Creek Destiny CD Player  

$2595 Shipped

The Destiny CD player from Creek Audio is the first indication of Creek’s intention to launch a series of higher quality products dedicated to the serious hi-fi consumer.

Following in the footsteps of the popular CD50 mk2, the new Destiny player offers superior sound quality with the same playability and durability as the CD50 mk2, but with many additional features.

The CD50mk2 has, up until now, been the best sounding CD player Creek has produced. It out-performed all of the company’s previous players in the area of playability, due to the use of customised firmware that allowed all known copy protected discs as well as interactive media to be played without hiccups. Sound quality was as good as Creek could make within its budget constraints. The Destiny is not a replacement for the CD50 mk2 but an additional model with a real ‘step-up’ in performance.

Creek has introduced additional re-clocking circuitry to eliminate jitter, or timing errors, from corrupting the performance of the Destiny player. It has also incorporated a Creek BUS system to carry signals to and from the player and a link to other Creek linked products. In the future the Creek bus will be able to join certain Creek linked products to proprietary multi-room controllers.

Casework for the Destiny has been increased in size over earlier Creek products, it is more substantial and will reduce vibrations that can cause harmful sonic effects to be heard. The front panel is fitted with solid metal buttons to improve the feel and feedback from the controls. Machined out of 10mm thick solid aluminium, the front panel exudes a much higher impression of quality and reliability than previous Creek CD Players.

The Destiny CD player has been designed ideally to be partnered with Creek’s newest integrated amplifier, the Destiny Integrated Amplifier.

Creek Classic CD

$1595 Shipped

Creek’s Classic CD player has evolved from the CD50mk2. There has been a change in the design of the casework so that it better matches the Classic 5350SE integrated amplifier.

Extracting the digital information from the ATAPI bus, similar to a computer, has enabled Creek to work with a virtually jitter free signal source. To convert the signal to a usable format, the Classic CD player uses a digital buffer circuit (FPGA) that stores the signal for a short time and converts it into a suitable format for feeding to a D to A converter. This creates shock immunity from the player, so that the disc is not playing exactly in real time, but slightly delayed through the dynamic buffer. It also converts the signal into a SPDIF signal to provide a high quality digital output, which is now available via TOSLINK optical as well as co-axial sockets.

Sound quality on the Classic is superb. Using an improved and symmetrical layout with shorter signal paths, the player has much better measured performance than Creek’s original CD50, with much lower signal to noise and THD figures. This is due to the Classic having distributed power supplies with 7 digital and 5 analogue low noise voltage regulators and low noise resistors. A higher frequency clock oscillator is used in this player and is synchronised with the micro controller and buffer clock to minimise internal interference.

Two separate high current mains transformers are used in the Classic player. The voltage to the digital and analogue circuitry, display and ROM drive are kept completely separate, for maximum interference immunity.

Front panel controls include Play, Stop, Pause, Open/Close, Skip Forward, Skip Back, Search Forward, Search Back, Shuffle,Repeat and Standby functions. They are supplemented by an attractive full feature Creek system remote control handset utilising RC5 type codes.

The rear panel has a mains switch, together with the usual fused IEC mains inlet. A pair of gold plated Phono/RCA sockets is provided for un-balanced analogue output and (SPDIF) digital outputs are via a transformer coupled Phono/RCA socket.

The Classic CD player has been designed to read all known ‘Copy Protected Discs’ that currently exist. In future, copy protected discs with revised copy protection algorithms may cause problems, but with its upgradeable software and firmware capability, the Classic can be easily upgraded by the dealer or importer to play such discs.

 Creek EVO C

$900 Shipped

The Evo CD player uses a Philips VAM1201 laser assembly and low profile loader.

This transport is different to the short-loader previously used by Creek in its CD43mk2, CD50 and CD53. However, the laser and chipset are the same. The short-loader transport became obsolete; hence the switch to alternatives, such as the ATAPI drive used in the more expensive Classic and Destiny CD players.

Servo control and decoder functions are performed by a Philips chip set. Custom software controls these functions and also interfaces with user functions such as display, function buttons and remote control.The Evo uses a single high current C core mains transformer fed from the mains via a custom designed common mode filter. To allow it to be easily used in different countries, this CD player uses an external voltage selector.To stabilise and isolate the voltages to the various analogue and digital circuits the Evo uses no less than eight voltage regulators. Digital and analogue supplies are kept separate and the master clock uses its own supply.

One of the most important parts of a good sounding CD player is the master clock. The Evo has been designed to use a low jitter oscillator module that clocks the data from the drive to the D to A converter and also clocks the microcontroller with the same frequency. This is done to avoid the internal interference that would cause sonic performance reductions if run at a different and asynchronous frequency.The data from the decoder is re-clocked to provide a low jitter signal to a Burr-Brown PCM 1738, DAC IC, which is capable of 24 bit/192kHz operation. However, Creek Audio does not up-sample the data as we do not believe there is performance advantage unless done correctly. The Evo CD is an entry level product and therefore its price cannot support the level of circuitry required to perform up-sampling correctly.

Following the D to A conversion, the Evo uses four high grade Burr-Brown OPA604 op-amps to sum the balanced output from the DAC and to convert the output current into a voltage.Analogue filtering is required to the signal to eliminate digital artefacts. This needs to be buffered from the output sockets, so that external equipment does not change the filter shape and response. As it also exits the D to A converter in the reverse phase, the Evo uses two dual OPA2134 op-amps to both buffer the signal and reverse the phase prior to the output sockets. A relay is used at the output to mute the signal to ground when required.

The Evo operates conventionally with buttons for Play and Pause, Stop, Open and Close, Track forward and backward and power On/off. A visual indication of its status is displayed on a large blue Vacuum Fluorescent Display (VFD). The display brightness can be altered from the Evo remote control handset. Gold plated, solid metal, analogue and co-axial digital output sockets have been chosen to provide a good connection and appearance for a product at its price point. Optical digital output is also available via a standard TOSLINK connector. Mains connection is via a standard, fused, IEC chassis plug. A high quality power cord, with suitable mains plug for the country of use is supplied.

The Evo has a dedicated remote control handset, which currently operates both the integrated amplifier and CD player. Evo uses different codes to other Creek products. Therefore it cannot be used with Classic or Destiny, nor can the alternate Creek remote handsets, ARC 53, SRC 1 or SRC 2 be used with Evo. However it has all the features you would expect, including an ability to dim the brightness of the display. The controls are intuitive and the remote is packaged with every product. 

Creek Audio Destiny Integrated Amplifier

$2595 Shipped

A major improvement in the Destiny over earlier Creek amplifiers has been in the area of separating power supply and voltage referencing circuitry for each channel. Dedicated windings on the new and up-rated mains transformer achieves >100 Watts into 8 Ohm operation.

As before, the volume is adjusted via a motorised 27mm ALPS potentiometer. The Destiny has 5 inputs plus a single tape loop selected by relays and indicated by LED’s.

Separating the pre-amp / power amplifier in the Destiny is controlled by a semi-hidden push switch on the rear panel and signal paths to and from the pre and power amplifier are carried by custom audio grade wiring.

The Destiny can still be run with a passive pre-amp but now has the added feature of a gain selectable active pre-amp. Selection is in three steps - 3dB, 6dB & 9dB. The gain is adjustable from underneath the pre-amp selection with a 3 way slider switch. To select active or passive operation a push button on the front panel switches between the two and is indicated with an LED.

A new connector arrangement can be found inside the Destiny pre-amp circuit board allowing the use of a plug-in gain Phono circuit board. Being fully isolated from the input ground, it is possible to input either MM or MC cartridges.

Most types of dynamic headphones can be connected to the standard size ¼" jack socket on the front panel, for high performance reproduction.

The new casework design uses heavy extruded aluminium sections and turned control knobs and buttons, machined by computer aided manufacturing techniques, to achieve a very high quality finish. The front panel itself is machined from solid 10mm thick aluminium. LED’s indicate the functionality. Sorbothane'TM moulded feet, are also used to isolate mechanical vibration and improve sonic resolution.

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 Creek EVO A

$900 Shipped

To achieve 85 Watts power into an 8 Ohms load and > 160 Watts into 4 Ohms, the mains transformer has to be big. The Evo uses an over-rated 250VA toroidal transformer, which will provide enough current to drive the amplifier to almost double its output into 4 Ohms. To improve the sound quality, no expense has been spared.

Separate windings are used for each of the high current high voltage and low voltage, analogue and digital circuits. Two sets of rectifiers and a total of 20,000 micro-Farads of multiple smoothing capacitors are used to separate the left and right circuitry and improve the dynamic performance. This is a technique used by Creek before for its up-market products and is now available in the entry-level Evo. In terms of value for money, this cannot be over-stated.

Generally, few Hi-Fi companies put so much effort into their product's power supplies at this price point, but Creek knows that this is an area where the rewards are high for such investment. To allow it to be easily used in different countries, the Evo also uses an external voltage selector.

Significantly, the Evo is the first product made by Creek to use an electronic volume control. It uses a Burr-Brown PGA2311, stepped resistor attenuator operated by a microcontroller. This allows the user to adjust the volume accurately, in 1 dB steps, from 0 to -80dB. An analogue style rotary encoder, with 40mm solid control knob, is used to alter the volume from the front panel and display the reverse level in dB on a large blue coloured VFD display i.e. 80 is loudest and 0 is off. To buffer the signals in and out of the pre-amp, high grade Burr-Brown OPA2134 op-amps are used. Signal switching is performed by relays, which are driven by signal from a powerful microcontroller, similar to the Destiny amp.

The Evo is configured as a high open-loop gain circuit, using a double differential input and driver stage plus discrete Darlington power output stage, using high current bi-polar transistors. This is similar to the circuitry Creek used prior to its more complicated MOS-FET designs. High grade polypropylene capacitors, bypassed with large value electrolytics, are used to couple and decouple the signal into the power amp as the Evo doesn't use a DC servo correction, like the Classic and Destiny amps.

To keep the amplifier safe, it is monitored by discrete transistor circuitry to protect against over current demand, short circuits and DC offsets. Relays mute the input and separate the loudspeaker output in the case of faults.

The Evo operates conventionally with rotary controls for input selection and volume control and buttons for Tape selection and power On/off. It has four inputs plus tape - selection is via the remote handset or the input selection control. A visual indication of its status is displayed on a large blue Vacuum Fluorescent Display (VFD). The display brightness can be altered from the Evo remote control handset.

Gold plated input and output sockets have been chosen to provide a good connection and appearance for a product at its price point. Loudspeakers are connected with 1 set of 4mm terminal binding posts, with plastic touch proof covers. The amplifier also has a headphone socket which is becoming an increasingly rare feature of modern day amplifiers.

Mains connection is via a standard, fused, IEC chassis plug. A high quality power cord, with suitable mains plug for the country of use is supplied.

 Creek Classic 5350SE

$1595 Shipped

The Classic 5350SE evolved from one of the most popular amplifiers ever produced by Creek Audio – the 5350SE.

The Classic 5350SE is constructed in a modular way, with separate power amp, pre-amp and remote volume control circuit boards, connected with computer grade flat cables, plugs and sockets. It features a passive pre-amp circuit, providing no additional gain to the source signal. Although not strictly necessary, it can be configured with an active pre-amp if required, by plugging in an optional gain board which can be configured in steps of 3, 6 or 9 dB. An optional MM or MC Phono pre-amp can also be plugged in to further increase the flexibility of this fine integrated amplifier.

To accommodate Bi-wiring and Bi-amping, the Classic 5350SE is fitted with 2 pairs of high current speaker binding posts plus separate pre-amp output and power amp input sockets. Speaker A/B selection is switchable from the front panel. Joining and separating the pre/power sections is achieved with a switch on the rear panel, which is recessed to avoid accidental use. Typically this would be used when connecting an external device such as a subwoofer or graphic equaliser. The Classic 5350SE also hosts a front panel mounted headphone socket, which is unusual in modern integrated amplifiers.

Short circuit, DC offset and anti-thump protection circuitry makes the Classic 5350SE a sophisticated, user friendly integrated amplifier, with a technical performance close to the best that can be achieved.

For the technically minded, the Classic 5350SE uses a high current, N channel only, MOS-FET power output stage, driven by a P channel MOS-FET phase splitter and double differential voltage amplifier with symmetrical class A driver, to achieve ultra-low distortion and high speed with minimal negative feedback. Therefore, the Classic 5350SE is able to avoid using any active circuitry in its pre-amp and still achieve high input sensitivity. The optional plug-in gain board uses all discrete transistor circuitry in a unique double differential servo controlled design achieving unbelievably low distortion and noise performance.

The Classic 5350SE uses a 250VA toroidal transformer, together with multiple power supply capacitors totalling 31,000uF, 105 degree C, low impedance, to achieve the quality of computer grade capacitors but with very low inductance, for the ultimate in sonic performance.

Like other Creek amplifiers, the Classic 5350SE is DC servo controlled, to enable direct coupling from input to output and accurate low frequency roll-off, thereby eliminating sonically degrading capacitors from its signal path.

The Classic 5350SE remains a landmark in Hi-Fi design, incorporating state of the art circuitry with elegant styling to achieve a versatile and high fidelity amplifier par excellence.  

CREEK T50

$850 Shipped

One of the great strengths of Creek Audio through the years has been the ability to produce exceptional tuners. The T50 carries on that tradition. Styled to complement the 50 range of integrated amplifiers and CD player, and scheduled for an April 2003 release, this tuner is the perfect match. Yet it will also sit perfectly well with the 53 series, providing the ability to mix and match the two series of products.

With today’s airwaves seemingly becoming more crowded, coupled with the ever-increasing methods of accessing radio broadcasts, why would you purchase a dedicated tuner? The answer is quite simple – it is the only way to really bring radio broadcasts to magnificent sonic life. Separates do sound better and a stand-alone tuner will provide a purer quality of sound.

First and foremost, in a hi-fi context most listening is undeniably FM, although this analogue tuner is not limited to FM. Tune in to your favourite station however and you are instantly aware of the quality of Creek’s T50. Listening to it is addictive, and the idea that radio is purely a source of background music, carries no weight. The T50 is both functional and versatile, high tech, yet simple. Creek has written its own custom software to drive all the controls. The vacuum fluorescent display complete with RDS is easy to read, and when coupled with the intuitive Creek system remote handset - which is standard with the tuner – control is effortless.

The predecessor to this tuner, the T43, was said to cause a complete rethink of standards. The T50 sets a new benchmark.

Creek OBH-18 MM Phono Pre-Amplifier

$250 Shipped

With modern amplifiers expected to cater for so many new devices, the phono capability has frequently been one of the features to disappear. At Creek Audio, the engineering team has always been aware of the benefits of vinyl – that is why the company continues to provide a number of phono stage options.

The OBH-18 was released in late 2003. The function of the OBH-18 is to boost the level and correct the frequency response of a low level signal coming from a moving magnet phono pick-up on a conventional turntable. The signal required by most modern amplifiers is described as being 'LINE' level, which is, in technical terms, between 200 and 500 milli-Volts with a flat frequency response. Unless your amplifier has a specific 'Phono' or Disc input, the level will be too low and the frequency response will be wrong. The OBH-18 is designed to boost the signal and introduce an R.I.A.A. frequency response characteristic.

The OBH-18 looks the part too! Designed to complement the Creek range of amplifiers, tuners and CD players, the new OBH range features an impressive solid aluminium front panel in a silver finish. The remainder of the 150mm casing is black so the products all but disappear.

Specifications
Gain 37 dB
Frequency Response 20 Hz to 20 kHz ± 0.25 dB
Signal to Noise Ratio - 83 dB
Total Harmonic Distortion < 0.03%
R1AA deviation ± 0.5%
Output 250 mV
Output Impedance 100 Ohm
Input sensitivity / impedance 3.5 mV / 47K ohm / 220pF
Overload margin 25 dB
Mates well with cartridges 2.5 mV - 5 mV output
Power supply voltage 24V DC / 30 mA
Weight 3Kg
Size 15 x 10 x 66mm