Alien Entity
Location: North East UK
Posts: 6,358
I'm InSpace.
I'm sure I could find something!Originally Posted by hifi_dave
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.Though, I have messed about with some bits of wire in the past.
Shian7
--------------------------------------------------------
Kudakutemo
kudakutemo
ari mizu-no tsuki
Though it be be broken -
broken again - still it's there:
the moon on the water.
- Choshu.
Site Owner/Administrator
Location: Wrexham, North Wales, UK
Posts: 110,521
I'm AudioAl'sArbiterForPISHANTO.
Sounds good, Dave, and knowing Glenn I can just imagine his reaction!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...
Of course, I'll warn all women and children and those of a nervous disposition beforehand
Marco.
Main System
Turntable: Heavily-modified Technics SL-1210MK5G [Mike New bearing/ETP platter/Paul Hynes SR7 PSU & regulator mods]. Funk Firm APM Achromat with Nagaoka GL-601 Crystal Record Weight. Isonoe feet & boots. Ortofon RS-212D tonearm with Denon DL-103GL, in a Denon PCL-300 headshell, fitted with Funk Firm Houdini and Kondo SL-115 pure-silver cartridge leads.
Paul Hynes MC head amp/SR5 PSU. Also modded Lentek head amp and Denon AU-310 SUT.
Other Cartridges: Nippon Columbia (NOS 1987) Denon DL-103. USA-made Shure SC35C with NOS stylus. Goldring G820 with NOS stylus. Shure M55E with NOS stylus.
CD Player: Audiocom-modified Sony X-777ES/DAS-R1 DAC.
Tape Deck: Tandberg TCD 310, fully restored and recalibrated as new by RDE, plus upgraded with heads from the TCD-420a. Also with matching TM4 Norway microphones.
Preamps: Heavily-modified Croft Charisma-X. Power Amps: Tube Distinctions Copper Amp, fitted with Tungsol KT-150s. Quad 306.
Cables & Sundries: Mark Grant HDX1 interconnects and digital coaxial cable, plus Mark Grant 6mm UP-LCOFC Van Damme speaker cable. MCRU 'Ultimate' mains leads. Lehmann clone headphone amp with vintage Koss PRO-4AAA headphones.
Tube Distinctions digital noise filter. VPI HW16.5 record cleaning machine.
Speakers: Tannoy 15MGs in Lockwood cabinets with modified crossovers. 1967 Celestion Ditton 15.
Banned
Location: Lancaster(-ish), UK
Posts: 16,936
I'm ChrisB.
No change there then............apart from the venueIf 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...
Alien Entity
Location: North East UK
Posts: 6,358
I'm InSpace.
Shian7
--------------------------------------------------------
Kudakutemo
kudakutemo
ari mizu-no tsuki
Though it be be broken -
broken again - still it's there:
the moon on the water.
- Choshu.
Trade: The Funk Firm
Location: Birmingham, Midlands, United Kingdom.
Posts: 151
I'm Matt.
Hi Dave,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.
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.
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.
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!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.
Last edited by matodono1; 22-05-2009 at 02:46.
Trade: The Funk Firm
Location: Birmingham, Midlands, United Kingdom.
Posts: 151
I'm Matt.
Marco,
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...
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!
Alien Entity
Location: North East UK
Posts: 6,358
I'm InSpace.
Whatever you do... don't go to his barbecue!
By shian7 at 2009-05-21
Shian7
--------------------------------------------------------
Kudakutemo
kudakutemo
ari mizu-no tsuki
Though it be be broken -
broken again - still it's there:
the moon on the water.
- Choshu.
Alien Entity
Location: North East UK
Posts: 6,358
I'm InSpace.
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!Mikey, welcome to the wonderful world of Croft!
Marco.
Last edited by Mike; 22-05-2009 at 03:58.
Shian7
--------------------------------------------------------
Kudakutemo
kudakutemo
ari mizu-no tsuki
Though it be be broken -
broken again - still it's there:
the moon on the water.
- Choshu.
Site Owner/Administrator
Location: Wrexham, North Wales, UK
Posts: 110,521
I'm AudioAl'sArbiterForPISHANTO.
Hehehe... Love the pics. I've got a pair of shoes just like that, too, which I normally wear with my Laura Ashley ensemble!
If you're genuinely interested in Ian's CX, talk to him about it. You might be surprised what can be arranged
Marco.
Main System
Turntable: Heavily-modified Technics SL-1210MK5G [Mike New bearing/ETP platter/Paul Hynes SR7 PSU & regulator mods]. Funk Firm APM Achromat with Nagaoka GL-601 Crystal Record Weight. Isonoe feet & boots. Ortofon RS-212D tonearm with Denon DL-103GL, in a Denon PCL-300 headshell, fitted with Funk Firm Houdini and Kondo SL-115 pure-silver cartridge leads.
Paul Hynes MC head amp/SR5 PSU. Also modded Lentek head amp and Denon AU-310 SUT.
Other Cartridges: Nippon Columbia (NOS 1987) Denon DL-103. USA-made Shure SC35C with NOS stylus. Goldring G820 with NOS stylus. Shure M55E with NOS stylus.
CD Player: Audiocom-modified Sony X-777ES/DAS-R1 DAC.
Tape Deck: Tandberg TCD 310, fully restored and recalibrated as new by RDE, plus upgraded with heads from the TCD-420a. Also with matching TM4 Norway microphones.
Preamps: Heavily-modified Croft Charisma-X. Power Amps: Tube Distinctions Copper Amp, fitted with Tungsol KT-150s. Quad 306.
Cables & Sundries: Mark Grant HDX1 interconnects and digital coaxial cable, plus Mark Grant 6mm UP-LCOFC Van Damme speaker cable. MCRU 'Ultimate' mains leads. Lehmann clone headphone amp with vintage Koss PRO-4AAA headphones.
Tube Distinctions digital noise filter. VPI HW16.5 record cleaning machine.
Speakers: Tannoy 15MGs in Lockwood cabinets with modified crossovers. 1967 Celestion Ditton 15.
Trade: The Funk Firm
Location: Birmingham, Midlands, United Kingdom.
Posts: 151
I'm Matt.
Saw that one on fleabay. Why is he selling it?Hehehe... Love the pics. I've got a pair of shoes just like that, too, which I normally wear with my Laura Ashley ensemble!
If you're genuinely interested in Ian's CX, talk to him about it. You might be surprised what can be arranged
Marco.
Matt.
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