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Croft Pre-amplifiers: Micro 25 Basic, Micro 25, and Micro 25R

Croft Micro 25R Pre-amp Croft Micro 25R pre-amp rear view Croft Micro 25R pre-amp inside

(Micro 25R pictured)

The Micro 25 is the successor to the almost legendary Croft Micro pre-amp first produced in the 1980s. The 25 designation, incidentally, stands for the 25th anniversary of Croft products! A lot has changed externally since the original line appeared in their cute cream and blue instrument cases, later changing to a larger brown and beige case. Fortunately (or not, depending on your taste), black is the order of the day for the current range. Internally there are some significant differences, but it's still recognisably a Croft with purist point to point wiring and hand selected capacitors (Glenn Croft writes the measured value in pencil on the components for later matching).

All three models look similar externally except for the higher quality phono sockets as you progress up the range. Internally, though, the three models are completely different, with the "R" (pictured above) being the most sophisticated, having full valve based regulation and dual transformers, as well as upgraded components. Don't think the more affordable models are lacking, they all offer excellent performance at their price levels. The Croft range is carefully structured to provide real value at every price point.

Croft Power Amplifiers: Series 7, Series 7R

Croft Series 7R

Croft Series 7R rear view

Croft Series 7R inside

(Series 7R pictured)

The Series 7 is the latest in a long line of power amps, and breaks with Croft tradition in being a hybrid design with a valve input linking to a MOSFET output stage. This approach brings benefits such as increased power output and better control over loudspeakers, whilst avoiding the regular expensive replacement of output valves. Glenn claims these are the best performing power amps he's ever made. Whilst not entirely agreeing with him, we would confirm they are the best value power amps he's ever made, and some of the most successful hybrids we've ever heard!

The "R" version, as with the pre-amps, features valve based power regulation for the driver stage as well as uprated components elsewhere.

Croft Integrated Amplifiers: Line only and Phono versions

Croft Integrated Croft Integrated rear view Croft Integrated inside view

(Phono version pictured)

Croft's all new integrated amp effectively combines the Micro 25 phono stage, a passive line stage, and the hybrid valve/MOSFET power stage from the Series 7. You get over 40W/channel output, 3 line inputs of 250mV sensitivity, and an MM phono input of 1.7mV sensitivity. There is also a line out for extra versatility. The hybrid approach for the output stage means real power to drive normal speakers in a small case and without the hassle of periodic output valve replacement.

As with all Croft equipment, the Integrated is UK made, quite possibly by the Great Man himself, and is constructed without PCBs in the signal path, which also makes it easy to service - although that's a very rare occurrence with Croft!

Croft RIAA Phono stage

No picture - it looks from the front just like the Series 7 power amp (featureless!). The MM phono stage from the Micro 25 in its own case.