Croft 85a2 valve

[dowser]

Thanks Steve, for the money it's worth a punt. And I want to compare with what's in there (when I bought it a few years back I shipped it straight to Glenn to replace the neon reference tube and update OP stage to latest spec - while he changed the phono stage valves too, he was happy with the existing regulator in there).

I need to contact him soon anyway - I want to improve the PSU in my basic unit, and I suspect I'll be better off returning it to him to do the work rather than bodging it myself, I'll add it to the list.

Richard

[basnas]

Hi Marco
Have you recived the 1968 Chelmer-branded Mullards 85a2 ?
Sound compare to the old mullard?
jan

[Marco]

Hi Jan,

I got them the other day, and so will be doing that comparison tomorrow. I'll let you know

Marco.

[Marco]

Hi Jan,

The Chelmers were good, but the old Mullard was notably better and is probably the best sounding 85a2 I've heard, so I'd advise you to try and get some

Marco.

[basnas]

Hi. Yes just recived some mullard 85a2 with vi
Code 3p3a. Is there a link to some Info about the code ?

[dowser]

I fitted the one I ordered today - certainly doesn't sound worse, I'll leave it in a few weeks and then swap back to get a better idea.

Thanks.

Richard.

[worrasf]

In the S4 if you change an 85a2 the amp needs rebiasing
Steve

[Jimbo]

Hi Marco,

your valve experience is required mate. Apart from the Mullard valve 85A2 did you find any others that were particularly good in the voltage reg stage of the Croft?

[Marco]

Only just seen this post, Jim! If you'd like my advice like this in future, just PM me, as these days I simply don't have time to read everything that's posted here

Anyway, the answer is yes - this:

English Electric ones from Colomor Valves:



Details here (89 more available, so plenty in stock): http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/3707918656...%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Turns out this company has some history and were taken over by GEC in 1968, see here: http://www.radiomuseum.org/dsp_herst...ompany_id=8417 The valves themselves are fully NOS, and come beautifully packaged in their original boxes. I suspect that they're 1970s vintage.

Anyway, how do they sound? In a word: wonderful!

In comparison with the NOS Sylvania CV449 I was using beforehand, the English Electric produced a notably more open and 'liquid' midrange, with gorgeous tonal textures and increased detail retrieval. Furthermore, the soundstage/imaging of the Croft seems to have become even more 'widescreen' than before, with music, and particular female vocals, now enveloped in a 'cavernous chasm of clarity', thus increasing their 'intimacy' and believability accordingly.

Honestly, for £6 this is an instantaneous quick, cheap, and very effective tweak for all Croft preamps featuring the use of this particular voltage regulator valve. Highly recommended!

Marco.

[Jimbo]

Only just seen this post, Jim! If you'd like my advice like this in future, just PM me, as these days I simply don't have time to read everything that's posted here

Anyway, the answer is yes - this:

English Electric ones from Colomor Valves:



Details here (89 more available, so plenty in stock): http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/3707918656...%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Turns out this company has some history and were taken over by GEC in 1968, see here: http://www.radiomuseum.org/dsp_herst...ompany_id=8417 The valves themselves are fully NOS, and come beautifully packaged in their original boxes. I suspect that they're 1970s vintage.

Anyway, how do they sound? In a word: wonderful!

In comparison with the NOS Sylvania CV449 I was using beforehand, the English Electric produced a notably more open and 'liquid' midrange, with gorgeous tonal textures and increased detail retrieval. Furthermore, the soundstage/imaging of the Croft seems to have become even more 'widescreen' than before, with music, and particular female vocals, now enveloped in a 'cavernous chasm of clarity', thus increasing their 'intimacy' and believability accordingly.

Honestly, for £6 this is an instantaneous quick, cheap, and very effective tweak for all Croft preamps featuring the use of this particular voltage regulator valve. Highly recommended!

Marco.

Cheers Marco, I will have a look if I have one of those as Glenn kindly sent me a bag of 85A2 valves to try so there maybe one in there. So far I have tried a Mullard and a Siemans which were both excellent.