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Anyone hear a Croft Integrated Amp?

Hi, has anyone heard what the Croft Integrated amplifiers sound like?  I've read a bit about them and am curious since its also on the Stereophile B list. Sounds like it has a lot of promise.  Another part of this is has anyone tried it with Kef ls50s?

I currently run a Peachtree Nova 125 se and am considering an upgrade.
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noromance's avatar
noromance
9,769 posts
 
I have had Croft Micro phone preamps since 1987 and love them. Currently using a 25R with Telefunkens and 5751 and it’s sublime. I’ve not heard the integrated but heard nothing but praise. I have read a review that suggests some higher order distortion than some amps but it makes music. I’d recommend it as a phono integrated if using a turntable. Roll out the JJ tubes for much improved performance over stock.

nordicnorm
313 posts
 
Croft makes very high quality audio gear. I have a Croft RIAA phono preamp in which I’m running Shuguang Custom 12AX7 LS Super Tube Special Edition tubes. The Shuguangs are fast becoming my favourite new production 12AX7 tubes (Psvane 12AX7-TII ’s were my previous favourites) .

I chose Croft because I have a London Decca Super Gold cartridge which is the same cartridge that Glenn Croft uses to voice his preamp.

The Croft RIAA performs head and shoulders above my previous phono stage. Although, since the Doge 8 is both a line and phono stage preamp, a direct comparison may not be completely fair.
noromance's avatar
noromance
9,769 posts
 
@nordicnorm I have a Decca Super Gold too. Glenn Croft told me he'd choose it all day every day over any MC. I have had John Wright upgrade it with a paratrace stylus. No issues with tracking. Again, a great amp for phono.

bdp24's avatar
bdp24
9,788 posts
 

Damn, we should start a Decca Lovers club! I belonged to the Quad Owners club in the 1980’s. Other pre-amps of interest for the cartridge are the K & K and Zesto, the latter having a setting specifically for Londons/Deccas, with resistance and capacitance added.

By the way Ken Kessler of HFN & RR is a Decca/London enthusiast, and also a fan of Croft's work.

smrex13
645 posts
 
I had a Croft Phono Integrated, and sort of wish I had kept it.  I had it paired with the KEF LS50s, and it was a very nice combo.  I can't imagine you can do better for that budget range.  However, keep in mind that the Croft is only 45 wpc into 8 ohms and 50 wpc into 4 ohms, so it's not going to provide extremely high volume with the KEFs.  If you're using a turntable, I don't think there's anything in the under 2k price range that's going to get you close to the Croft's quality, considering that it's got a tubed preamp, SS power section, and a high quality tubed phono stage.  You only need a power cord, phono cable, and speaker cables.  

If you're coming from the Peachtree, I would expect that you find the Croft to be much warmer, more organic and dimensional, and overall more relaxing.  You may find that you lose some detail and have a lower ultimate volume level.  

Just my two cents,Scott  
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