Anyone hear a Croft Integrated Amp?

I’ve auditioned CROFT separates (preamp and power amp) at a dealer with the following observations:
Its a bespoke British kit that has its own quirks, strengths and warts,

(1) Speaker matching was comparatively very acute. In my audition, LIVING VOICE Avatar OBX-R2 speakers bested NEATs, FOCAL and all the other contenders on-site. CROFT appeared to be of a higher sensitivity to a proper speaker match.

(2) Cables had a noticeable effect on the synergy alchemy. Curiously again, a higher sensitivity to cables was apparent, with LFD besting the bevy of cable choices. But because of (1) above, it was impossible to emphatically assign a separate distinct factor herein with any great assurance.

(3) The CROFT kit sounded great with a high-end digital source at the top of the system. It was my observation that the CROFT kit is very revealing and will expose any source shortcomings or weak spots graphically.

MY TAKE

it can be lovely indeed, it’s a bespoke high-end kit but it is not one that I rank ahead of a better known and more easily seen alternative such as LFD. The latter is every bit the peer to CROFT and IMO a "better" performer via both performance and flexibility in many system builds.

add to this that

-- the CROFT is an esoteric limited appeal and limited popularity brand here
-- but still $$$$ buy on this side of the pond

AND

-- with the potential high component matching sensitivity issues highlighted above,

(1) it’s a high-risk brand choice that I would never buy blind nor lend any credence to mag reviews accordingly because of these real risks:

(2) your exit choices later, if it does not float your boat, will likely be very limited (and expensive) because of its relative popularity and brand obscurity in North America ;

(3) Having heard it, (and it was lovely but in THAT bespoke system) I would only consider it in an evaluation predicated upstream to its source AND downstream to its speaker mates.

In simpler words, it is a unit to be a contender AFTER I was comfortable with the rest of my gear. It is not one that I would parse out separately as a low-risk keeper first building block .....

Thank you!  That was an incredibly insightful and helpful post. I especially appreciate the insight of potential difficulties of resale if the unit is not to my liking. Cheers!

  I purchased a used Croft Micro 25 preamp last year based on reviews & forums, and could not be happier with it.  I would have zero regrets even had I paid full retail price.
  However I never initiate conversations about it or the brand, because, I'm pretty certain I would be just as pleased with almost any other highly transparent, handmade tube preamp in my system.
  Without denying anything akg said above--I'd suggest searching some of the UK forums for more information on the LS50+Croft pairing.

P.S. Best I ever heard the LS50s was with a PrimaLuna integrated.

I have had Croft Micro phone preamps since 1987 and love them. Currently using a 25R with Telefunkens and 5751 and it’s sublime. I’ve not heard the integrated but heard nothing but praise. I have read a review that suggests some higher order distortion than some amps but it makes music. I’d recommend it as a phono integrated if using a turntable. Roll out the JJ tubes for much improved performance over stock.

Croft makes very high quality audio gear. I have a Croft RIAA phono preamp in which I’m running Shuguang Custom 12AX7 LS Super Tube Special Edition tubes. The Shuguangs are fast becoming my favourite new production 12AX7 tubes (Psvane 12AX7-TII ’s were my previous favourites) .

I chose Croft because I have a London Decca Super Gold cartridge which is the same cartridge that Glenn Croft uses to voice his preamp.

The Croft RIAA performs head and shoulders above my previous phono stage. Although, since the Doge 8 is both a line and phono stage preamp, a direct comparison may not be completely fair.