Which CROFT pre-amp?

Cracking debate. Too much to comment on at the moment as I'm running a clinic at the moment and just having a tea break. I'll be back later this afternoon. Thanks for all the input so far.

The other advantage of buying an old Epoch Elite or Charisma-X is that you get cases, such as these:


http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...910/koQWhK.jpg


http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...913/auzYAj.jpg


...to house everything in, as opposed to a somewhat nondescript looking black box! ;)

Marco.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Marco

The other advantage of buying an old Epoch Elite or Charisma-X is that you get cases, such as ... :

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...913/auzYAj.jpg


...to house everything in, as opposed to a somewhat nondescript looking black box! ;)

Marco.

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It would look better IMO for both knobs to be the same size.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Barry

It would look better IMO for both knobs to be the same size.

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Indeed. Luckily, I don't use them anymore... They've been replaced with something nicer, along with what's behind, being controlled by them, suitably upgraded! ;)

Therefore, the input selector switch is a Seiden, and the volume controller, a DACT stepped attenuator :)

Marco.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by The Black Adder

In a stock, none updated state these pre's do drag their heels in places... but with a full update as mentioned by Marco, even if it's just the regulation update they start to then pick up the pace and level the playing field.

There is nothing wrong with the current versions either, I've heard the 25R and RS now and they are stonkingly good. Even the RS has lot's of room for improvement too! But they are a different flavor to the octal types to which I was hooked as soon as I heard mine.

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Yup, that's it in a nutshell :)

Marco.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Marco

Yup, that's it in a nutshell :)

Marco.

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What is the different flavour - strawberry or chocolate?:)

The current Crofts have a zesty lemon & lime tang, whereas the older ones smack of delicious caramel and chocolate! :D

Marco.

Ok I know where your coming from now. Good job I like both although I would prefer caramel and chocolate.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Marco

The other advantage of buying an old Epoch Elite or Charisma-X is that you get cases, such as these:


http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...910/koQWhK.jpg


http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...913/auzYAj.jpg


...to house everything in, as opposed to a somewhat nondescript looking black box! ;)

Marco.

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I'd take the current black box any time to the bling or for that matter, most amps out there. No idea why current Croft gets such a hard time in terms of looks. They are clean and understated. I also prefer to listen rather than look at my amps, and am glad Glenn chooses to spend money where it matters. The thing that struck me with the 25 Basic was how simple the circuit looked, and the sound pretty much reflects this - fresh and immediate. Not perfect by any means but it gets to the heart of the music.

Early and current Croft products use functional casework to reduce costs. The internal circuitry is where the money goes and it shows with unbeatable sound for your Pound.

The middle period Croft, usually built by his 'distributor', placed emphasis on bling.