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Thread: Croft 25R upgrade advice please

  1. #1
    Join Date: Aug 2011

    Location: Nottingham

    Posts: 575
    I'm Ian.

    Default Croft 25R upgrade advice please

    Hi,

    First of all I hope all AoS-ers are well, I’m not a frequent poster these days as I tend to have strayed from the upgrade path and am far less active in the box side of the hobby as such. I’m posting now as I know there’s much Croft enthusiasm on the AoS and it was indeed this forum that put me onto his gear some years ago when it was unknown to me (shame !) for which I’ve always been grateful.

    Anyway, I weakened and speculatively emailed GC asking about possible 25R upgrades and he helpfully responded with two possible options…….There are some parts upgrades that can be done – resistors and capacitors. Then you could add the 25RS separate power supply box.

    I just wondered if anyone had a view on/any experience of which of these would be the more worthwhile. Admittedly I have the option of leaving all well alone as it’s a superb pre, but y’know

    My system is as follows:
    Croft 25R/7
    Redford STA 25 sometimes
    Harbeth P3ESR
    Project Classic tt/Goldring 1042 cart
    Quad CDP2

    Since the cart upgrade I tend to mostly play records

    Thanks !

  2. #2
    Audio Al is offline Pishanto Specialist & Super-Daftee
    Join Date: May 2012

    Location: Dagenham Essex

    Posts: 11,215
    I'm Allen.

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by IHP View Post
    Hi,

    First of all I hope all AoS-ers are well, I’m not a frequent poster these days as I tend to have strayed from the upgrade path and am far less active in the box side of the hobby as such. I’m posting now as I know there’s much Croft enthusiasm on the AoS and it was indeed this forum that put me onto his gear some years ago when it was unknown to me (shame !) for which I’ve always been grateful.

    Anyway, I weakened and speculatively emailed GC asking about possible 25R upgrades and he helpfully responded with two possible options…….There are some parts upgrades that can be done – resistors and capacitors. Then you could add the 25RS separate power supply box.

    I just wondered if anyone had a view on/any experience of which of these would be the more worthwhile. Admittedly I have the option of leaving all well alone as it’s a superb pre, but y’know

    My system is as follows:
    Croft 25R/7
    Redford STA 25 sometimes
    Harbeth P3ESR
    Project Classic tt/Goldring 1042 cart
    Quad CDP2

    Since the cart upgrade I tend to mostly play records Good man

    Thanks !
    I have a 25R and have not had a need to upgrade
    [

  3. #3
    Join Date: Jan 2013

    Location: Birmingham

    Posts: 6,772
    I'm James.

    Default

    The ultimate upgrade would be to have the RIAA RS phono stage implemented in the 25R box and have the line stage change to the RS, then have all the power supply in another and maybe have this dual mono?
    Main system : VPI Scout 1.1 / JMW 9T / 2M Black / Croft 25R+ / Croft 7 / Heco Celan GT 702

    Second System : Goldring Lenco GL75 / AT95EX / Pioneer SX590 / Spendor SP2

  4. #4
    Join Date: Aug 2011

    Location: Nottingham

    Posts: 575
    I'm Ian.

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Audio Al View Post
    I have a 25R and have not had a need to upgrade
    Indeed, this remains an option !

  5. #5
    Join Date: Aug 2011

    Location: Nottingham

    Posts: 575
    I'm Ian.

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Jimbo View Post
    The ultimate upgrade would be to have the RIAA RS phono stage implemented in the 25R box and have the line stage change to the RS, then have all the power supply in another and maybe have this dual mono?
    Now that would be wonderful to hear but I fear beyond my budget ;-)

  6. #6
    Join Date: Aug 2009

    Location: West Yorkshire

    Posts: 1,796
    I'm Stephen.

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by IHP View Post
    Hi,

    First of all I hope all AoS-ers are well, I’m not a frequent poster these days as I tend to have strayed from the upgrade path and am far less active in the box side of the hobby as such. I’m posting now as I know there’s much Croft enthusiasm on the AoS and it was indeed this forum that put me onto his gear some years ago when it was unknown to me (shame !) for which I’ve always been grateful.

    Anyway, I weakened and speculatively emailed GC asking about possible 25R upgrades and he helpfully responded with two possible options…….There are some parts upgrades that can be done – resistors and capacitors. Then you could add the 25RS separate power supply box.

    I just wondered if anyone had a view on/any experience of which of these would be the more worthwhile. Admittedly I have the option of leaving all well alone as it’s a superb pre, but y’know

    My system is as follows:
    Croft 25R/7
    Redford STA 25 sometimes
    Harbeth P3ESR
    Project Classic tt/Goldring 1042 cart
    Quad CDP2

    Since the cart upgrade I tend to mostly play records

    Thanks !
    Obviously, you could just stay with the vanilla 25R. If you do decide to "upgrade" then from personal experience moving to the 25RS would likely be more audible than changing a few components in the 25R. Having gone from a 25R to an RS (upgraded the original like you are contemplating) it's not a night and day difference - a bit more control and detail but the overall sound and presentation (in my system anyway) was pretty similar.
    With regards to going for the 2-box Croft RIAA as James suggested I have no experience of this route. However, I have recently installed a Tom Evans Microgroove plus Mk2 phono amp into the line stage and I have to say the difference between it and the native 25RS phono stage is night and day. Truly amazing dynamics and soundstage with detail I had never heard before on virtually every album I've played.

    TBH, the Microgroove is awaiting the return of my uber upgraded Pioneer A300R (Thursday) as I mainly use a Decca Supergold with the Crofts.

    So I guess what I'm saying is if at all possible try and get to listen to a 25RS against your 25R and if you are seduced by Jame's suggestion I'd really want to listen to one first before punting 1500 sovs.

    You are a bit of a trek from me otherwise you could have a loan of my 25RS to see what you think>

    Steve
    Always a little further

  7. #7
    Join Date: Jan 2013

    Location: Birmingham

    Posts: 6,772
    I'm James.

    Default

    My suggestion was based on an upgrade someone on this site has had done to his 25R and indeed it is one that I have asked Glenn to do for myself when funds allow. It is an effective way of getting the best out of a 25R without going down a 4 box route.

    Just for reference that would be a 25RS separate power supply (2 boxes) and a RIAA RS (2 more boxes )!
    Main system : VPI Scout 1.1 / JMW 9T / 2M Black / Croft 25R+ / Croft 7 / Heco Celan GT 702

    Second System : Goldring Lenco GL75 / AT95EX / Pioneer SX590 / Spendor SP2

  8. #8
    Join Date: Aug 2011

    Location: Nottingham

    Posts: 575
    I'm Ian.

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by worrasf View Post
    Obviously, you could just stay with the vanilla 25R. If you do decide to "upgrade" then from personal experience moving to the 25RS would likely be more audible than changing a few components in the 25R. Having gone from a 25R to an RS (upgraded the original like you are contemplating) it's not a night and day difference - a bit more control and detail but the overall sound and presentation (in my system anyway) was pretty similar.
    With regards to going for the 2-box Croft RIAA as James suggested I have no experience of this route. However, I have recently installed a Tom Evans Microgroove plus Mk2 phono amp into the line stage and I have to say the difference between it and the native 25RS phono stage is night and day. Truly amazing dynamics and soundstage with detail I had never heard before on virtually every album I've played.

    TBH, the Microgroove is awaiting the return of my uber upgraded Pioneer A300R (Thursday) as I mainly use a Decca Supergold with the Crofts.

    So I guess what I'm saying is if at all possible try and get to listen to a 25RS against your 25R and if you are seduced by Jame's suggestion I'd really want to listen to one first before punting 1500 sovs.

    You are a bit of a trek from me otherwise you could have a loan of my 25RS to see what you think>

    Steve
    Thanks Steve and that's an incredibly generous offer to loan me some serious hi fi !

  9. #9
    Join Date: Aug 2011

    Location: Nottingham

    Posts: 575
    I'm Ian.

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Jimbo View Post
    My suggestion was based on an upgrade someone on this site has had done to his 25R and indeed it is one that I have asked Glenn to do for myself when funds allow. It is an effective way of getting the best out of a 25R without going down a 4 box route.

    Just for reference that would be a 25RS separate power supply (2 boxes) and a RIAA RS (2 more boxes )!
    Again thanks James, any idea of the cost of the work you mention ? PM if you feel it more appropriate ;-)

  10. #10
    Join Date: Jan 2013

    Location: Birmingham

    Posts: 6,772
    I'm James.

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by IHP View Post
    Again thanks James, any idea of the cost of the work you mention ? PM if you feel it more appropriate ;-)
    I have had a quote but it may not be what you would be quoted so I best not say but ask Glenn himself, you maybe surprised. I think the chap who had his 25R taken to the level I suggested was Fiddlemaker. He was more than pleased with the upgrade.
    Main system : VPI Scout 1.1 / JMW 9T / 2M Black / Croft 25R+ / Croft 7 / Heco Celan GT 702

    Second System : Goldring Lenco GL75 / AT95EX / Pioneer SX590 / Spendor SP2

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