Justin & Jerry's Hifi Blog

[DSJR]

I always hated my Croft SIP's two volume controls.

You really do get used to it. I'd prefer two switched attenuators though, but I need 1M ones and they're pretty impossible to find I reckon...

[MartinT]

You could make one, say 22-way rotary with a range switch. With good resistors it would outperform any tracked pot.

[Ali Tait]

Yep,Hi-Fi Collective sell stepped attenuator kits.Choose your own resistors.

[jandl100]

Well, my Chord CPM 2600 integrated amp is 'resting' - and I've plucked up my courage and turned it off, to see if it regains its clinical & bright sound it initially started out with. Some forum members elsewhere are extremely dubious about my claims in this regard!
Anyways, I'll report back on that issue on my Chord amp review thread when I re-insert the Chord at some point.

But at the moment this is my amplification line-up ....



An Eva2 LDR remote-controlled passive pre, an Eastern Electric BBA valve buffer and a Croft Series 5 Mk2S power amp.

.... and I have to say it sounds bloody good.

It doesn't have quite the weight and gravitas of the Chord amp, nor quite its dynamic punch or bass tautness.
But it gains in openness, detail, mid and treble speed and articulation and image focus & 3D soundstage. Not that the Chord is at all bad at any of these things - if audio memory can in any way be relied upon, the Chord is the most musically enjoyable solid state amp I have heard. But there is something about a good valve setup, isn't there! ... and that LDR pre is a mighty transparent device, although I do find it a bit upfront and just too clean without the EE BBA valve buffer in situ.

[jandl100]

Well, the Croft Series 5 has gone.

But here's something that arrived this morning ....



.... an Audio Innovations 500 integrated amp with Sovtek 5881 power and Mullard input toobs. Only an hour or 2 on it so far ... but it sounds very nice indeed with a very fine mm phonostage which I use with a couple of x6 Partridge transformers with for my Orty Rondo Bronze.

I think this will be more of a keeper than the Croft - it has a fuller somewhat less excitable sound that seems rather more musically relaxing so far.

[electric beach]

Hi Jerry

You mentioned that you have (had) a REL Strata 5 sub, I use a Strata 3.

Have you any experience to pass on regarding a speaker cable; I bought the unit used and it didn't come with the REL lead. At the moment it's dear Auntie Andrews 4PR but I prefer solid core for all cables.

Thanks,

[Barry]

Well, the Croft Series 5 has gone.

But here's something that arrived this morning ....



.... an Audio Innovations 500 integrated amp with Sovtek 5881 power and Mullard input toobs. Only an hour or 2 on it so far ... but it sounds very nice indeed with a very fine mm phonostage which I use with a couple of x6 Partridge transformers with for my Orty Rondo Bronze.

I think this will be more of a keeper than the Croft - it has a fuller somewhat less excitable sound that seems rather more musically relaxing so far.

A friend of mine has one of those. Yes they are very nice. Does yours have the input selector switch upgrade?

My friend's AI 500 uses valves obtained from the Chelmer Valve Company (just up the road from me!).

Regards

[jandl100]

Hi Jerry

You mentioned that you have (had) a REL Strata 5 sub, I use a Strata 3.

Have you any experience to pass on regarding a speaker cable; I bought the unit used and it didn't come with the REL lead. At the moment it's dear Auntie Andrews 4PR but I prefer solid core for all cables.

Thanks,

Hi S&V

Yup - nice subs - although I have full range speakers at the moment and don't feel the need for one now.

Must admit that you have asked the wrong person about this! Cable Fan though I am, I have never been able to hear much of a difference between cables on a subwoofer. Maybe it's because I usually use the RCA interconnect connections rather than the speaker cable option? Or maybe it's that with my classical-music leanings, wall-shaking bass is not of much interest and maybe that's where cable differences become important with subs? Dunno!

Anyone else got any experience here?

[jandl100]

A freind of mine has one of those. Yes they are very nice. Does yours have the input selector switch upgrade?

My friend's AI 500 uses valves obtained from the Chelmer Valve Company (just up the road from me!).

Regards

Hi Barry

I'll probably only be keeping this for a couple of months as I have some new speakers on order and I doubt this fine little beastie will drive them - be interesting to find out, though. It certainly drives my Infinity's with enthusiasm. 25WPC? - sounds a lot more! But I guess that's valves for you.

No, I don't think it has the selector upgrade, I'm not sure. I'm thinking of using it as a power amp by going in thru the tape outs and bypassing that gubbins anyway. Do you think that would work?

[DSJR]

Well, the Croft Series 5 has gone.

But here's something that arrived this morning ....



.... an Audio Innovations 500 integrated amp with Sovtek 5881 power and Mullard input toobs. Only an hour or 2 on it so far ... but it sounds very nice indeed with a very fine mm phonostage which I use with a couple of x6 Partridge transformers with for my Orty Rondo Bronze.

I think this will be more of a keeper than the Croft - it has a fuller somewhat less excitable sound that seems rather more musically relaxing so far.

Mega

Hope the cap surrounded by hot resistors has been replaced (must have been by now) and you haven't totally lost the lovely lively treble you gained with the Croft Series V.

No wonder these AI amps were used with screechy Snells. They needed to be IMO The A500 even removed the sssting from some pro-Acs too....

You could at least have got the pre and power amps (First and second?). At least they were more neutral with the relaxation IMO