Post by Bigman80 on Apr 17, 2021 11:07:34 GMT
Dubbed the Croft Series V Plus, due to some modifications that have taken place at Glenn Croft's hands:
Fixed bias output stage with bias supply from a separate transformer
Modified front end direct coupled to an improved long taied pair phased splitter both using different valves
New HT Caps
Upgraded resistors
Modified HT Reg
Modified feedback circuit
How to make a good first impression:
As with most things containing a few valves, warm up time is essential. For this mini beast (and it 14 valves!) an hour seems to be the point where the bottom end fills out, the veil starts to lift and the HF starts to extend.
The V runs quite warm and with the metal cover on, i felt it was getting a little too warm so i removed it. Not safe for children at all as that 6080 gets really hot. So if you haven't got kids, cats or anything that doesnt like getting a burn….leave the cover on.
Valves are a key ingredient to the flavour here and with 8x el86, 3x ECC82, 1x ECC83, 1x 6080 and 1x 85A2 required, replacing them all isn’t gonna be cheap!
The Chinese el86 valves that were provided with this amp are, in a word, Sh#t. For those of us who don't want to be violated when looking for decent valves, our attention must turn to THE MOTHERLAND.
Unfortunately the Russians didn’t make an alternative to the ECC82, of which the Croft requires 3, but they did make a bloody good el86 alternative. The 6P14P is a military grade valve, with higher rated versions indicated with a -K or -EV.
I always pick the -EV designation and if the -EV-OS is available, don’t hesitate. These are the best of the best. Also the -K may not be entirely the same valve!
Luckily for me, this came with a matched octet of 6P14P, but i will be replacing them with 6P14P-EV….there is no -OS version. Shame that.
For the ECC82 position, my heart desired a triplet of matched and balanced Radio Technique valves. But at £45 a piece + VAT+P&P, i couldn’t bring myself to launch the funds for them. Maybe if things continue the way they are I may plumb for a pair later down the line. They are quite a special valve. 3x Telefunken required a remortgage.
I opted for a valve that had caught my eye. I have a thing for Japanese valves so a Toshiba 12AU7 was on the radar. 3 for £49.00...SOLD! Made in the 50’s in Japan….it’s older than me by a good 30 years….i just hope it is in better shape than me lol
The ECC83 has been replaced by a Vintage NOS Sovtek LPS. I have had these tucked away for a rainy day such as this and replacing the JJ valve instantly removed a layer of veil. Great result, and what's better is they are dirt cheap. £20 for two! Unfortunately, it seems it wasnt balanced. Dropped the other in and it’s on point now.
One thing to mention is that there is a report somewhere that the V was supplied with a 2 core power cable, obviously meaning there is no ground to the chassis. It relies on the owner knowing this and attaching an external one to a partnering piece of equipment. With 350vdc inside, this is unacceptable IMO. Looks like mine may have been done with 3-core, but i will likely fit a proper IEC inlet if I can fit one in easily. If not, I will be fitting some shielded 3-core cable. BUYER BEWARE!!
So while i await for a price on the 8x 6P14P-EV, i thought i had better give this a listen:
Current Valve compliment:
8x 6N14P
3x JJ ECC82
1x Sovtek ECC83
1x Phillips 85A2
1x CVC 6080
All listening via Soekris 1421/Novafidelity N15D/AWM-BT2 preamp/Yamaha NS1000M and left for 60 minutes before critical listening impressions were recorded.
Afrocubism - Guantanamera
This is a really well recorded album, but this track in particular gives me a lot to listen for.
The multilayered acoustic guitars and other stringed African instruments have to both remain separated and also gel together to keep the track flowing.
The V deals with this track very easily. Theres a lot of sustain and interaction from instruments, but it manages to keep everything focussed and never loses the separation. Fluidity is good and the the intricacies of the playing techniques of each musician is easily audible.
Tonality is very good and there is a lot of texture. Dynamics between quieter and louder passages are good. There is a deft touch at times. Not easy to do!
Paul Weller - Brand New Start
Weller is front and Center and the slight gravel in his vocals is starltingly lifelike. Vocals on the V are somewhat of a speciality I feel.
The bass is hefty…..and deep!
Again, I am surprised by just how transparent this amplifier is. Little nuances I had only found through the 686 are apparent. That could be because i now know they are there but i think that's being a little cynical. I like to think I would notice their absence.
Guitars are particularly textured and the playing style again comes to the fore. I am impressed so far.
Ray Lamontagne - Burn
I LOVE this guy…..his songwriting on this album is as good as anything any human could ever hope to write, and as his vocal begins i am covered in goosebumps. Honestly...it feels like they are on my eyelids!
THIS is what valves were made for. It’s not a masterful recording, in fact it’s bass heavy but this track mainlines into your soul and the croft V seems to do this with an almost merciless assault.
I spend the next hour listening to this album from start to finish and don’t bother writing a word. If you don’t own a copy….BUY IT
Thinking back over the last hour, my overriding thought is of how i was in the music...int the tracks...in the stories hes telling. On the journey through the album….Thats what us audiophiles seem to forget sometimes. The equipment is for listening to the music. The music isn't for listening to the equipment!
Right, that’ll do for today….more later.
17/4/21:
Just been offered a really nice deal on some Matched NOS 6P14P-EV from my Russian connection. I have happily snapped them up.
Part 2:
Valve Compliment:
8x 6N14P
3x NOS GE ECC82
1x Sovtek ECC83
1x Phillips 85A2
1x Raytheon NOS 6080
So Whilst I await a delivery of the new 6P14P-EV valves, my replacement Raytheon 6080 arrived and so did a triplet of GE ECC82. A picking error at Langrex meant I never received the aforementioned Toshiba valves, but it seems to have been a touch of luck as the GE valves are impressive.
Since the first part of the review, I have done about 10-15 hours of listening. Yes, I have been pretty taken in by it, so those hours has passed in the blink of an eye.
Truth is, I hadn't managed to really identify what it was doing that I liked, or to be able to reliably pinpoint the differences between the Neurochrome 686. I needed to find a weakness, or a difference and until yesterday I was struggling. The best advice in that scenario is to throw the old amp back in, so that's what I did. The 686 was fired up, and I played a lot of the same material. The differences stood out immediately.
Everything the Croft can do, it does really well. The sound is huge, I mean huge. Instruments and vocals are bold, clear and painted vividly. It never strays from tonal accuracy, never adds a bloom or midrange hump to anything either, which has really impressed me. That almost halo effect i have heard from valve gear is also absent. The detail is excellent, it delivers holography and at times an ethereal presentation BUT....it does have a couple of minor differences, and one larger one.
The Croft's minor niggles are in the HF detail. Listening to Sera Una Noche's "Taquito Millitar" revealed the Chime/bell was not as defined in its own space and at times was inaudible. The Cymbals on Dusty Springfield's Son of a Preacher Man were not the driving force of rhythmic change as they are on the 686. As I listened to more tracks, I became more confident that the 686 did a better job of the HF, from a "warts an all" approach. Did the music suffer from these differences? - I don't think so.
However, there was another discovery whilst listening to these tracks. Where the 686 excels (IMHO) is in its ability to organise the soundstage. It clearly defines the position of each piece in the soundstage but also due to its abilities, it can also demonstrate the relative positions in the recording. A bass drum being mixed to sound like it came from further away actually conveys in the system. It comes from further back. This doesn't happen with the Croft V.
Taquito Militar is probably the best track I have for this test, and it became obvious when I played it. There is a section where the group are playing drums of different sizes in different locations in the room. This has been confirmed BTW, I am not talking about mixing...it actually happened that way.
With the 686, you hear everything. The changes of techniques between player, the different sizes of drum, the differences in how hard each one is being hit, the distance from the mic in the recording space, the relative location in the room to each other (soundstage) and also the size of the room they are in. That last one is of course relative to the size I can generate in my room, which isn't massive. However, most of that, if not all, is not available via the Croft V. The drums appear at the speaker, as if they are close mic'd, the amount of acoustic cues of the recording space is minimal, and it leaves a very different sounding replay. One that loses the "recorded in an old church" feel....which it was BTW.
The Croft may lose out in that area to an amplifier that if commercially available may challenge anything up to £10k. But in terms of liquidity, fluidity, holography, texture, tone.....there really isn't anything I have heard that does it any more satisfactorily than the Croft. It's a very lucid amp with the ability to pull goosebumps up out of nowhere with material I must have heard thousands of times. It puts a person in the system, not just a recording and best of all, it's just a fantastic bit of kit that I would challenge anyone not to enjoy.
The Croft Series V made me rethink what is important about HIFI kit and its role in our systems. What we want from the kit is very specific to each one of us. I can't depart from the 686, because it does everything I want it to. It's fluid enough, its detailed enough, it's bold enough, it sounds big enough...you get the idea. The one thing I think I realised most is how much attention the 686 requires from you. You HAVE to listen intently, as there is so much being pulled out and put in front of you. I don't tend to just put on some music and float away, I am analysing, picking out details, bits of info and whatever else and i LOVE the amplifier for that. It's an experience, not just a listen. If like me, you need a system that you can plug things into for evaluation and have utter confidence in the gear to not get in the way, the 686 is better suited IMO.
Listening via the V seems to become a largely "appreciative of the songs" type of affair. Being sucked out of your own awareness and taken into the music. Many times in the last few days, I have lost maybe an hour or so because I have been completely "in" what I was listening to, and that my friends is probably the best recommendation for anything.
I am not done with the Croft. A recap, new binding posts, New RCA sockets, New valves on the way and maybe some better wiring on the inside to see if it can reach the next level are all planned. I really consider the V as one of the best finds i have had in HIFI.
If you see one, have a go with it.
Honestly, it's hard not to love it.
Fixed bias output stage with bias supply from a separate transformer
Modified front end direct coupled to an improved long taied pair phased splitter both using different valves
New HT Caps
Upgraded resistors
Modified HT Reg
Modified feedback circuit
How to make a good first impression:
As with most things containing a few valves, warm up time is essential. For this mini beast (and it 14 valves!) an hour seems to be the point where the bottom end fills out, the veil starts to lift and the HF starts to extend.
The V runs quite warm and with the metal cover on, i felt it was getting a little too warm so i removed it. Not safe for children at all as that 6080 gets really hot. So if you haven't got kids, cats or anything that doesnt like getting a burn….leave the cover on.
Valves are a key ingredient to the flavour here and with 8x el86, 3x ECC82, 1x ECC83, 1x 6080 and 1x 85A2 required, replacing them all isn’t gonna be cheap!
The Chinese el86 valves that were provided with this amp are, in a word, Sh#t. For those of us who don't want to be violated when looking for decent valves, our attention must turn to THE MOTHERLAND.
Unfortunately the Russians didn’t make an alternative to the ECC82, of which the Croft requires 3, but they did make a bloody good el86 alternative. The 6P14P is a military grade valve, with higher rated versions indicated with a -K or -EV.
I always pick the -EV designation and if the -EV-OS is available, don’t hesitate. These are the best of the best. Also the -K may not be entirely the same valve!
Luckily for me, this came with a matched octet of 6P14P, but i will be replacing them with 6P14P-EV….there is no -OS version. Shame that.
For the ECC82 position, my heart desired a triplet of matched and balanced Radio Technique valves. But at £45 a piece + VAT+P&P, i couldn’t bring myself to launch the funds for them. Maybe if things continue the way they are I may plumb for a pair later down the line. They are quite a special valve. 3x Telefunken required a remortgage.
I opted for a valve that had caught my eye. I have a thing for Japanese valves so a Toshiba 12AU7 was on the radar. 3 for £49.00...SOLD! Made in the 50’s in Japan….it’s older than me by a good 30 years….i just hope it is in better shape than me lol
The ECC83 has been replaced by a Vintage NOS Sovtek LPS. I have had these tucked away for a rainy day such as this and replacing the JJ valve instantly removed a layer of veil. Great result, and what's better is they are dirt cheap. £20 for two! Unfortunately, it seems it wasnt balanced. Dropped the other in and it’s on point now.
One thing to mention is that there is a report somewhere that the V was supplied with a 2 core power cable, obviously meaning there is no ground to the chassis. It relies on the owner knowing this and attaching an external one to a partnering piece of equipment. With 350vdc inside, this is unacceptable IMO. Looks like mine may have been done with 3-core, but i will likely fit a proper IEC inlet if I can fit one in easily. If not, I will be fitting some shielded 3-core cable. BUYER BEWARE!!
So while i await for a price on the 8x 6P14P-EV, i thought i had better give this a listen:
Current Valve compliment:
8x 6N14P
3x JJ ECC82
1x Sovtek ECC83
1x Phillips 85A2
1x CVC 6080
All listening via Soekris 1421/Novafidelity N15D/AWM-BT2 preamp/Yamaha NS1000M and left for 60 minutes before critical listening impressions were recorded.
Afrocubism - Guantanamera
This is a really well recorded album, but this track in particular gives me a lot to listen for.
The multilayered acoustic guitars and other stringed African instruments have to both remain separated and also gel together to keep the track flowing.
The V deals with this track very easily. Theres a lot of sustain and interaction from instruments, but it manages to keep everything focussed and never loses the separation. Fluidity is good and the the intricacies of the playing techniques of each musician is easily audible.
Tonality is very good and there is a lot of texture. Dynamics between quieter and louder passages are good. There is a deft touch at times. Not easy to do!
Paul Weller - Brand New Start
Weller is front and Center and the slight gravel in his vocals is starltingly lifelike. Vocals on the V are somewhat of a speciality I feel.
The bass is hefty…..and deep!
Again, I am surprised by just how transparent this amplifier is. Little nuances I had only found through the 686 are apparent. That could be because i now know they are there but i think that's being a little cynical. I like to think I would notice their absence.
Guitars are particularly textured and the playing style again comes to the fore. I am impressed so far.
Ray Lamontagne - Burn
I LOVE this guy…..his songwriting on this album is as good as anything any human could ever hope to write, and as his vocal begins i am covered in goosebumps. Honestly...it feels like they are on my eyelids!
THIS is what valves were made for. It’s not a masterful recording, in fact it’s bass heavy but this track mainlines into your soul and the croft V seems to do this with an almost merciless assault.
I spend the next hour listening to this album from start to finish and don’t bother writing a word. If you don’t own a copy….BUY IT
Thinking back over the last hour, my overriding thought is of how i was in the music...int the tracks...in the stories hes telling. On the journey through the album….Thats what us audiophiles seem to forget sometimes. The equipment is for listening to the music. The music isn't for listening to the equipment!
Right, that’ll do for today….more later.
17/4/21:
Just been offered a really nice deal on some Matched NOS 6P14P-EV from my Russian connection. I have happily snapped them up.
Part 2:
Valve Compliment:
8x 6N14P
3x NOS GE ECC82
1x Sovtek ECC83
1x Phillips 85A2
1x Raytheon NOS 6080
So Whilst I await a delivery of the new 6P14P-EV valves, my replacement Raytheon 6080 arrived and so did a triplet of GE ECC82. A picking error at Langrex meant I never received the aforementioned Toshiba valves, but it seems to have been a touch of luck as the GE valves are impressive.
Since the first part of the review, I have done about 10-15 hours of listening. Yes, I have been pretty taken in by it, so those hours has passed in the blink of an eye.
Truth is, I hadn't managed to really identify what it was doing that I liked, or to be able to reliably pinpoint the differences between the Neurochrome 686. I needed to find a weakness, or a difference and until yesterday I was struggling. The best advice in that scenario is to throw the old amp back in, so that's what I did. The 686 was fired up, and I played a lot of the same material. The differences stood out immediately.
Everything the Croft can do, it does really well. The sound is huge, I mean huge. Instruments and vocals are bold, clear and painted vividly. It never strays from tonal accuracy, never adds a bloom or midrange hump to anything either, which has really impressed me. That almost halo effect i have heard from valve gear is also absent. The detail is excellent, it delivers holography and at times an ethereal presentation BUT....it does have a couple of minor differences, and one larger one.
The Croft's minor niggles are in the HF detail. Listening to Sera Una Noche's "Taquito Millitar" revealed the Chime/bell was not as defined in its own space and at times was inaudible. The Cymbals on Dusty Springfield's Son of a Preacher Man were not the driving force of rhythmic change as they are on the 686. As I listened to more tracks, I became more confident that the 686 did a better job of the HF, from a "warts an all" approach. Did the music suffer from these differences? - I don't think so.
However, there was another discovery whilst listening to these tracks. Where the 686 excels (IMHO) is in its ability to organise the soundstage. It clearly defines the position of each piece in the soundstage but also due to its abilities, it can also demonstrate the relative positions in the recording. A bass drum being mixed to sound like it came from further away actually conveys in the system. It comes from further back. This doesn't happen with the Croft V.
Taquito Militar is probably the best track I have for this test, and it became obvious when I played it. There is a section where the group are playing drums of different sizes in different locations in the room. This has been confirmed BTW, I am not talking about mixing...it actually happened that way.
With the 686, you hear everything. The changes of techniques between player, the different sizes of drum, the differences in how hard each one is being hit, the distance from the mic in the recording space, the relative location in the room to each other (soundstage) and also the size of the room they are in. That last one is of course relative to the size I can generate in my room, which isn't massive. However, most of that, if not all, is not available via the Croft V. The drums appear at the speaker, as if they are close mic'd, the amount of acoustic cues of the recording space is minimal, and it leaves a very different sounding replay. One that loses the "recorded in an old church" feel....which it was BTW.
The Croft may lose out in that area to an amplifier that if commercially available may challenge anything up to £10k. But in terms of liquidity, fluidity, holography, texture, tone.....there really isn't anything I have heard that does it any more satisfactorily than the Croft. It's a very lucid amp with the ability to pull goosebumps up out of nowhere with material I must have heard thousands of times. It puts a person in the system, not just a recording and best of all, it's just a fantastic bit of kit that I would challenge anyone not to enjoy.
The Croft Series V made me rethink what is important about HIFI kit and its role in our systems. What we want from the kit is very specific to each one of us. I can't depart from the 686, because it does everything I want it to. It's fluid enough, its detailed enough, it's bold enough, it sounds big enough...you get the idea. The one thing I think I realised most is how much attention the 686 requires from you. You HAVE to listen intently, as there is so much being pulled out and put in front of you. I don't tend to just put on some music and float away, I am analysing, picking out details, bits of info and whatever else and i LOVE the amplifier for that. It's an experience, not just a listen. If like me, you need a system that you can plug things into for evaluation and have utter confidence in the gear to not get in the way, the 686 is better suited IMO.
Listening via the V seems to become a largely "appreciative of the songs" type of affair. Being sucked out of your own awareness and taken into the music. Many times in the last few days, I have lost maybe an hour or so because I have been completely "in" what I was listening to, and that my friends is probably the best recommendation for anything.
I am not done with the Croft. A recap, new binding posts, New RCA sockets, New valves on the way and maybe some better wiring on the inside to see if it can reach the next level are all planned. I really consider the V as one of the best finds i have had in HIFI.
If you see one, have a go with it.
Honestly, it's hard not to love it.
