transparency, remote

need good, short cable runs

I bought this from Audio Advisor used based on reviews here and elsewhere. I figured I could sell it on ebay for more than I paid for it if I didn't like it. Was I surprised when I put this in my system. The sound became much cleaner with extended range over my Van Alstine Super Pas 3 preamp. I am very impressed with this product.

Equipment:

VAC PA100100 Tube Amp
Quad ESL-63 Speakers
Marantz 63se CD
MSB Link DAC III w PSU
Kimber Hero and 4VX cables

Similar Products Used:

AVA Super PAS 3

Saved me 1700 bucks.

None yet.

I was shampooing my living room carpet when the package from Audio Advisor arrived. Took a break to connect it between my NAD C540 and two NAD 214's driving a pair of Boston Acoustic VR40's. Many hours later, my butt's soaked and my carpet is forgotten. I'm floored, literally!

I'll spare you the usual audiophile crap. My NAD 917 preamp is on the scrap heap, BAT is not getting my 2K for a VK3i. If you want music, get one before Creek gets wise and adds 10 pounds of junk parts and 1000 bucks to the price. If you want electronic crud, buy anything else.

Similar Products Used:

None, first passive preamp.

No noise & distortion. Cheapest preamp w/o coloration.

no on/off option, very tight RCA connections.

This passive preamp does not deserve a 1 speaker review. It certainly not the weakest link in a system; it just reveals other components' weakness. I have a chance to test this and the CJ PF2L. The CJ is more dynamic, wider soundstage and ambient, plus I can control the L/R balance. However, I pick the Creek because does not add any character in the sound. When I change my CD or amp, or tubes, It shows. So system matching is important.

amplifications
Pass Aleph 5
Counterpoint SA220
CJ PF2L
B&W 801 vIII
Magnepan MMG

Similar Products Used:

CJ PF2L

Almost totally transparent when coupled with SOME source components, cheaper than an equally transparent active pre-amp

Can present all kinds of problems in various situations

I needed to update my review because since writing it (this was right after a long session listening to my turntable/phono pre-amp through the Creek), I have discovered that it causes serious problem when I run my DAC through it. My Birdland Audio DAC itself has a gain stage in the analog output, plus a passive volume attenuator. The consecutive attenuators was hurting the signal flow. (Maybe some impedance problems, as well, but I won't delve into this, because I don't understand it well enough to be articulate. Being an audio freak does not necessarily mean that I know my ass from a hole in the ground, though I should.) My basis for comparison was plugging the DAC directly into my amp--it sounds about ten times better. As for what's happening to the phono signal when it goes through the Creek, I have no idea, because I have no basis for comparison, but it sounds good enough to me, so I won't obsess over it. My temporary solution to the digital source problem is to hook the DAC and the Creek both to my amp, using a Y adaptor. We'll see if this works. Anyway, I'm not going to lower my rating on the Creek, but it, like all passive pre-amps, I think, can be a bit of a problem child in some systems. It's worth trying, though, because if it works, you've saved a lot of money you'd have to spend to get a high-quality active pre-amp.

Doesn't color the sound, easy/simple to use, inexpensive for a pre-amp

Limited inputs, not exactly classy looking, cheap remote

I bought the OBH-12 from Audio Advisor ($270), and I use it as the preamp to drive the amplifier in my Marantz 2270 receiver. At first I was concerned that the little unit wouldn't sound good since it doesn't serve as a buffer between the source and amp, and I wasn't sure if my receiver's amplifier had a high enough gain to support it. Well, it worked out fine, and this product sounds . It makes my system sound a little more transparent and liquidy than before. The first unit I received was defective, though, with a flickering LED indicator. The second unit I tried has no such vice.

Also, all other remotes you might own will cause the Creek to react, so don't be worried by this.

In the end, this is a nice passive unit that is a good buy for those who need purist, passive control on a tight budget, or those who want to add remote capabilities to their non-remote equipment.

It really doesn't add much to the sound (although my bass is now tighter, but it could be my new cables), and is a good example of the form following function, and simpler is better philosophies.

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none