Croft Vitale preamp upgrades?

[AudioFeline]

I have a Croft "Vitale" valve preamp (point-point wiring) - the original version (1980's I believe), not the newer version. My version has the rounded brass knobs; later version have cylindrical knobs with flat ends. Nice 1940's retro styling.

With my basic electronics skills I've upgraded the RCA sockets, the volume pots and the selector switch to audiophile-level components. I've also added dampening to the aluminum bracket that holds the tubes, which created much cleaner audio and soundstage.

I have read that Glen Croft has offered upgrading some of the components to bring this old version to the spec's of the current version. I don't want to send my amp to the UK for this to be done, and Glen was reluctant to advise me on how I (really, how my tech.) could do the upgrade on my side of the world.

Any advice on upgrades? I'm aware that tubes can be rolled, I'm thinking more about component upgrades at this stage.

[Image of my model, taken from the inerweb']

Thanks.

 

[TimF]

I do not have anything specific to tell you about the mods, but curious, have you checked over on the AOS(Art of Sound) forum, UK based, that has a quite a few Croft fans there that might be able to point you in some way or another. I like Croft gear too, I have his newer range, Micro 25 preamp and a pair of Series 7 amplifiers. Good stuff, simple, but really nice. Have fun! Tim

 

[Art K.]

Any reason you don’t want to send it to Glen. Great guy with awesome sounding products. He would do right by you. If it’s because you would have to do without tunes for a few weeks, I get it. Perhaps buy a cheap receiver from Craigslist and give it a go.

 

[AudioFeline]

I do not have anything specific to tell you about the mods, but curious, have you checked over on the AOS(Art of Sound) forum, UK based, that has a quite a few Croft fans there that might be able to point you in some way or another. I like Croft gear too, I have his newer range, Micro 25 preamp and a pair of Series 7 amplifiers. Good stuff, simple, but really nice. Have fun! Tim

Thanks, I will check it out.

 

[AudioFeline]

Any reason you don’t want to send it to Glen. Great guy with awesome sounding products. He would do right by you. If it’s because you would have to do without tunes for a few weeks, I get it. Perhaps buy a cheap receiver from Craigslist and give it a go.

My understanding is that Glen is reliable and trustworthy. He's been helpful with a few other questions I've had about the unit.
I'd just prefer not to send it to the other side of the world, the postage will take a few weeks each journey and will be expensive from where I am. It's a lot of time and cost just for a few minutes of soldering.