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Hi everyone,
I just picked up the wonderful Croft Phono Integrated Amp, and I'm looking to try out some new tubes. The unit is a hybrid with the Phono stage gain is provided by two ECC83 (12ax7) by JJ Audio and the line stage gain is provided by one ECC83.
I don't know a lot about tubes, but I would love to try out some NOS tubes, although I'm not opposed to new production either. My system is pretty simple - Marantz turntable, Marantz SA8004 CD/SACD player, and Harbeth P3esr speakers.
Any thoughts would be much appreciated.
Thanks so much,
Scott
Follow Ups:
Scott,Seems like quite a good amp and a bargain to boot. From the review:
"From the Phono Integrated's gold-plated but blessedly non-massive RCA jacks, input signals go straight to a rotary input-selector switch, from which they are ushered to a dual-mono pair of volume pots. Phono-stage gain is provided by a stereo pair of ECC83 (12AX7) dual-triode tubes, made by JJ Audio of Slovakia, while RIAA equalization is applied by passive parts. A third ECC83, using a pair of P9NK50 MOSFETs as a constant-current source, is the voltage amplifier for the output section, which is built around a complementary pair of J162 and K1058 MOSFETs. In the right-rear corner of the Croft amp—as far as one can get from those small-signal tubes—is a simple and very cleanly executed analog power supply, with separate rectifiers for tubes and transistors."
Art Dudley is driving $12,000 DeVore speakers and compares the Croft to a Shindo Cortese. I owned a Cortese and it was the best tube amp I ever heard. I think a well matched pair of the JJECC803s tubes would be an excellent place to start. I can't emphasize enough the 'well matched'. The amp was voiced with JJ tubes. ;-)
Look here: https://www.tubedepot.com/products/jj-ecc803s-hi-performance-12ax7-preamp-vacuum-tube
Enjoy!
Edits: 05/22/15
While I love the Sovtek LPS that Eli recommends, you might also consider the Mullard reissues. I got a pair from Jim McShane to try and they have been in my phonostage for nearly a year now. They are natural and detailed from bass to high treble, and are not overly warm (in my opinion), contrary to what many say about Mullards. I think you'd like either one.
--Jeff
I agree with Eli on the Sovtek LPS for the phono section. Line stage, the JJ ECC803s is a nice tube, a bit on the warm side, and not expensive.
Good NOS is pricey. The current production Sovtek 12AX7LPS is clean and quiet, which makes it an excellent candidate for phono section service. Contact AA sponsor Jim McShane and discuss your needs with him. Honest advice and top notch service are what Jim deals in.
Eli D.
The Sovtec IS clean and quiet, but also harmonicly bleached, dry and bright sounding in my rig. It would be great if I had not heard good NOS tubes but there's no going back. IMO pretty much any good condition NOS (or good testing OS) 12ax7 or 5751 from the 1950s or 1960s will best the Sovtec. You don't have to spend a forture, plenty of US made tubes from GE, RCA, Raytheon and Sylvania available for reasonable prices close to current production.
Try a 5751 they often sound better.
RCA or Raytheon black plates are great (12ax7 or 5751)
Sylvania and GE long grey plates are also good.
Avoid the overrated and overpriced Telefunken and Mullards if your just getting startied.
Lots of info on this site and others.
Enjoy the roll!
N/t
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