94e3240_b.jpg

[Clive]

Sometimes 2 pots are used due to poor channel balance of the stereo pots. What make of pots are used?

[Mikeandvan]

Anyone know what the phono stage is like on the Croft micro 25? (not the more expensive 25r which I can't afford). At the moment I use a G Slee era gold, I've always thought less interconnects/boxes must equal better sound, I could be completely wrong, usually am, but be nice to save 2 boxes (slee +ps) if the onboard Croft one is just as good.

[montesquieu]

Anyone know what the phono stage is like on the Croft micro 25? (not the more expensive 25r which I can't afford). At the moment I use a G Slee era gold, I've always thought less interconnects/boxes must equal better sound, I could be completely wrong, usually am, but be nice to save 2 boxes (slee +ps) if the onboard Croft one is just as good.

It will sound pretty different to the Slee, try and hear one if you can.

[hifi_dave]

Anyone know what the phono stage is like on the Croft micro 25? (not the more expensive 25r which I can't afford). At the moment I use a G Slee era gold, I've always thought less interconnects/boxes must equal better sound, I could be completely wrong, usually am, but be nice to save 2 boxes (slee +ps) if the onboard Croft one is just as good.

It's much more full bodied, sweeter and with greater presence. Very good indeed.

[simon e]

Audioflair will retro fit a remote control feature to the preamp - they are Croft dealers and the remote option is listed on their website.

That's very interesting, I wonder if it's feasible to fit a remote controlled stepped attenuator?

I had a very quick look at this before but there is no space between the pots on the front panel and the line stage circuit and valves behind them.

Sent from my SM-G950F using Tapatalk

[Audio Al]

I like the dual controls its very easy to set up , If you are sitting slightly off central to you speakers you can tweek the volume up on one channel , Also the phono stage is decent , I have the 25R :)

[Mikeandvan]

Be good to hear one before plunging into buying new, something I only ever do with carts/styluses!

[khapahk]

I've been selling Croft since the early 80s and no owner has ever complained about the twin pots. I have had a handful of people put off buying because of twin pots but for those, the amps can be ordered with a single pot.




https://live.staticflickr.com/4831/47350780402_3af94e3240_b.jpg

I've a 25R pre/7 power and actually quite like the twin pot arrangement on the 25R. What I didn't like were the knobs, like those shown in Dave's picture - they were soon removed and replaced by some "ordinary" round ones !

k

[Smegger68]

I had a twin mono Croft 25 for a while. Thought I'd get used to the two volume pots but I never did, used to annoy the hell out of me to the point that I stopped using my analogue sources as much. I just left the 2 pots at the halfway point and used the volume control on my streamer setup :D This was part of the reason I changed to my current preamp. It DID sound good though :)