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Advice on New Integrated Amplifier

I need some advice on cleaning up my current system, which is:

Integrated Amplifier: Creek 5350 SE (with phono card)
Turntable: Roksan Radius 5
Loudspeakers: Totem Arro
Digital: iTunes/Spotify via wifi only

I am having a problem with the Creek. One channel drops out (scratchy for a bit then gone) intermittently. I emailed Mike Creek about it, posted on these forums before, and conducted research. It seems the ribbon connectors need to be cleaned frequently. Mike Creek said to open the unit and blow out the female receptacles. That didn't work too well so I used compressed air and deoxit. I've done this 3 times in 18 months. So, every six months I need to crack open this integrated to keep it working. Ugh.

I took the unit to a local repair shop in Chicago. They could find nothing wrong with it. Go figure. They were not interested in hardwiring each of the 16 pin connectors involved. Neither am I and I'm not too bad with a soldering iron.

So, I'm likely in need an integrated amplifier. I'm thinking that I need the following:

- < $2k in cost (new or used)
- Decent ability to drive 4-6 ohm loads
- A & B speaker outs because I drive a main set (Totem Arros) and another in my office (Monitor Audio in ceiling units)

I may also think about upgrading my Totem Arros to Tannoy Revolution XT 6Fs (http://tannoy.com/residential/#!products_1547)

I listen to a broad spectrum of music including:

Rock/Pop
Blues/Folk
Jazz

I would really appreciate the advice of forum users! PS: I bought the Creek used from Audiogon and have had issues since I got it so there's no warranty for me. I love the sound of it and its simplicity.
128x128jbhiller
jbhiller's avatar
jbhiller OP
1,445 posts
 
It was Naim separates--preamplfier and amp. Pretty pricey..somewhere north of $5/7k for both, maybe more.

Very nice stuff. Something I missed with the Naim stuff that I get from my Creek.

I received my Alps switch from Creek today. $150 and I'm going to have to install it. I'm thinking of hiring a pro and having her clean things up and check the bias. I may buy a Creek EVO 100A and later sell the 5350se. It's such a great box in great shape.
ghosthouse's avatar
ghosthouse
4,319 posts
 
Thanks for the reply, Jb. Good luck with installing that Alps. Getting the unit fully checked out and cleaned when you have it in sounds like a good idea.
zd542
5,339 posts
 
"I may buy a Creek EVO 100A and later sell the 5350se. It's such a great box in great shape."

I'm not saying that's a bad idea, but I would take my time and not rush into it. The EVO 100A is very different from the 5350. Here's a list of things they changed.

-The 100a uses and active line stage instead of the passive like in the 5350. In my opinion, going passive is what made the 5350 so special. Its difficult and costly to build a good active line stage, so if you can't get a really good one for some reason, a passive is usually the way to go. Also, if you need an active LS for some reason, you can just get an upgrade card from Creek.

The 5350 was made in the UK, where as the 100A is made in Asia. (I forget which country.)

The 5350 keeps the amp and preamp sections completely separate. That's why there's jumpers on the back. It can be used as either an amp or preamp only. And because of the external jumpers, the signal doesn't run through both sections. The 100a doesn't have this feature.

The 5350 uses Mosfet's in the amp, and the 100A uses bipolar transistors. Its not better or worse, but different. Generally speaking, there's usually a large sonic difference between those 2 types of transistors.

I think that list covers all the major differences between the 2. If I were you, I would want to demo the new Creek first in my own system before buying it. If you don't have a local dealer, Give The Cable Company a call. They're a Creek dealer and should be able to send you one for demo.
darkstar1
180 posts
 
Personal a really good bang for the buck is fixing or even upgrading parts for the creek since you already like it. Beyond that I would suggest LFD, Exposure, Naim. Older Exposure is a good deal. If you upgrade to the speakers you are talking about all theses choices will have a good chance of being a good match.

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