Opinions on Croft Integrated Phono Hybrid Amp

[eldarvanyar]

Hi all,
I have the option of buying a Croft integrated amp for £345. It looks to be in good condition.

From what I can read on the internet it seems to be an integrated valve pre with transistor power stage. There is a review on Stereophile

https://www.stereophile.com/content/croft-acoustics-phono-integrated-integrated-amplifier

https://www.stereophile.com/images/styles/600_wide/public/1013croft.promo_.jpg

https://www.stereophile.com/images/1013croft.bac.jpg

https://www.stereophile.com/images/1013croft.inside.jpg

The only difference I can see is that the one for sale has a single volume knob, not two.

Would it be the same amp apart from the volume control? Does the two volume control have other differences.

I do wonder about the heat generated from the valves in such a compact case. Are these reliable? Are the upgradeable?


If I am going to buy it I need to be quick.

Thanks

[Jimbo]

Very good price so go for it.

No concerns about valves overheating. I have more in my Croft 25R and no problems. Very reliable and upgradeable.

Volume control nice option and would not be concerned about difference between 2 pot design. More convenient I would say.

[kininigin]

Don't know what speakers you are running but if suitable i'd say go for it at that price! No concerns with heat and yes you can change the valves if you wished. Regarding volume pots, the only difference would be you have no way to balance left and right speaker if you need to. I don't imagine that to be a huge problem :scratch:

[Wakefield Turntables]

Had one of these. great amp, you'll easily sell it on if you don't gel.

[hifi_dave]

I've sold so many of these that I can't say for sure just how many.

Just make sure it hasn't be 'bodged' by someone as so many on the s/h market appear to be.

[eldarvanyar]

How have they been bodged Dave? Is it through repairs or upgrades?
Would it drive the Harbeth C7ES-3 I bought from you a couple of years ago. I still haven't taken them out of the box.
I am just too busy with work and family.

Sent from my CPH2145 using Tapatalk

[Macca]

It should be fine with the Harbeths.

[Mikeandvan]

Imagine having to turn two knobs just to adjust the volume, and they have to be at exactly the same level!! £345 seems cheap.

[Macca]

Imagine having to turn two knobs just to adjust the volume, and they have to be at exactly the same level!! £345 seems cheap.

I don't have to imagine, I used to have a Croft preamp with dual pots. It isn't a big deal.

[Jimbo]

Imagine having to turn two knobs just to adjust the volume, and they have to be at exactly the same level!! £345 seems cheap.

Most listening rooms are rarely symmetrical so they can compensate for listening position etc and act as a balance control and are better at channel separation and preventing crosstalk than a stereo pot.

[Jimbo]

I don't have to imagine, I used to have a Croft preamp with dual pots. It isn't a big deal.

Your right Martin they are not a big deal. Once you have set them for the evening I rarely touch them. The pots Glenn used were very high quality

I believe they were these. Get great reviews.

https://www.hificollective.co.uk/index.php/potentiometers/tocos-cosmos-mono.html

[Jimbo]

A review of the Tocos pots.

https://www.hificollective.co.uk/sites/default/files/albarry_music_cosmos_review.pdf

[Macca]

Most listening rooms are rarely symmetrical so they can compensate for listening position etc and act as a balance control and are better at channel separation and preventing crosstalk than a stereo pot.

Although ironically this amplifier has fairly mediocre channel separation. It's not a real-world issue though.

[hifi_dave]

Imagine having to turn two knobs just to adjust the volume, and they have to be at exactly the same level!! £345 seems cheap.

It was Glenn's preferred configuration which is good enough for me. Reality is, they give you a balance control with none of the downsides and it is so easy to adjust for volume that you forget about the two pots within 2 or 3 operations. I reckon that 99% (or close) of the Croft amps I have sold over the decades had twin pots and never had a complaint.