My friend has a Linn Sondek with Quasar phono, Epos M12 speakers.
Which amplifier is the best in this system?

The Creek works really well with the Epos speakers, I know as a friend has that very set-up, sounds way better than it should.

Maybe the forthcoming Heed Obelisk. The Creek and Naim are both fine amps.

Andrew

The Epos M12 was voiced on the end of a Creek 5350SE.

I have actually owned a 5350SE, and can say that it is an excellent integrated amplifier. Like the Nait 5i, the pre-amp stage is passive.

The 5350SE power amp stage features 4 output devices (2 per channel), a good sized torrodial transformer (about 250VA) and a multiple bank of smoothing capacitors totalling over 30,000 micro Farads. This gives the 5350SE plenty of current, with a power output of 85W per channel into 8 Ohms. 150W into 4 Ohms. It has enough grunt to power the majority of speakers.

What is superb about the 5350SE is the optional plug in phono boards. They offer excellent performance for little money. I think the MM/MC SE version is about 70 quid.

Sond wise, the 5350SE offers a neutral tonal balance. The 5350SE's strengths are rhythm and timing, which it does as well as most of the Naim interated amps. The midrange is as good as any integrated I have heard. If it had a weakness, I would say the bass is slightly shy. However, with the M12, you will restore the balance.

I have heard a few Creek/Epos systems, and can honestly say that sonically they are far greater than the sum of the parts that make them.

Brad.

What is superb about the 5350SE is the optional plug in phono boards. They offer excellent performance for little money. I think the MM/MC SE version is about 70 quid.

Seconded.
Those little SE phono boards outperformed the ones in my NAC72 and Rega Mira. I understand it's hard to compare onboard phono stages, but the bottom line is my LPs sounds best at the end of the 5350se.

Hi Rudolf,

While I can imagine that it should be a tall order to better the Creek 5350SE with the M12s in its price range, the new Heed Obelisk just might be able to turn the trick for less money.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y32/poindexterdexter/Obelisk.jpg

The Obelisk employs an innovative circuit topology that avoids DC-coupling in the same manner that valve amps do, only utilising output capacitors as opposed to output transformers. So the current delivery capability of the Obelisk mimics that of valve amplification even though it is entirely solid-state. Although the Obelisk is rated to deliver a modest 35wpc, its current delivery is far larger than that would in itself suggest, just as seen in similarly-rated valve amplifiers.

The Obelisk has five line-level inputs, although there are optional MM or MC phono boards available (not much of an issue since your friend is already running a Quasar). Another clever feature is that one of those line inputs has a -6dB sensitivity compared to all the others. This should prove useful for CD players with insanely high output voltages as compared to, say, turntables and finally allow them to enjoy the full range of the volume control as opposed to maxing-out somewhere around 9 or 10 o'clock on the dial.

The base model Obelisk will list for between £450-£550. And early indications from a few UK dealer demos have already found it handily dispatching with the Nait 5 & 5i, and even the smallest Naim pre/power ensemble, the 112/150.

But there will also be a deluxe version for around £650-£750. This one has the capability of 2 further upgrades as needs and budget allow.

The first upgrade consists of a separate power supply. This will not only boost the power rating from 35wpc to 50wpc, it will also dedicate itself solely to the power amp section of the Obelisk, leaving the substantial original onboard power supply to dedicate itself solely to the preamplifier section. So effectively, it's like getting two upgrades for the price of one. The separate power supply should retail for somewhere between £350-£450.

The second upgrade will be a matching 50wpc stereo power amplifier for bi-amp applications. This is expected to retail in the £500-£600 range.

By all means, your friend should demo his Epos with the Creek. But he would also do well to give the home team a shot and he might be pleasantly surprised! :)

Cheers, Dex

I have heard a few Creek/Epos systems, and can honestly say that sonically they are far greater than the sum of the parts that make them.
Agreed. I am always amazed how, given the somewhat lame build quality (Creek, not Epos) and the low prices, the stuff sounds great. My listening has included the CD43 + 4330, CD53 and CD50 + 5350, and CD50 + A50i with the M5 and M12.2, along with some budget Tannoys and Acoustic Energys.

I have avoided dozens of considered upgrades or replacements the past 2+ years as a result. Though I did just build a music library that now covers one wall... ;-)

ErikL, CD43 Mk2/ 4330 Mk2/ M5/ DNM throughout

I am always amazed how, given the somewhat lame build quality (Creek, not Epos) and the low prices, the stuff sounds great.


Wait till you see the Evo and Destiny. If you close your eyes you'd swear you were holding a Musical Fidelity ;)

Do the Evo and Destiny lines come in black, like the 50 and Classic series'?

Having never groped a Musical Fidelity, I'm not sure what I'll be thinking.

I've groped some amps in my time and the Musical Fidelity felt nice.

PS I'm 91.87 percent certain the new Crrek kit is available in black.

I would also consider the Rega amplifiers. The Brio, Mira as well as the Cursa/Maia pre/power are all excellent.

Brad.

PS I'm 91.87 percent certain the new Crrek kit is available in black

Yes, most sites on which the Destiny series are offered do mention a black version of the new range as well. I'm not too sure about finish options on the EVO series, though. Nice button lay out, btw. Reminds me of some Italian brand...(Audio Analogue?)

The EVO series is the new entry level line of Creek amplifiers and CD players. The 5350SE is now in the 'classic' range and called classic 5350. If anyone was not sure. The Destiny is Creek's top flight range.

In someways I regret selling my 5350SE. The phono boards really are excellent.

Creek employ an ex employee of Audio Analogue (I think he co founded Audio Analogue). May explain the styling.

Brad.

They are available in black. The new EVO CD player is ridiculous. Made me laugh out loud when I heard it. Splendid VFM indeed.

The new EVO CD player....made me laugh out loud when I heard it.
What was the fun part in the audition?
I have to admit I haven't heard much of Creek's later products, but I have enjoyed listening to a CAS4040 amplifier for many years.

I haven't heard the Creeks, but I did own a Mira3 for two years before recently switching to a Heed Luna/Canopus monoblock pre/power combo, which are simply streets ahead of the Rega in my system. And I fully expect that the Obelisk will be better still.

Dex

The fun part... All of it, fabulous, I can't believe what they've managed to do for a £500 box, it really was impressive. I laughed because of how much better it was than the CDP was playing before it. I'm not going to comment on the other CDP because it belonged to someone else who was selling it, but it was a £2k player.

The fun part... All of it, fabulous, I can't believe what they've managed to do for a £500 box, it really was impressive.

Sounds like the EVO could give the new Rega Apollo a real run for the money at that price-point! :cool:

indeed.

They are available in black. The new EVO CD player is ridiculous. Made me laugh out loud when I heard it. Splendid VFM indeed.


That would make fore great advertising copy,
The New Evo range by Creek. It's ridiculous!

The 5350SE power amp stage features 4 output devices (2 per channel), a good sized torrodial transformer (about 250VA) and a multiple bank of smoothing capacitors totalling over 30,000 micro Farads. This gives the 5350SE plenty of current, with a power output of 85W per channel into 8 Ohms. 150W into 4 Ohms. It has enough grunt to power the majority of speakers.Brad.

Erm, the 5350SE actually runs 8 100V/50A output devices (Mosfet's), Fairchild type HUF76639P3, 4 per channel.

Data sheet here: http://www.fairchildsemi.com/ds/HU/HUF76639P3.pdf

The output configuration of the 5350SE is closer to a SS version of single-ended than PP, with only one P-channel Mosfet being used as a current source for the 4 N-channel output devices. This might explain it's tube-like smoothness with good solid bottom end.

Sorry, yes I meant to say 4 output devices per channel. The older Creek designs (4330, 5250 etc) were 4 in total (2 per channel). Sorry for the confusion.

Thanks for the info on MOSFETS used in the 5350SE.

From what I can remember of the sound, the midrange was as clean and smooth as I have ever heard from solid state. The trebble was pretty smooth as well. Timing was spot on. However, the bass was slightly shy. Firm yes, but slightly shy. I think this may be due to the passive pre and not the power amp stage. I never heard the 5350SE with the optional gain boards, so can not comment on how they transform the sound.

Brad.

I have some Creek and Epos,they sound superb together,but another amp to add to the list is the Sonneteer Campion,the amp is a steal,I can't believe the sound it produces with Neat speakers...awesome.

Nait 5i is best option

Regards

TC

I own a Nait 5i, but having heard the Creek 5350SE with the Epos speakers, I've got to recommend the Creek. There was some serious synergy going on there that I would not want to fool with.

OK, now I have the Creek 5350SE with my Shahinian Arc and my friend bought a Nait 5i.

The End?

Good choice, but do you like it?

Good choice. One of my favorite integrated amps. Music just has a wonderful sense of flow through the 5350SE. It produces a good amount of current as well which will help with the Arc's.

I have a pre production Heed Obelisk at the shop and can say that it is quite sweet. There will be an outboard power supply available and a matching amp to bi-amp. Evidently there will be two Obelisk, one basic without the above mentioned upgrades and one with. (think Rega Brio vs. Mira or Cyrus 6 vs. 8) I also think the small Heed Luna and Canopus are amazing! Don't let the small size fool you! Heed Indeed!

Yes, the Obelisk will be a stunner.

Yesterday was a party in the Heed Audio office with fine wines!:)
Happy New Year!

I have been looking into an intergrated to replace a multibox Naim system as I have moved in with gf and rented out my house.

I have to say that the Creek looks to be the last of its breed. Where once any top intergrated would also 'intergrate' phono amp and headphone amp, there just are not many left. Actualy can't think of any others.

Nait 5i is a great amp, but as close as these two are on sound quality (I am assuming this based on the previous comments - no one has said either is better by any degree) I would have no worries grabbing the Creek!

The Destiny intergrated looks to be pretty cool, BUT I am not sure of the pricing and some of the differences are cosmetic, so it might not be as good a value for money as the 5350.

Anyone have retail price info on 5350SE and Destiny Int?

Adam

Adam, the 5350SE has been slighlty revised (the record knob has been taken out and the pre and power PCB's are now hard wired together internally).

It is still pretty much the same amp but is now called 'classic' 5350SE. It retails in the UK for £850. 5350SE's rarely come up for sale, but go for around the £400 mark when they do (perhaps 1 or 2 per year in the UK).

The Destiny is another beast really. The optional phono card is all together different (costs about £350), the pre amp arrangement is completley different (you can run in either passive or active) and the power amp is more powerful.

What a price is this!!
Click here (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=012&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&viewitem=&item=220073751087&rd=1&rd=1)

I saw that auction a few days ago and emailed the seller. He was not willing to do local collection. A scam I feel.

...and zero feedback seller!

What is the price of a Creek like this on the s/h market?

Check out the photo in this auction on New Zealands Trademe. Look familier?
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=84441415

Without doubt I think the UK Creek Auctions were a scam. His reply was quite funny saying that he worked shifts and could not be around for pick up.

5350SE's are worth 400-450 Pounds on the second hand market.

I bought my amp for about 500 with MC/SE (not in U.K., where the price are a bit different), but this bid really surprised.
Thanks!

I have a Creek Destiny in black (£1200) and for the money it is superb and looks very cool in black. Bass is deep tight, lush detailed mid and sweet extended highs and will push up to 180w per channel.