Anyone know if I can use the tape outs while using the built-in phono input on a Croft 25R pre? Seems like I read you couldn’t on the less expensive phono integrated. |
I can use the tape outs with the phono input on the 25R. Woohooo
Magic is back with 25R/7R and P3ESR speakers. Went full circle. World class and I think I just have stock tubes in this set.
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@autre Sorry, I’ve only had the Croft seperates. First round 25RLS and 7RS. I now have a 25R and 7R and I’m astounded. With a high end source it is just KILLER! I use mine with Harbeth P3ESRs and might have had the first Croft combo with the Kef LS50s or maybe it was Naim. I preferred the Harbeths. More tonally accurate and wasn’t boomy. If i wouldn’t have compared it the P3s, I would have been happy forever with the LS50s. |
@noromance Comparing the new Dynavector P75 IV phono amp (set to MM) to the Croft 25R just used as a MM phono amp via tape out. Highly modded SL-1200/20X2L/Audionote AN-S2 SUT. Phono pre running to SN2 on to P3ESRs. Two REL S/2 subs in stereo.
Well guess what, I’m kind of blown away by the Croft 25R just as a phono pre. Overall, entire system is about perfect now.
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Put some better tubes in the 25R and 7R and now I’m completely blown away! What a dummy I was leaving those JJs in place. Put a NOS Telefunken in the line stage. Wow! Amperex from Holland (red labeled Hammond) tubes in the phono stage. Orange labeled Hammond RCA tubes in the 7R. Trying to figure out if the two 12AX7s in the 7R are driver tubes or if one is a driver tube and one is for power regulation. Going to try some NOS Teslas in the phono stage sockets soon.
Selling the SN2. I can deal with tubes :)
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@noromance
What are you using for your one line stage tube and your two phono tube sockets? Still thinking about getting some NOS Telefunkens for the phono sockets.
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Wrote this long post and Audiogon of course refreshed the page with all its JavaScript and I lost it all. Urghhhhh
So if I had to write a summary of what i just wrote. Thought Rogue headphone amp and Primare amp was better then my 25R/7R but I went of my mind for a bit. Moved NOS Tesla into the 7R. Everybody talks about the Tesla’s in the phono tube sockets but Jeeze, the Tesla’s blow away fhe NOS GE 5751s at least with Harbeth Compact 7s. Wow wow wow. BUT.... I quickly wanted music while doing the switcheroo and just hooked up my P75 Mk. 3 to the 25r. Just shocked. It’s completely world class and I’ve heard the best!. Heck, I just got back from RMAF. Okay. Back to it. I’m sorry. I can’t get the 25Rs phono section to do what I’m hearing. I pulled the NOS Hammond labeled Amperex from Holland and out the JJs back in. It’s better. But with P75 and my SUP-200 SUT and 20X2L, I’m hearing more transparency, more refinement and it’s seems more timeberly correct. Oh using a NOS Telefunken in my line stage socket on the 25R. It made my Hugo 2 and Mirus really shine. I’ll have to get some more Tesla’s and Telefunkens to try in the phono sockets. I knew my vinyl rig was world class thanks to Herb Reichert but now I finally see what he was saying. Just amazing!!! Now I’m asking myself why I just bought the old 72/150/Hicap to try. This beats the Supernait 2 and so many other amps I’ve tried. It’s about synergy. I even tried a Leben CS600! Well I’m sure that would have been amazing with some Devores or Proacs.
Oh, the Audio Note AN-S2 was more organic but the SUP-200 is more refined and has higher resolution as it should at its price. Stacey Kent never sound better.
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@noromance thank you!
Maybe I shouldn’t give up on the Croft quite yet and should buy those Shuguangs and a few more Telefunkens. I had a pair of the Shuguang’s but they are long gone with the Luxman tube integrated. Problem is I’m liking the Rogue Stereo 100 so much with the Croft 25R compared to the 7R. It’s making me want to try a Primaluna or a Rogue preamplifier. Rogue preamps scare me a little because I think Tube regulated power supplies and point to point wiring have real merit. Also it seems Herb Reichart really likes the Rogue Stereo 100 and Primaluna Premium combo. |
I haven’t even experimented with the tubes in the 25R regulation sockets. Stock JJs still in place and that’s maybe a dumb move. Think I’ll swap them out tonight. |
I use to have a VPI Classic 1, ZU DL103, A23 SUT step up. Used it with the Leben phono. Was a pretty killer setup. Really alive and organic. Wish I still had to compare to my SL-1200, SME M2-9, 20X2L, DV SUP-200 SUT, DV P75 Mk. 3.
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I hooked my Primaluna Dialogue Premium preamp to my Croft 7R. I like it. A lot! Harbeth Compact 7s seem to respond great to hybrid tube/mosfet amps as others have said. Wasn’t expecting to like it better then my Rogue Stereo 100. New additions are a Niagara power conditioner, Triode Wire Labs interconnects and power cables. |
Well. On second thought, now I’m liking the little old Sonneteer Campion. Killer. Don’t listen to me. Ha. |
Rogue Stereo 100 amp and Campion integrated are gone and now I’m back to the Primaluna Dialogue Premium Pre/Croft 7R Amp. Just sublime with the Auditorium 23 speakers cables and Triode Wire Labs “Spirit” interconnect. I’m done. Do have some fancy tube in them though. Even tried out a Audio Research VSI-60. Why is it so good. Tube rectification? |
You got it noromance. Primaluna into the 7R and I’m liking it. Have to wire up the speakers out of phase since I’m using a non Croft pre. Like the Mullards in the Primaluna and Siemens in the 7R.
Sorry, I only drink craft Guatemalan or Mexican blend coffee. Well, I had all the equipment and thought I would try different combos over the holidays. |
Thank you. Happy New Year to you all also. Seems like my 7R sounds best when I bump up dynamics with tubes such as the NOS Tesla’s and Siemens. Keep it more romantic in the pre. I tried it both ways.
fjn04, wish I could have tried other cartridges with my 25R like a Decca but the 20X2L/P75/SUP-200 always sounded better. Want to say I like the Primaluna Dialogue Premium just as well as the 25R and I get a remote. Less noise, greater bandwidth/dynamics and more resolution. Just wish I had a mute switch on the unit. |
