Croft valves . . .

[CJSF]

Had a bit of time to go through my option, Morantz 603, Arcam Solo mini, either buy a pair of new speakers or use a pair of one off 'folded horn speakers' I have in the loft . . . A third option that is pulling very hard . . . Is a Croft integrated valve amp, around £1000.00. As a piece of HiFi equipment the Croft amp is a 5 star+ performer, I'm simply going back to my Audiophile days I admit, I was a 'valve freak' and had a very high regard for Croft amps. I have decided my needs are simply, something like Spotify, that I can either listen to in real time direct from the computer or, pay for and download music to a file, either listen at a later date or make (rip?) a CD and use the CD player on the computer as a source. I dont have an iPod, dont want one either. If I connected the '3.5mm jack line signal' from the computer, is it the same as the old fashioned 'phono line out' the valve amp will be looking for? I know it not the modern way to do things, I'm not modern . . . any one give me any idea? CJSF

 

[chebby]

If I connected the '3.5mm jack line signal' from the computer, is it the same as the old fashioned 'phono line out' the valve amp will be looking for? I know it not the modern way to do things, I'm not modern . . . any one give me any idea? CJSF

It would work (with a 3.5mm jack --> 2 phono lead costing a fiver or less), but everything that comes after it will be amplifying the qualities of your laptop's built in sound card.

Slotting in a simple USB DAC (with a USB connection to your laptop and standard RCA phono to your amp) will almost certainly yield a much better result. (The DAC is 'plug and play' and bypasses the laptop's soundcard.)

Nothing complicated about it.

 

[CJSF]

Chebby, thats is exactly what I wanted to know 🙂 It also answers another question, I'm looking to get a new computer as well, talking to the supplier about getting a quality sound card? £80-£150! . . . I'm not convinced the card is what I want, looks to me like its for surround sound with loads of 3.5mm outputs!

I can have my audiophile days back??? sort of :~ via my computer . . . 😛arty:

Thanks again Chebby, you are a very patient person, I have all my option covered now, I might even keep the old computer for a while and plug a USB-DCA thingy in, put that int the old Rotel, see how that performs . . . as a stop gap??? . . . 🙂

CJSF

 

[Alec]

Good choice, no point spending loads on a soundcard intended for gaming and surround sound .

 

[chebby]

A third option that is pulling very hard . . . Is a Croft integrated valve amp, around £1000.00. As a piece of HiFi equipment the Croft amp is a 5 star+ performer, I'm simply going back to my Audiophile days I admit, I was a 'valve freak' and had a very high regard for Croft amps.

You could save a lot by getting the Icon Audio Stereo 25 Mk II integrated valve amp. (£799 for the 35 watts x 2, EL34 version.)

(Actually Croft Acoustic's cheapest pre + power combination comes to a total of £1400 and their website does not list any integrated amplifiers.)

 

[CJSF]

A third option that is pulling very hard . . . Is a Croft integrated valve amp, around £1000.00. As a piece of HiFi equipment the Croft amp is a 5 star+ performer, I'm simply going back to my Audiophile days I admit, I was a 'valve freak' and had a very high regard for Croft amps.

You could save a lot by getting the Icon Audio Stereo 25 Mk II integrated valve amp. (£799 for the 35 watts x 2, EL34 version.)

(Actually Croft Acoustic's cheapest pre + power combination comes to a total of £1400 and their website does not list any integrated amplifiers.)

I think . . . the web sit is a little behind ???? unless I've been given duff info??? I will double check and also track down 'Icom Audio'.

The USB-DCA it like the missing link to me . . . putting the whole quest over the past few weeks into perspective 🙂

CJSF

 

[Shanka]

Just a little note if you want a cheap/good DAC the HRT MusicStreamer ii is getting good reviews on here and the press, only £150 plus a usb leads, sure you have the phono ones, hope you are still having fun.

 

[CJSF]

:bigsmile: Fun . . . fun . . . fun!!!!! I've dug my Dads old Rotel 820 ancient or what??? . . . plus my pair of 'one off' audiophile folded horn speakers!!!

Question:
Reading about the USB-DCA converter I get the idea that there is a program to load for it to work with windows, am I right?

Anyway, back to my 'fun' sitting here listening to Sandy Nelson, 'Let there be Drums', just moved on to 'Pachelbel Cannon'.

The Rotel is obviously a stop gap . . . Hazel has just asked me do I feel young again? . . . 8) . . . well it certainly transports me back 20 years . . . Ah, a few tracks from the classic 'War of the Worlds'.

Just got to decide?: . . . Audiophile solid state, valves or a reasonable quality integrated consumer type receiver, which should be better than the 20 year old Rotel? . . . :| In the meantime; get this study turned into a studio 🙂

Classic . . . as things warm up, the music is becoming more engaging . . . I'm just amazed it all works after 16 years when it was all mothballed!

CJSF

CJSF

 

[CJSF]

Just a little note if you want a cheap/good DAC the HRT MusicStreamer ii is getting good reviews on here and the press, only £150 plus a usb leads, sure you have the phono ones, hope you are still having fun.

Thanks for the 'heads up' Shanka, did a bit of research, the HRT seems to lead the bunch at around the £150 mark? if the reviews, specs., and my reading between the lines is right? Placed an order with 'Analogue Seduction' to day along with an 'Audio Quality' USB lead @ £23.00, bottom end of the quality connection cables . . . I'm in town on Tuesday, pop into Maplin, they do an A to B USB for £9 . . . I'll report back on my findings.

Be interesting to see how the HRT-DCA perks up the 20 year old Rotel, which sounds perky already to me . . . will it still be just a stop gap?

And whilst talking about 'Analogue Seduction', they have a special offer on the 'Rega Mira 3', £448.00, £150 off!!! If I want to go away from valves, this may be a viable, value for money option??? Anyone got first hand experience with the 'Mira 3' . . . ?

CJSF

 

[CJSF]

A third option that is pulling very hard . . . Is a Croft integrated valve amp, around £1000.00. As a piece of HiFi equipment the Croft amp is a 5 star+ performer, I'm simply going back to my Audiophile days I admit, I was a 'valve freak' and had a very high regard for Croft amps.

You could save a lot by getting the Icon Audio Stereo 25 Mk II integrated valve amp. (£799 for the 35 watts x 2, EL34 version.)

(Actually Croft Acoustic's cheapest pre + power combination comes to a total of £1400 and their website does not list any integrated amplifiers.)

Have don a bit more digging Chebby, as suspected, the Croft webb site needs upgrading. There is an intigrated Hybrid 'valve/mosfet' amp in the £850 bracket. The recomendation comes from a very respected source, although with Glenns kit, its a 'black box with knobs on', eye canndy is not his strong point 😀 Personaly, as an old valve freek, I dont worry to much about the box, its whats inside and what the music is like that interests me. Listening test to had shortly 😉

Digging back in my memory archives, one seems to remember this Hybrid idea being put forward 20 years ago??? The delacacy of the valve pre controling mosfets output . . . it might have been Glenn Croft putting the idea forward? . . . did he even produce something along these lines at the time?? . . . Very laid back, 'old and trusted is best' but a radical thinker when required . . .

CJSF