stereonut 22

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
3 Months to 1 year

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 2.00 votes

Price Paid:  $350.00 from ebay

Summary:
This amp is really a gem for a budget system. My system comprised of Advent 1 speakers, which I bought them 1978 and they were refoamed this year, Sony CD/SACD changer (which I bought last year at $150). The system produce sound which is unbelievably detailed, warm, and most of all, such a wide sound stage. With the same system, I listened via Marantz 18 receiver, Fisher 500T receiver, Dynaco 70, and Cary SF-35. Each one has its own chartacteristic sound which are very good, but Creek out performed them with a big margin. The Cary amp which is one of the best EL84 amps is very close to Creek yet, it is somewhat soft at the top and vague in bass compared to Creek. Once in a while, I switch to one of this receivers or amps, only to appreciate the sound of Creek. Of course, if you spend many grands, you might be able to improve the sound, but the difference may be very minimal compared to what you spent. If you are pursuiing for pure perfect sound, if there is, you can spend as much as you can, if you can afford, but if you like to enjoy music, you can achieve it without exhorbitant spending. The Advent 1 speakers, you can get them with less than $100 in Ebay and if you are lucky you can get the original Advent speakers with classic look. Just make sure the cones are refoamed (you can buy a kit at ebay at around $20 and it is not difficult at all). The CD player is amazing. Wonder how they can make such good sound with such low price. I do not use fancy cables. I use Radio Shack speaker cables and audio cables. You can enjoy all kinds of music hours without any fatigue.

Strengths:
Detailed yet sweet sound.

Weaknesses:
Not experienced, but it may lack steam if used with very low efficiency speakers

hagenation

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
1 to 3 months

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 1.00 votes

Price Paid:  $400.00 from audiogon

Summary:
After my 100w Rotel RA 985 integrated went down with a bad relay (after eight solid years of use) I was totally depressed. I live for music. While I waited for my Rotel to come back from the shop I found a good deal on a Creek 4330r. I have B&W DM601s in my small apartment, so I don't go too loud. The Creek is a perfect fit. What a glorious sweet sound -- just pure music. It's not as powerful as my Rotel. Nor as quick on transients or as deep in the bass -- even the soundfield width is smaller. But there is something so right about the music. It's delicious. It's totally smooth and warm, every note inviting you in. And so I'm off to enjoy hours of listening nirvana.

Strengths:
rich layers of detail and endlessly listenable

Weaknesses:
doesn't like to be pushed hard; tough to get a solid connection on one of the jacks.

Similar Products Used:
Rotel, NAD, Pioneer, Sunfire, Adcom

aroostookme

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
3 Months to 1 year

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 2.00 votes

Price Paid:  $200.00 from eBay

Summary:
I like this amp as much as any other reviewer here. I would add that it outdoes the Cambridge Audio integrate amps easily.

It also approaches, in sound, the substantially heavier and better built Music Hall Mambo. My Mambo is just a joy to look at and lift. Heavy and even the power cord is audiophile grade. But the Creek feels like an empty box and seems impossibly underweight and small to do what it does.

That may have something to do with why everyone finds this amp amazing. The sound and the lack of mass and audiophile feel to the product.

Here's what it it won't do for you. It won't power a set of Snell Type A's or a set of Kef Reference 3's, or the Dahlquist 10's, or AR 3A's, or similar low efficiency speakers that do sound fantastic with larger amps. Even with less perfect, but more powerful amps.

However, this Creek makes both my Proac 1sc's and my Proac 2.5's sing. If you consider the musicality and value in a Proac - Creek - Rega Planet system it boggles the mind you could have sound at this level for so little.

As for the Music Hall, it makes the larger speakers I listed here sing where the Creek falls down. But, if you are looking to add more power to the Creek all you have to do is choose the more recent model which has more than twice the 4330's output.

Strengths:
Price and purity

Weaknesses:
Not the little train that could, as many people indicate. Stay away from pairing it with inefficient speakers (and many audio speaker legends are just that). But in a fair fight this is one heck of a contestant.

Similar Products Used:
Music Hall Mambo, Cambridge Audio integrateds (several), Dynaco ST-70, Adcom amps (several), NAD C-270 & C-350 combo.

BradNad

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
3 Months to 1 year

Visitors rate this review
3.67 of 5, 3.00 votes

Price Paid:  $350.00 from Creek Audio

Summary:
After using a Mike Creek designed Cambridge Audio A3i for around three years, when the time came to upgrade amplification, my choice was always going to be slightly biased. I had always enjoyed listening to Creek amps. It has been their ability to sound balanced across the entire frequency range, but at the same time allowing the listener get right to the heart of the music which orientated me towards the brand. They never fatigue and offer superb levels of detail and insight. When I first started using the 4330R Mk2, it drove a pair of B&W 303's. The front end was an Arcam CD72. It simply made the 303's sing. Listening was a pleasure. the 4330 just got on with it's job: making great music. When i eventually upgraded the 303's to the more costly B&W CDM 1 NT's, I found the 4330 a little out of steam. There was a lack of bass, drive and presence. It became quite obvious that this little amplifier prefered easier loads. Not giving up on this gem of an amp, I purchased the Creek A43 Mk2 Power Amplifier. This is a 50W/channel power amp with identical gain to the 4330. It is perfect for biamping with the 4330. I connected the 4330 to the Nautilus tweeters and the A43 to the bass drivers. I turned on and the drive, speed and bass was back! At the same time the trebble became sweeter and the midrange so, so clear! I was stunned. The passive front end in this amp allows your source to tell the complete story. It is important therefore to use low capcitance, short interconnects between CD player and amp for best results. It is also a good idea to buy the best CD player you can afford! (I am now using an Arcam FMJ CD23T). In short this little amplifier offers a transparent and balanced sound quality that few can match (at any price!). If you expect foundation breaking bass then you may well have come to the wrong place. This amp is all about balance and pure musicality. Very much a product for purists who crave for purity, clarity and refinement. However, do not get me wrong, this amp can party as well. Infact, it's dynamics are one of it's strong points. A great amp, from a designer who knows how to make great sounding products at affordable prices.

Strengths:
Neutral, perfect balance accross entire frequency range. High levels of detail and transparency. Clean, clear and smooth highs. Warm midrange with fine detail and clarity. Good bass, which is tight and defined. Brilliant musicality.

Weaknesses:
Not the best at driving larger, less efficient speakers. However, if you add the A43, and biamp, the set-up will drive just about anything.

Similar Products Used:
Arcam, Cyrus, Naim, Rotel, Nad, Cambridge Audio, Linn, Rega, Marantz etc etc...

Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
Bought this little performer about year ago. The 4330R MKII has to be the best amplifier for so little money that I've bought or used. Transparent, detail and possess such a oh-so-right timing. Compared to the same price bracket gears - say Audiolab 8000, Arcam DiVA65 etc, the Creek beats em hands down...it even beat the Naim Nait 3. I could safely say that the 4330 has got 90% music and excitement of my other Naim Pre/Power.

Strengths:
Timing, transparency, detail etc

Weaknesses:
For the money - U gotta be kidding!

Similar Products Used:
Musical Fidelity A100, Audiolab 8000A, Naim Nait 3