Jumpers for Integrated Amps: What are you guys using?

Thanks for all the response everyone... I understand now.

As for the card some of you were referring to, I believe you are talking about the phono stage? It's an option on Creek integrateds as it is a board that connects inside the unit. When installed, it takes the place of the Aux input and becomes a phono input. 

"Your admonishment to be "really careful" was needlessly scary. Dick"

I think you were the only one that was scared. You do seem to be shaken up over all this. If you actually had one of these amps, you would know why I recommend caution. You can easily run out of gain and/or roll the highs off, and I've had that happen. Why would it not be something to consider?

"as opposed to a passive line stage which only cuts the gain available from the source"

A passive doesn't add or take away anything, that's why its called a passive. It can only work with what's given, and if you put an extra pairs of IC's in the path, you take away from what it has to work with.

"My point to the OP was that the line stage portion of the Creek (active or passive) still needs to be connected to the amplifier portion. That’s what the included jumpers do and they can be replaced with better connectors."

I don't remember you talking about better connectors until I brought them up in my last post. You were talking about IC's. There's a difference. Creek does not put the jumpers on the outside so they can be replaced with better ones. They do it so the amp or preamp section can be completely bypassed.

If you're looking to tweak for SQ, it would probably be a good idea to pull the jumpers out and clean them with a good contact cleaner. After about 10-15 years the silver jumpers will be tarnished. Doing that will make a difference in SQ.

I do know that Creek makes a  phono card that can be inserted in place of the Aux input. 

I don't know wether insertion of a SHORT IC would make an improvement with this integrated, however can't believe it would hurt to try. In this case we are talking a 5" IC.  

JSB, please provide your thoughts after trying the PBJs.  

For guidance, my Anthem I225 Integrated Amplifier does not utilize exterior jumpers. 

PREAMPLIFIER
Input Resistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 kΩ
Output Resistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 560 Ω (Pre Out), 100 Ω (Rec Out)
Rated Input. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.0 Vrms
Maximum Input. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7.6 Vrms
Minimum Load . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 kΩ
Rated Output (100 kΩ load). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.0 Vrms
Maximum Output . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7.6 Vrms
Headphone Output. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 500 mW into 32 Ω at 0.03% THD+N
Crosstalk (at 1 kHz) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75 dB between channels, 72 dB between inputs
XLR Pin Configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pin 1: Ground, Pin 2: Positive, Pin 3: Negative
Frequency Response and Bandwidth . . . . . . . . 20 Hz to 20 kHz (+0, -0.1 dB), 1 Hz to 170 kHz (+0, -3 dB)
THD+N (at Rated Input & Output) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.003% (80 kHz BW)
IMD (CCIF at 15 kHz & 16 kHz). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.0005%
S/N Ratio (ref. 2.0 Vrms, IEC-A filter) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102 dB

N

I think you were the only one that was scared. You do seem to be shaken up over all this

Not really.  Just trying to convey accurate information.  The OP asked a question about what difference active or passive made and I answered his question.

A passive doesn't add or take away anything, that's why its called a passive

I guess your volume control doesn't do anything then.

You were talking about IC's. There's a difference. Creek does not put the jumpers on the outside so they can be replaced with better ones. They do it so the amp or preamp section can be completely bypassed.

There is a difference in the way they look but the function is the same.  Creek probably doesn't intend for them to be replaced but people do it all the time with no adverse effects.  That's why you can buy 5-6" interconnects.  Yes, they use jumpers so the amp or preamp can be bypassed.  I also agree that all connectors benefit by occasional cleaning.

In any event, I'm not going to turn this thread into a pissing contest.

To the OP, I would also like to hear the results of your replacing the jumpers with the Kimbers.  Best of luck.  Dick