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 Creek 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 Creek Classic Series CD Player 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 Creek 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 Creek Classic CD 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.

Product PDF: Creek Classic CD

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

The Creek 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 Creek 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 Creek 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 Creek 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 Creek 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 Creek Classic Integrated Amp 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.

Available in Black or Silver

Product PDF: Creek Classic 5350SE Integrated Amp

One of the great strengths of Creek Audio through the years has been the ability to produce exceptional tuners. The Creek Classic T50 carries on that tradition. Styled to complement the Classic range of integrated amplifiers and CD player, and released in 2006, this tuner is the perfect match. Yet it will also sit perfectly well with the older 53 and the new Destiny series, providing the ability to mix and match.

With today's airwaves seemingly becoming even 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 bring radio broadcasts magnificently to life. Separates do sound better and a stand-alone analogue tuner will provide a purer quality of sound.

Firstly, in a hi-fi context, most listening is undeniably FM, although this analogue tuner is not limited only to FM. Tune-in to your favourite station and you are instantly aware of the exceptional quality. Listening to it is addictive, and the idea that radio is purely a source of background music, carries no weight. The Creek Classic T50 is functional, versatile, high tech, yet simple.

The design objective for the Creek Classic T50 Tuner was to develop a tuner that, regardless of price, could be a benchmark for both radio and audio performance. By using technology that is normally found in professional communication receivers Creek Audio has achieved its goal. The mixture of high technology and design simplicity has reduced the component count to a level previously thought impossible.

Whilst the majority of synthesised tuners today use buttons to tune-in stations and select pre-set station memory, the Creek Classic T50 uses a rotary tuning knob connected to a digital encoder to provide tuning and pre-set station selection in a way that makes this digital tuner operate and feel like an analogue tuner. To simplify its functionality, Creek's engineers have reduced the number of local functions to a minimum, while maintaining all the sophistication required to control every aspect of the tuner. Front panel controlled functions include Rotary Tuning Mode, Rotary Pre-set Mode, Band Switching - AM/FM, or MW/LW/FM, depending on country settings, Auto Scan tuning, Display brightness. These, plus Mono Stereo and mute threshold adjustment, are also available via remote control. The Classic T50 also has the ability to display the name and frequency of the station tuned using RDS (Radio Data System).

To achieve state of the art sensitivity and selectivity, the Creek Classic T50 uses a dual-conversion method of retrieving radio signals, which combined with a single stage broadly tuned front-end, allows the Classic T50 to pick out weak stations from the airwaves when they are close in frequency to a strong local station. A special feature of the tuner called local AFC enables the digital control bus to be switched-off, when not in use. This lowers levels of digital interference to the radio signal. Surface Mount Technology and the use of double sided plated through-hole printed circuit boards provide a high level of interference suppression and help to achieve professional levels of performance.

Changes of country settings are customisable and station pre-sets are held in a non-volatile memory, similar to that of a PC computer, with up to a maximum of 99 memory locations available for FM and 29 for AM. A large sized green vacuum fluorescent display makes it easy to read, and the intuitive Creek SRC2 system remote handset makes for effortless control.

The open and dynamic sound of the Creek Classic T50 could be restricted by the quality of the aerial or antenna used. In addition, the distance from the station and the source quality from the chosen radio station will determine the absolute noise performance.

Designed and manufactured in the U.K. The Classic T50 sets a new benchmark.

In response to the demand for bi-amping from many existing customers of the Creek Classic 5350SE and original 5350SE Creek has developed a simple solution. We have simply taken a Classic 5350SE and removed everything that was not associated with the power amp section. We removed the pre amp, remote control volume and input selection circuitry and micro controller. This left us with the Creek Classic Power Amp.

This is not a retrograde step because, for those of you who read the specs would realise, the Creek 5350SE-integrated amplifier is already a power amp with passive pre-amp. In other words, if you were to eliminate the pre-amp section and drive it from the power amp with a separate pre-amp through the input sockets on the back, the performance would be the same as for the integrated amp. The Creek Classic Power Amplifier is constructed in a similar case too the integrated amp, but obviously, without the sockets, switches and knobs and other unnecessary function controls that are used in the integrated amp.

To accommodate Bi-wiring, the Classic Power Amp is fitted with 2 pairs of high current speaker binding posts. Speaker A/B selection is not possible, but the amp can drive 2 sets of 8 Ohms speakers in parallel if required, or separately drive different drivers in a single multi-way speaker through separate speaker cables.

Short circuit, DC offset and anti-thump protection circuitry makes the Classic Power Amp a sophisticated, user-friendly power amplifier, with a technical performance close to the best. For the technically minded, the Classic Power Amp 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. The input sensitivity is the same as the Classic 5350SE Integrated amp, so paralleling the integrated amp and power amp will achieve the same gain, which can be controlled by the common volume control in the Classic 5350SE. If used as a stand-alone power amp, the power amp can be used with a passive or active pre-amp as required. It will also work very well with the Creek OBH-22 remote controlled Passive Pre-amp.

The Classic Power Amp 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.

Product PDF: Creek Classic A53 Power Amp

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.

The Creek 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 Creek Evo CD Player 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.

One of the great strengths of Creek Audio through the years has been the ability to produce exceptional tuners. The Evolution AM/FM Tuner carries on that tradition. Styled to complement the Evolution range of integrated amplifier and CD player, and released in 2006, this tuner is the perfect match.

With today's airwaves seemingly becoming even 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 bring radio broadcasts magnificently to life. Separates do sound better and a stand-alone analogue tuner will provide a purer quality of sound.

Firstly, in a hi-fi context, most listening is undeniably FM, although this analogue tuner is not limited only to FM. Tune-in to your favourite station and you are instantly aware of the exceptional quality. Listening to it is addictive, and the idea that radio is purely a source of background music, carries no weight. The Evolution Tuner is functional, versatile, high tech, yet simple.

The design objective for the Evolution AM/FM Tuner was to develop a product that, regardless of price, could be a benchmark for both radio and audio performance. By using high quality components and sensible electronic design Creek has achieved its goal. The mixture of high technology and design simplicity has reduced the component count to a level previously thought impossible.

Whilst the majority of synthesised tuners today use buttons to tune-in stations and select pre-set station memory, the Evolution AM/FM Tuner uses a rotary tuning knob connected to a digital encoder to provide tuning and pre-set station selection in a way that makes this digital tuner operate and feel like an analogue tuner. To simplify its functionality, Creek's engineers have reduced the number of local functions to a minimum, while maintaining all the necessary functionality. Front panel controlled functions include Rotary Tuning Mode, Rotary Pre-set Mode, Band Switching - AM/FM, Auto Scan tuning and Memory store. These, plus Mono, Stereo, Display Brightness and direct pre-set station number entry are also available via a system remote control, that also serves the Evolution amplifier and CD player. The Evolution AM/FM Tuner also has the ability to display the name and frequency of the station tuned using RDS (Radio Data System) on its blue vacuum fluorescent display.

To achieve high sensitivity and selectivity, the Evolution AM/FM Tuner uses a four tuned circuit FM radio front-end with J-FET RF amplification and mixer and is shielded from interference by a tin-plated metal can. A high-grade 10.7 Mhz IF circuit and PLL stereo decoder process the signal.

A mixture of conventional and Surface Mount Technology is used together on a double-sided, plated through-hole, printed circuit board to provide a high level of interference suppression and help to achieve hi-fi levels of performance.

Station pre-sets are held in a non-volatile memory, similar to that of a PC computer, with up to a maximum of 80 memory locations available between FM and AM. A large sized blue vacuum fluorescent display makes it easy to read, and the intuitive system remote handset makes it easy to control the Tuner, Amp and CD player from one handset.

The open and dynamic sound of the Evolution AM/FM Tuner can be restricted by the quality of the aerial or antenna used. In addition, the distance from the station and the source quality from the chosen radio station will determine the absolute noise performance.

The Creek Destiny integrated amplifier will continue to produce world beating audio performance, through its continued use of discrete analogue MOS-FET circuitry which was first developed for Creek's amplification products in 1993. This circuitry has continued to be used with great success since that time.

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.

In addition Creek has upgraded the circuitry that controls the protection of the amplifier and ancillary products under fault conditions. Protection of the amplifier and ancillary products under fault conditions is facilitated by an array of sensors and measurement circuits feeding-back information to the microcontroller that monitors the amplifier constantly for over-temperature, over-current, DC offsets, power supply status and over-drive situations. If any of these conditions is exceeded the microcontroller will take the appropriate corrective action. This can include, muting the input signal, separating the speaker outputs and, in extreme cases, switching off the mains supply to the power amplifier circuitry.

It continues, as before, to control the volume by adjusting a motorized 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. Loudspeaker connection is controlled locally by gold contact high current relays that can also be controlled via the Creek (CAN) bus.

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. The early range of phono boards which suit Creek's Classic 5350SE and earlier model Creek amplifiers will not fit this new amplifier.

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

One of the more difficult tasks was to make the Destiny switch into low-current standby operation. Waking up the amplifier can now be performed simply via the Creek System Remote handset.

The metal case of the Destiny amplifier is larger and more substantial in thickness and weight. 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. Groups of function buttons are now clustered together within a machined circle to make it more intuitive to use. LED's indicate the functionality. Sorbothane'TM moulded feet, are also used to isolate mechanical vibration and improve sonic resolution.

The Creek Destiny Power amplifier is designed to produce world beating audio performance, through its continued use of custom discrete analogue MOS-FET circuitry, which was first developed for Creek's amplification products in 1993. This circuitry has continued to be used with great success since that time and has evolved to meet the increasing demands for higher power, lower distortion and noise.

The Destiny Power Amplifier uses separate power supplies and voltage referencing circuitry for each channel. Dedicated windings on mains transformer help it to achieve >100 Watts into 8 Ohm operation and nearly double that into 4 Ohms.

The Destiny Power Amp uses the same protection circuitry as the Destiny Integrated amplifier under fault conditions. Protection of the amplifier and ancillary products under fault conditions is facilitated by an array of sensors and measurement circuits feeding-back information to its microcontroller that monitors the amplifier constantly for over-temperature, over-current, DC offsets, power supply status and over-drive situations. If any of these conditions is exceeded the microcontroller will take the appropriate corrective action. This can include, muting the input signal, separating the speaker outputs and in extreme cases, switching off the mains supply to the power amplifier circuitry. A log of fault conditions is stored in an internal memory device, which is also used to remember the last setting used prior to switching off the mains supply.

The Destiny Power amp is unusual in that it has two separate inputs. Firstly it has a non-inverting, input via high quality solid metal, gold plated RCA sockets that connect to the power amplifier directly. It also has active balanced inputs, via XLR sockets and uses relays to switch between the two inputs. The Destiny Power Amplifier can select either input from a button on the rear panel or using the forthcoming Destiny CAN Link system that extends the controls to another room or proprietary RS232 room controller.

Loudspeaker connection can be from bare wire or audio type instrument plugs, through high-grade touch-proof screw terminals on the rear panel that can be switched from the front panel, remote handset or Can Link by gold contact high-current relays.

Like the rest of the Destiny range of products, the Power Amplifier can switch into low-current standby operation from the front panel or remote control handset. Waking up the amplifier can now be performed simply via the Creek System Remote handset. For the ecologically aware consumer, the Destiny power amp draws less than 1 Watt of mains current in standby mode.

The metal case of the Destiny amplifier has been constructed from custom designed extrusions using solid 10mm thick front panel and 4mm thick extruded side and rear panels that combined with the 3mm thick top and bottom plate to make a very substantial heavy weight product. In addition the buttons and feet are machined by computer aided manufacturing techniques, to achieve a very high quality finish. To isolate mechanical vibration and improve sonic resolution custom designed 4mm thick Sorbothane 'TM' moulded washers are stuck to the machined disc feet.

All in all, this is the best Power Amplifier Creek have so far made and will definitely compliment the Integrated amp to achieve greater levels of current deliver for difficult loudspeakers that demand high current. They are ideally suited to drive the Epos range of Loudspeakers.

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.

Performance has been enhanced by careful attention to design detail, specifically in the area of PCB layout. The Destiny CD player uses an improved low phase noise (5pS), temperature controlled, master clock oscillator. It uses separate, instrument grade, OPA134 op-amps in the audio output to buffer each channel and the filtering of unwanted digital artefacts is improved. The op-amps in the output are also powered separately from their own low noise regulators.

In total there are now 16 regulated low noise power supplies in the Destiny player. All rectifiers in the power supply are Shottky Barrier types for low noise, which do not require decoupling capacitors. All other power supply decoupling capacitors are audio grade low impedance 105 degree C types. Audio signal path passive components are selected for sonic purity, such as high-stability MELF type resistors and film and polypropylene type capacitors. Audio output RCA sockets are now solid metal, gold plated types with screw fixing, if required.

To maintain the isolation between digital and analogue supplies, Creek has designed a truly stunning mains power supply for the Destiny, with all components mounted on a thick double sided plated-through-hole PCB. Three separate fully encapsulated PCB mounted toroidal mains transformers are used to completely separate digital and analogue supplies. A fully shielded, multi-element, mains filter is used to prevent interference to or from the Destiny. The mains IEC plug with built-in fuse holder is mounted on the power supply PCB together with the mains switch. A voltage selector switch is accessible from inside the case for multiple country operation. All the supplies are separately connected to the mother and display boards for improved serviceability.

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, scheduled for release at the same time – the Destiny Integrated Amplifier.

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

The most recent addition to the Creek range is the OBH-15, combining moving magnet and moving coil Phono pre-amplifiers, into one diminutive chassis. Seriously impressive and offering audiophile performance, the new OBH-15 will augment any system.

The OBH-15 Phono pre-amp can now drive longer cables, due to its low output impedance. It has combined the high quality discrete semiconductor circuitry of the OBH-8 and OBH-9 input and gain stages, and added improved open loop gain by cascoding them, prior to the selector switch and combined passive RIAA circuit. Separate Burr-Brown professional grade low-noise op-amps are used for each channel, to buffer the output signal and provide a very low impedance drive to any pre-amp or integrated amplifier. The OBH-15 can switch from moving magnet to moving coil cartridges, via a simple push button on the rear panel. As it has two input circuits, optimised for each type of cartridge it allows for the connection of two turntables. A high gain MC version, for low output MC cartridges, is available to order.

The OBH-15 has a built-in high performance power supply regulator circuit which makes it immune from power supply fluctuations so, it can be used with the un-regulated OBH-1, 6 Watt power supply; but it will sound better with the regulated 12 Watt OBH-2, which is available as an option.

Internally, the OBH-15 has built to the highest standards using a glass-fibre double sided, plated through hole PCB and very high-grade components. The OBH-15 looks the part too! Designed to complement the Creek range of amplifiers, tuners and CD players, the new OBH range features an impressive 4mm thick solid aluminium front panel in a silver finish. The remainder of the 150mm deep extruded aluminium case is painted black, so the product all but disappears.

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.

Creek OBH-21 and 21SE headphone amplifiers eliminate the need to use a full sized integrated amplifier to boost the audio signal when only headphones are used. An average output level CD player or tuner can be connected directly to the input of the headphone amplifier. This is much more convenient and can improve performance for headphone listening compared with larger integrated amplifiers.

The OBH-21 incorporates advanced circuitry utilising high grade op-amps for signal amplification, providing the capability to drive headphones with impedances ranging from 30 to 300 Ohms without a problem. Gain (level) will be greater for lower impedance headphones.

There are two 1/4" (6.3mm) stereo headphone jacks on the front panel of both models. The matching impedance for each of these sockets is slightly different which allows for better individual matching. When using two sets of headphones, the impedance will be the same for both. The output level can be adjusted by an analogue volume potentiometer coupled to a solid metal control knob on the front panel. The OBH-21 has only one pair of stereo inputs using stereo RCA (Phono) sockets on the rear panel. To make connection to another amplifier easier, there is another pair of sockets which can patch the input signal through to another amplifier. This is especially useful if the OBH-21 is used in series with the tape loop of a pre-amp or integrated amp. It is suitable for any line level analogue source.

In common with all electrical appliances, the OBH-21 requires a power source. A custom stand-alone Creek OBH type power supply is provided that must be connected to the unit via the DC inlet on the rear panel. The mains power supply and connector plug will vary, depending on country of use. Inside the OBH-21, custom circuitry is used to convert the power supply from a single, positive rail, into a split positive and negative supply and ghosted ground. Split rail supplies provide better Common Mode Rejection Ratio (CMMR) which will improve the sound quality by increasing interference suppression and allow for DC signal coupling on the SE version.

The OBH-21 uses two high-grade NE 5534 op-amp circuits for the amplifying stage and audio grade coupling capacitors in the signal path to block DC (direct current). The SE version uses two instrument grade LM 7171 op-amp circuits but has no coupling capacitors from the signal path to achieve DC coupling from input to output, for better sound quality. Like the Classic and Destiny amplifiers; it uses a custom Creek DC servo loop to eliminate any trace of DC from the output.

The OBH-21 can also be used in conjunction with other Creek OBH series products, such as Phono pre-amplifiers or the passive pre-amplifier. Furthermore, it can also function with a stand-alone pre-amplifier or integrated amplifier, connected in the tape loop.

The OBH-21SE is a higher grade version of the standard OBH-21. Higher grade components and additional circuitry is used to produce a better performance. The main differences between the 21 and SE are as follows:-


Power supply supplied:- The OBH21 comes with the OBH-1 un-regulated 24V / The OBH21SE comes with the OBH-2 regulated 24V

Volume pot type:- The OBH21 comes with the 16mm carbon film / The OBH21SE comes with the 27mm plastic film SOUNDWELL

Amplifier circuitry:- The OBH21, NE 5532 / The OBH21SE, LM 7171

Signal coupling:- The OBH21, AC coupling using audio grade caps / The OBH21SE, DC coupling using DC servo circuit

Input socket type:- The OBH21, Nickel / The OBH21SE, Gold

Creek's latest product release is the OBH-22 passive pre-amplifier.

The function of the Creek OBH-22 passive pre-amplifier is to provide input selection and volume adjustment to a Hi-Fi system from an armchair, via infra-red remote control. The unit can also be controlled directly from the front panel.

The OBH-22 consists of a high quality motorised volume potentiometer, and two stereo relays which select the desired input plus tape output, together with a muting relay that can short the signals to ground.

A built-in micro-controller decodes the infra-red signals transmitted by the handset and translates them into commands which activate the motorised potentiometer and the muting and input selection relays.

After each operation, the micro-controller turns itself off to avoid any possibility of interfering with the main music signal. LED's are used to indicate the status and mode of operation.

The OBH-22 is purely passive and does not introduce any gain or distortion into the signal path. It is therefore suitable to be used as a control pre-amplifier, provided the sensitivity of the power amplifier that is being used is high enough to be driven directly from the source. i.e. CD player or tuner etc.

The volume control can be operated manually at any time, whether the OBH-22 is powered or not, but without power only Line 1 can be utilised.