2. amps-preamps
  3. 1442243626

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's frustrating. And, strangely, I'm still open to buying another Creek. But it's unacceptable. I have an old Denon integrated (early 90s) that still works. I really love the Creek but am a little shy in buying another.

I know Creek and Music Hall are somewhat affiliated (yet I don't understand the relationship exactly).

My 5350 sounds a dream; I'm just tired of cracking it open every 6 months to clean it. Obnoxious!
jond's avatar
jond
5,916 posts
 
Elevick doesn't Music Hall import Creek? It's possible even likely that both your amp and the OP's were built by Creek.
zd542
5,339 posts
 
"09-14-15: Jond
Elevick doesn't Music Hall import Creek? It's possible even likely that both your amp and the OP's were built by Creek.
Jond (System | Reviews | Threads | Answers | This Thread)"

They're completely different. The Creek is made in the UK and the Music Hall is made somewhere in Asia.

Jbhiller,

Fix your 5350. I put mine next to a bunch of integrated's in the same price range and they all fell short. Having to clean it every 6 months is a better option than settling for something that doesn't sound as good.
jaxwired
232 posts
 
There's a bryston b100 on here now just over your limit, but you should be able to talk him down he's way high. That amp will be an improvement over the creek IMO and comes with a transferable warranty for like a decade (which you won't likely ever need).
akg_ca's avatar
akg_ca
2,320 posts
 
System synergy is everything..... You know when you find it .
There are a buzzilion choices out there but narrowing down to those select few requires some patience and personal auditions.

I've owned both the Totem Arros and Forests simultaneously in prior systems. I've auditioned many contenders and pretenders with them.
For my select coin .... SIMAUDIO integrated amp .... Full stop.

These are frequently paired up with Totems at audio expos, and since both hail from Montreal, they are frequently voiced with each other's kit .
Totem's own (discontinued) AMBER integrated amp was a joint development with SIMAUDIO based on the matters design.

To raise it up another notch, slide in a matched SIMAUDIO Cdp and DAC.
But don't scrimp and nickel-n-dime the ICs with any SIMAUDIO product ... They are very revealing and using crap cables with them will create a predictable matched result accordingly.

Last point....

The ARROs perform at their max using Totems own TRESS speaker cable which is a near clone of CHORD's Rumour or Oddysey ( all are silver plated copper). I used both with the Arros with a slight personal slant toward the TRESS (that's what the Arros are apparently internally wired with)
More to discover