Listening to the Creek 4040A
Contents
Built around an Infineon Merus class D amplifier unit, the Creek4040A sounds a bit drier than most class A/B amplifiers in the same price range. This is quite audible in the multi-venue test, especially when compared to the Cambridge Audio in that test. Despite this, reverberation in the playback is excellent. The dryness manifests itself more in ‘less round and full’ than in a short reverb.
Compared to a more expensive amplifier in 2500 Euro range, you mainly lose out on sound depth. The biggest difference is in the layering of sound, in individual notes. A better amp extracts more texture from the sound. This is mainly due to the built-in DAC.
The benchmark is a class up
That a comparison with more expensive amplifiers comes to mind is no accident. The sound detaches nicely from the speakers and the stereo image extends far left and right beyond the speakers. Placement of instruments in the stereo image is precise and everything fits the image perfectly. There is so much ease and control that it is sometimes quite hard to believe that there is a 1000 Euro amplifier playing. There is audibly a very quiet background and the amp does not glare or compress with dynamic music.
Rhythmically complex music like ‘Two Against Nature’ or the layering of ‘Blackcrow Hits Shoe Shine City’ goes effortlessly. The ease and calmness with which the amp performs all the music is amazing, not only for this price level. Rhythmically strong, with plenty of drive, but without being intrusive or that it’s going to fray anywhere. Perhaps this is the ‘English HiFi DNA’, with an emphasis on rhythmic character and with very precise timing in the sound across all frequencies, from treble to bass.
The Creek’s sound is clear and transparent. The only criticism is that the bass is not very clearly defined, there is little structure audible in the bass tones compared to the mid and treble.
Playing records
I was only able to test vinyl with the Graham Slee Reflex C preamp on the analogue line in. The record player preamp in the Creek is not suitable for the MC element in the Rega record player.
The vinyl playback is very pleasant. Nicely coherent, with lots of feeling in voices and instruments. The stereo image is comparable in scope to the digital USB playback. In rhythmic character, the Rega and Creek fit well together and the combination provides comfort and pleasure on a dark, rainy Sunday.
