Exclusive pictures of the new amps from Croft!

[symon]

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.

[matodono1]

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,

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.

[Marco]

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,

[matodono1]

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,

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.

[symon]

Hi 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.

Matt, this is exactly the sort of review I am after!

Thanks. Now, where can I find the money and justify spending it on this and not on something else more useful?

[Mike]

Hi Dave,

The new pre-amp now exists, I have just taken the first photo's for the site http://www.croftacoustics.co.uk it is callled the "Micro 25 Basic" and is actually a response to some of the comments both here and on Pink Fish that the £700 Micro 25 wasn't quite budget enough for some.

For the money it is knockout. Not as refined as my own pre but at 10x the money for my own kit I don't hear 10x the sound. The effect is anticipated to be very special and Glenn hopes to sell a fair few. Hope you like the new photo's. I have also released details of the new phono stage (the RIAA). I will be updating the site with all the details over the next couple of days.

Best regards, Matt.

Hi Matt,

I like the the look of that, a very attractive price too!

I presume the basic is line level only?

[Marco]

Matt, this is exactly the sort of review I am after!

Peter,

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

We'll defo need to have a bake-off soon, so will be in touch

Marco.

[matodono1]

Matt, this is exactly the sort of review I am after!

Thanks. Now, where can I find the money and justify spending it on this and not on something else more useful?

Hi 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.

[matodono1]

Hi Matt,

I like the the look of that, a very attractive price too!

I presume the basic is line level only?

No Mike,

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.

[Mike]

makes the deal even sweeter doesn't it?

Erm... just a bit!

£350 WITH a built in phono stage sounds like phenomenal VFM to me!