Provides REMOTE VOLUME CONTROL for systems which do not have remote control volume.

None. When used appropriately. It is not a pre-amp substitute

When used in the appropriate system for the appropriate purpose the Creek OBH-10 is fantastic. Do not use it in a hi-end audiophile system. No. No. It is not a substitute for a pre amp. To thin and restricted sounding. That is not where is shines. The OBH-10 is perfect for adding REMOTE VOLUME CONTROL to 2 old and new channel systems which do not have a remote volume control. For example, the 1970's Pioneer SX-828 receiver which I use to power additional speakers for my TV which does not have a variable audio out. It is installed between the sx828 pre-out and main-in. You could also use the tape or processor loop. Here it is magic! The classic performer, sx828, now has remote control volume. The Creek OBH-10 is an excellent and relitively inexpensive solution to adding REMOTE CONTROL VOLUME.

Remote control ability. Cheap and cheerful solution for a budget system or stop gap.

Does not really seem all that passive. Too light weight. You need to put a rock or brick on it to keep it in place.

I was quite happy with this unit until I brought home a tube pre-amp for evaluation. In fairness, the Creek was a stop gap measure to get my other newly purchased audio gear working together. I had just plunked down beaucoup money on a CJ Premier 11a, Meridian 508.24 and some Nordost Blues,when the prospect of laying out more money for a class A pre-amp seemed impossible. I took a friends advise and bought the Creek. I had assumed that due to it''s passive nature, the Creek would simply pass through all the information that my Meridian could process. It doesn''t. I took home from Rik Stoet''s a Heart Control tube pre-amp for a weekend and was stunned at all the music that I was missing. The Heart is in no way a top-end unit like Hovland, Joule Electra or First Sound but it really showed me what my system was capable of. Music with the Creek now seems one dimensional and constrained. I am saving up for a very good pre-amp now.

Similar Products Used:

None.

Simplicity. Does not alter at all the program material.

Just one input, so you only can use one signal processor if it will be used as a preamp.

I got interested about this gear when I read a review article about it on Planet Hi-Fi. Then I asked to Audio Advisor if it could be used not just as a remote volume control between amp and preamp but as a preamp and they told me yes. I borrowed a VTL PR-1 tube preamp and a NAD preamp from my uncle, with my two actual amps: a classic QUAD 405 and a Parasound HCA 1000A, and also borrowed one Creek OBH-10 from a friend. My actual preamp is a NAD T750 A/V receiver with pre-outs jacks an with a very good results as a preamp. I made a test using first the VTL preamp with the NAD, then with the VTL and finally with the Creek. I repeated the same test with the Parasound in the same order. All the time I used just one signal processor, a NAD C521 CD player. At the end I repeated the test with the Creek, first with the QUAD and later with the Parasound, to be sure of what I noted. I used Erick Clapton Unplugged CD, Narada Decade CD, Schubert Symphony No. 9 with Gunter Wand and NDR-Sinfonieorchester CD and Bach Sonatas for Viola da Gamba and organ with Anner Bylsma CD. My conclussion was that even a very good preamp can change the tonal quality of a recording (or the processor that is reproducing that recording). In fact, the amps sounded a little bit different with the NAD and the VTL preamps, more smooth and detailed in the midrange with the VTL, but the detail on the music seemed to be more consistent when I used the Creek, without any loosing at all. So, I am waiting for it from Audio Advisor. If you have a high end amp and want to listen only music through a good CD player whithout any interest on tuners, tape decks or CD recorders, this is just what you need.

Similar Products Used:

NAD pream, VTL preamp.