I saw that Micro Basic advertised elsewhere. Although I can't afford it at the moment, it has jumped straight to the top of my list for trying out valve equipment - a great price. I would be interested to hear any reviews.
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I saw that Micro Basic advertised elsewhere. Although I can't afford it at the moment, it has jumped straight to the top of my list for trying out valve equipment - a great price. I would be interested to hear any reviews.
Hi Symon,Quote:
Originally Posted by symon
You don't need to wait for a comic to publish a review and confirm the performance of this bit of kit. I can honestly tell you that there is nothing out there at this price that can compete. It's that simple.
Glenn knows it is too cheap for what it is and likes it that way.
Regards, Matt.
Never a truer word was spoken!
How's it going, Matt - have you still got some of Glenn's 'toys' at yours? :)
I've been meaning to pop down but have just been too busy.
Marco,
Hi Marco,Quote:
Originally Posted by Marco
Sorry but the R version prototypes went back this week. My own Twinstar II has just come back after getting the treatment. Quite honestly the latest upgrade solved issues with the sound that I didn't even know I had, as well as giving me a few more Watts of power to play with. The setup now blows me away every time I switch on. Even more so than before.
Well worth a listen. You know you are welcome anytime.
I trust all is well with you .
Best, Matt.
Quote:
Originally Posted by matodono1
Matt, this is exactly the sort of review I am after! :smoking:
Thanks. Now, where can I find the money and justify spending it on this and not on something else more useful? :lolsign:
Hi Matt,Quote:
Originally Posted by matodono1
I like the the look of that, a very attractive price too! :)
I presume the basic is line level only?
Peter,Quote:
Matt, this is exactly the sort of review I am after! :smoking:
Bearing in mind what we were discussing earlier, have a look at what's under the hood of the Micro 25:
http://www.croftacoustics.co.uk/micro25.html
It's not virtually empty because it's lacking in anything - well it is actually; what it's lacking in is over-complication and the use of unnecessary components in the signal path that some more expensive designs use to justify their exorbitant price tags!! ;)
The Micro 25 uses high quality components throughout and is hard-wired simplicity at its best. This is what good valve design is all about.
Matt,
Sounds good, mate. I bet you're delighted with your upgrades! I know that I was when Glenn transformed my CX :smoking:
We'll defo need to have a bake-off soon, so will be in touch :cool:
Marco.
Hi Symon,Quote:
Originally Posted by symon
Thanks, but you should know that I do have a bias.
I am the web designer and marketer for Croft Acoustics (although I am not part of the business directly) I do however benefit from having my own system rediculously over modified and I get to listen to all of the new stuff virtually as soon as it is built so I have a lot of fun with it all.
That said, I have auditioned the 25 Basic in my own system, it is open honest and detailed. It simply plays good music without airs or graces.
The only drawback is that some (who are acustomed to far more expensive exotica) may find it ever so slightly brash (forward sounding). That is just me being honest. But at this price point it will not be beaten by almost anything either new or second hand.
Even a well sorted second hand Super Micro will cost you that money and even then you may need to spend £100 or so to get it serviced by Glenn.
I have seen your other posts and know that you are fairly new to this crazy game. I think I can steer you in the direction of a Micro 25 Basic with a clear conscience (and not many of the Sharks in this industry have one of those, ask the ex Naim boyz and they will tell you).
Partner the 25 Basic with a £700 Series 7 power amp and you will have a combo that you may end up using for a considerable time. And all for a very reasonable £1050 (Nordost will have you spend that on an interconnect).
You can do a lot worse, the dealers are on the Croft site. Enjoy the journey.
Matt.
No Mike,Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike Homar
It has a phono too, and a pretty good one at that. Glenn does not like MC. MM only but it makes the deal even sweeter doesn't it?
Matt.
Erm... just a bit!Quote:
makes the deal even sweeter doesn't it?
£350 WITH a built in phono stage sounds like phenomenal VFM to me! :exactly:
Matt, I've yet to hear a good all-valve MC stage! I'm not sure it can be done with acceptable noise levels.
Besides, after my recent discovery of the Shure M3D (see my thread in Analogue Art) I say 'hail hail' to the (quality) MM cartridge! ;)
Marco.
Glenn can build them, and hybrid ones which he was building in the dying days of EA. He has a trick whereby he mixes valves with super fancy JFets. (Micronaut series I think). The MC boys were creaming their pants over them.Quote:
Originally Posted by Marco
But the JFets were a bitch to match in pairs and Glenn doesn't like MC so they aint coming back. You know the drill.
Matt.
Marco, the early Croft SIP preamp (brown casework) I have in the garage has an MC only phono stage and I think Glenn is doing himself a disservice as it sounds great with little noise. Mind you, I haven't used it in years since going solid state, but I'm sure I can find a good home for it.Quote:
Originally Posted by Marco
Matt,
I've been so busy listening to the new Micro Basic and the RIAA phono stage that I haven't got around to posting about it. I haven't got a clue about posting pics, so it's best left to you to do the products justice.
Glenn popped in on Saturday afternoon without much warning and left two cardboard boxes. Inside one was the 'RIAA' (as he's calling it) phono stage at £500 inc VAT. It's a stunningly good MM only (Glenn doesn't do MC's) phono, lifted from the Micro 25 pre and if you can find another as good at this price I'd be surprised.:scratch:
The second box held the Micro Basic pre which sells for £350 inc VAT. Glenn calls this his 'recession busting special' and is a re-working of the original Micro which sold by the lorry (rusty Porsche) load back in the 80's. This was a real eye opener back then, when we used to put it up against all comers. I remember a rep coming round with a new 'super' pre which he enthused about for an hour or so - it was the doggies but, to cut a long story short, we sold him a Micro for his own system.:lol:
The Micro Basic is a real winner and I've heard inferior pre's at £2K, so it's no slouch. It comes in the same box as the Micro 25 and the only exterior difference are the plastic knobs - a nod to the original.:eyebrows: The phono section is MM only and sounds brilliant - pacey, clean, dynamic,communicative. The wiring is all hand done, hard wired and immaculate.
How does Glenn do it for the money ? Why does Glenn do it for the money ?
Many other designers would put it in a fancy box and charge £1500 for the privalege but Glenn just wants as many as possible to enjoy his wares.
Nice one Glenn.:gig:
Hmmm... I think I need one of these. :eyebrows:
I was going to build my own but at that price I'm starting to think; "why bother?" :confused:
Only thing is, I don't need a phono section as I have one I'm rather fond of already.
But hey, what the hell!
Mikey, welcome to the wonderful world of Croft!
:mex:
:champagne:
:kiss:
Marco.
But how long would it be till I started meddling with it? :eyebrows:
There's like - bugger all to meddle with and that's the joy.
Glenn's designs are wonderfully simple, using good parts and beautifully hard-wired. There's not a lot to tinker with.:scratch: Though, I have messed about with some bits of wire in the past.
A nice Takman (Seiden) metal-film stepped attenuator could be good... :eyebrows:
;)
Marco.
I tried that line on him Saturday and between the f this, f'ing that I got the impression that Glenn is not going to be swayed by expensive pots. Anyway, you can't expect that in a £350 phono equipped pre.
As you know, Glenn has always excelled at making superb amps for very reasonable prices and this new range continues that tradition. In fact, these very inexpensive products are amongst the most musical he has ever made and I'm knocked out with the results. However, I'm pretty certain that sometime in the future, we will see amps further up the quality ladder (possibly) with expensive pots et al.
David
I'm sure I could find something! :eyebrows:Quote:
Originally Posted by hifi_dave
Sounds good, Dave, and knowing Glenn I can just imagine his reaction! :eyebrows:Quote:
I tried that line on him Saturday and between the f this, f'ing that I got the impression that Glenn is not going to be swayed by expensive pots. Anyway, you can't expect that in a £350 phono equipped pre.
As you know, Glenn has always excelled at making superb amps for very reasonable prices and this new range continues that tradition. In fact, these very inexpensive products are amongst the most musical he has ever made and I'm knocked out with the results. However, I'm pretty certain that sometime in the future, we will see amps further up the quality ladder (possibly) with expensive pots et al.
However, I also know that he's very discerning in terms of ascertaining which components offer superior sonic performance, therefore when he gets around to making the more expensive designs you mention, it simply makes no sense to hobble an otherwise undoubtedly superb preamp with an inferior (in comparison) carbon-based pot like the Alps units he normally uses.
I've had Glenn sitting in my room listening to my system so I know the priorities he values in the presentation of music, therefore I'm confident that I could successfully demonstrate the superiority of the Takman (Seiden) stepped attenuator in two otherwise identical Charisma-X preamps, one fitted with an Alps Black.
Trust me, I know what I'm talking about here: if Glenn heard the effects of this particular pot there's nothing about it he wouldn't like; it simply allows the signal through with greater fidelity. It adds no obvious 'signature', and operationally, it's as smooth as silk and a joy to use - in short, a complete no-brainer! :)
If he doesn't like this one, I promise to parade around Birmingham town centre with a placard saying "I was wrong!" wearing nothing but a pink tutu and a cheeky little grin... :D
Of course, I'll warn all women and children and those of a nervous disposition beforehand :flasher: :uhho:
Marco.
No change there then............apart from the venueQuote:
If he doesn't like this one, I promise to parade around Birmingham town centre with a placard saying "I was wrong!" wearing nothing but a pink tutu and a cheeky little grin...
:DQuote:
Originally Posted by The Grand Wazoo
Hi Dave,Quote:
Originally Posted by hifi_dave
You at Radlett, the guys at Walrus and Adrian at Audioflair all have my full permission to use any of my photography for any marketing you choose.
The RIAA is here http://www.croftacoustics.co.uk/images_09/RIAA_main.jpg
and the Micro Basic is here http://www.croftacoustics.co.uk/images_09/Mic25lrg.jpg (the basic looks surprisingly good with the plastic knobs, don't it)!
I will be doing a load more photo's tomorrow night. I will pop over an email to you to let you have some clean shots for your own site.
As far as the sound... well you know, I know and many others know!:cool: It sometimes feels like I am permanently on the soapbox about it, however it is good to have the support of Marco and the like.
As much as I liked the 25 Basic it was not enough to pry me away from my upgraded Epoch. It has a 600VA PSU in a separate case (weighs a ton) and all the Gucci bits that Glenn could put in it. Along with my recently reworked Twinstar II (well you can just imagine it, how spoilt am I)? Glenn even fiitted the power amp with Eichmann phono imputs (and I know that he will hate that I leaked that one) ;o). Honestly words don't do it justice.
Other people have mentioned wishes for higher spec products?
Well I happen to know that one particular customer/friend of long standing is currently awaiting a pair of Series 7 "version R" monoblocs (completely custom build). Now I really want to hear those before they go out cos I know it's gonna be special.
So Marco and the other serious audiophiles on this board. If you want some serious kit and have got some spare dough to throw at Glenn, the sky really is the limit! But I doubt that the mainstream products will extend much beyond the current range.
regards, Matt.
Marco,Quote:
Originally Posted by Marco
I think Glenn would rather fit your pot than have the general public subjected to you in a pink tutu! That is a scary threat to make! ;)
Whatever you do... don't go to his barbecue! :uhho:
http://img29.imageshack.us/img29/7035/pic25206.jpg
By shian7 at 2009-05-21
TBH, I wish I could stretch to Ian's CX... but if I did that I'd be served a couple of my own, err... 'soft body parts' for tea! :(Quote:
Originally Posted by Marco
Hehehe... Love the pics. I've got a pair of shoes just like that, too, which I normally wear with my Laura Ashley ensemble! :lol: :eyebrows:
If you're genuinely interested in Ian's CX, talk to him about it. You might be surprised what can be arranged ;)
Marco.
Saw that one on fleabay. Why is he selling it?Quote:
Originally Posted by Marco
Matt.
Ian's mate Duncan is a bit of a D.I.Y guru and has designed a superb valve pre with a DAC built-in. See here:
http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?t=2572
So his he's selling his CX to reduce the box count and free-up some cash to fund the purchase of a new valve power amp (like my TD Copper amp).
You should hear that Copper DAC/pre, Matt - it's awesome! I'm sure Glenn would approve (of the sound, anyway! ;))
TBH, I'm shocked no-one's snapped up his CX by now - maybe people just don't appreciate how special it is? :confused:
Marco.
Ian's CX isn't pretty and nor is yours or my Epoch as they all have those big ugly brutish boxes attached to them. My PSU is a lonely thing sat nearly a metre away on its own shelf. I am sure that your average punter is put off by the box.Quote:
Originally Posted by Marco
Me I don't care cos the sound speaks for itself and my system can be as ugly as it wants to be.
Well they can always pay £2000 for a billet box by Chord can't they? If they really are that stupid.
Matt.
Wouldn't bother me in the slightest! ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by matodono1
LOL! It's not supposed to be pretty - it's a bloody PSU, FFS! :mental:
You just plonk it on a shelf, let it do its thing, and forget about it!
The main chassis of the CX with its stainless steel top and sides and acrylic front is none too shabby, I would have thought...
But if people are being that shallow and superficial then there's no hope for them... Shit sounding, 'pretty-boy hi-fi', with ludicrous price tags and a nice 'badge' is all they deserve!! :eyebrows:
Marco.
Very classy actually, if you ask me! :confused:Quote:
Originally Posted by Marco