Creek Audio 5350 SE - First Impressions
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New Toy
Ever since getting my CRS+ from HearingImpared, I've been committing a terribly travesty by running them off solid but inferior electronics: a Parasound P/HP 850 and an Adcom GFA-535. Both are nice pieces of electronics which have served me well since first receiving them back in 06-07. They originally started out in my primary system, driving my SDA-1Bs. Getting fed up with the soundstage, I finally upgraded to my current pre, the Promitheus TVC SE which has been absolutely stellar; a completely black background and a decent mating with my DAC provides an incredibly detailed soundstage that was much deeper than what the Parasound can produce.
As I started listening to more and more classical pieces I became aware that the dynamics weren't quite as, well, 'convincing' as they should be. Having heard some truly stellar systems, I found my kettle drums lacking in intensity. They were there but weren't particularly convincing. Furthermore, on acapella tracks there was a certain grittiness to the singers voice which I first attributed to the speakers. However, after upgrading to the Rotel RB-980BX, I discovered the adcom was certainly the culprit in both cases. Both Parasound and Adcom now free of reference duties, they gathered dust while my Trends Audio TA-10 tripath integrated was driving a set of Polk Monitor 5's that had been conscripted into computer duty.
Finally, a pair of CRS+'s popped up in the flee market and I pounced. I'd always coveted a pair; I had heard them some time ago and loved the sound. Besides, they were SDAs and I had visions of them replacing my Montior 5's in my computer rig where, as a software developer, I spend a lot of time in front. As Tripath-based amps aren't common ground, I dusted off my Adcom and Parasound and put them back into duty.
My how they sounded! The trucked along well, pushing that sweet SDA sound that many of us have grown to love. And for a couple of years I was content.
However, I've grown too accustomed to the sound of my primary sound. I missed the dark background, the firmness of the bass and most of all: the depth of the sound stage. I wanted to close my eyes and drift away, imagining myself in front of a stage, alone, as wonderful music swept over me. I could achieve about 85% of that with the Parasound/Adcom combo, but I finally decided it was time to move on.
Having done separates, I decided I would try to upgrade both parts of my system at once with a decent integrated. I loads of research trying to determine which would give me the most bang for the buck, finally settling on a Musical Fidelity A3.2CR as my first choice, with other 'runner ups' in reserve to also look for should I be unable to find one.
I staked out Agon, posted here, perused craigslist to no avail. My runner ups were either unavailable as well or priced higher than I preferred to pay. I finally took to scouring the recently submitted integrateds on Agon every day, looking for something, anything, that would meet my criteria.
Sure enough, four days ago, a Creek Audio 5350SE popped up on Agon. I hadn't heard much about them in general, except that were a well regarded British audio maker. I took some time out from lunch to research a bit more about the piece.
Wow. Talk about flattering reviews! I immediately sent a message, laying dibs on it pending confirmation from Creek and Polk that it was common ground. An email and a phone call later, I submitted my bid and won it. Due to the proximity of the seller, the amp arrived today, just two days after I purchased it... and boy was it worth it. Unplugging the Ol' Guard, I hooked up the Creek and turned it on...
It's truly a night and day difference. The level of detail I was missing and the depth of the soundstage is almost stupifying. It reminds me of the first time I heard a set of SDAs play one of my favorite albums, Nickel Creek's self-titled album. It just completely blows me away!
The sound stage immediately gained the depth that the old arrangement was missing. What's more surprising is the depth of it: I need to do some more critical listening but I'm fairly convinced the accuracy and size of it exceeds my current combination on my main rig. It's not something I was expecting.
The bass and dynamics also immediately improved. The attack is now there, if not quite the impact I'm used to on my large system. I believe that's more of a limitation of the the CRS+ in comparison to the SDA-1Bs than an inadequacy of the Creek. While the dynamics aren't as pronounced as in the main system, the level of control of complex bass sections is superior to my Rotel in my main system, let alone my poor Adcom.
I think the biggest gain so far is just how much better over all the Creek sounds. I can't confirm this without more critical listening than a single hour's worth but I have a suspicion that the Creek is far superior to my main system's electronics as well. It just sounds so damn good in every way, far better than I was hoping let alone expecting.
If you guys ever get the chance to grab a Creek Audio 5350 SE, GET ONE! I've been shocked at its performance thus far and have the feeling that I'm thoroughly going to enjoy this one!
Ever since getting my CRS+ from HearingImpared, I've been committing a terribly travesty by running them off solid but inferior electronics: a Parasound P/HP 850 and an Adcom GFA-535. Both are nice pieces of electronics which have served me well since first receiving them back in 06-07. They originally started out in my primary system, driving my SDA-1Bs. Getting fed up with the soundstage, I finally upgraded to my current pre, the Promitheus TVC SE which has been absolutely stellar; a completely black background and a decent mating with my DAC provides an incredibly detailed soundstage that was much deeper than what the Parasound can produce.
As I started listening to more and more classical pieces I became aware that the dynamics weren't quite as, well, 'convincing' as they should be. Having heard some truly stellar systems, I found my kettle drums lacking in intensity. They were there but weren't particularly convincing. Furthermore, on acapella tracks there was a certain grittiness to the singers voice which I first attributed to the speakers. However, after upgrading to the Rotel RB-980BX, I discovered the adcom was certainly the culprit in both cases. Both Parasound and Adcom now free of reference duties, they gathered dust while my Trends Audio TA-10 tripath integrated was driving a set of Polk Monitor 5's that had been conscripted into computer duty.
Finally, a pair of CRS+'s popped up in the flee market and I pounced. I'd always coveted a pair; I had heard them some time ago and loved the sound. Besides, they were SDAs and I had visions of them replacing my Montior 5's in my computer rig where, as a software developer, I spend a lot of time in front. As Tripath-based amps aren't common ground, I dusted off my Adcom and Parasound and put them back into duty.
My how they sounded! The trucked along well, pushing that sweet SDA sound that many of us have grown to love. And for a couple of years I was content.
However, I've grown too accustomed to the sound of my primary sound. I missed the dark background, the firmness of the bass and most of all: the depth of the sound stage. I wanted to close my eyes and drift away, imagining myself in front of a stage, alone, as wonderful music swept over me. I could achieve about 85% of that with the Parasound/Adcom combo, but I finally decided it was time to move on.
Having done separates, I decided I would try to upgrade both parts of my system at once with a decent integrated. I loads of research trying to determine which would give me the most bang for the buck, finally settling on a Musical Fidelity A3.2CR as my first choice, with other 'runner ups' in reserve to also look for should I be unable to find one.
I staked out Agon, posted here, perused craigslist to no avail. My runner ups were either unavailable as well or priced higher than I preferred to pay. I finally took to scouring the recently submitted integrateds on Agon every day, looking for something, anything, that would meet my criteria.
Sure enough, four days ago, a Creek Audio 5350SE popped up on Agon. I hadn't heard much about them in general, except that were a well regarded British audio maker. I took some time out from lunch to research a bit more about the piece.
Wow. Talk about flattering reviews! I immediately sent a message, laying dibs on it pending confirmation from Creek and Polk that it was common ground. An email and a phone call later, I submitted my bid and won it. Due to the proximity of the seller, the amp arrived today, just two days after I purchased it... and boy was it worth it. Unplugging the Ol' Guard, I hooked up the Creek and turned it on...
It's truly a night and day difference. The level of detail I was missing and the depth of the soundstage is almost stupifying. It reminds me of the first time I heard a set of SDAs play one of my favorite albums, Nickel Creek's self-titled album. It just completely blows me away!
The sound stage immediately gained the depth that the old arrangement was missing. What's more surprising is the depth of it: I need to do some more critical listening but I'm fairly convinced the accuracy and size of it exceeds my current combination on my main rig. It's not something I was expecting.
The bass and dynamics also immediately improved. The attack is now there, if not quite the impact I'm used to on my large system. I believe that's more of a limitation of the the CRS+ in comparison to the SDA-1Bs than an inadequacy of the Creek. While the dynamics aren't as pronounced as in the main system, the level of control of complex bass sections is superior to my Rotel in my main system, let alone my poor Adcom.
I think the biggest gain so far is just how much better over all the Creek sounds. I can't confirm this without more critical listening than a single hour's worth but I have a suspicion that the Creek is far superior to my main system's electronics as well. It just sounds so damn good in every way, far better than I was hoping let alone expecting.
If you guys ever get the chance to grab a Creek Audio 5350 SE, GET ONE! I've been shocked at its performance thus far and have the feeling that I'm thoroughly going to enjoy this one!
Lovin that music year after year.
Main 2 Channel System
Polk SDA-1B,
Promitheus Audio TVC SE,
Rotel RB-980BX,
OPPO DV-970HD,
Lite Audio DAC AH,
IXOS XHA305 Interconnects
Computer Rig
Polk SDA CRS+,
Creek Audio 5350 SE,
Morrow Audio MA1 Interconnect,
HRT Music Streamer II
Main 2 Channel System
Polk SDA-1B,
Promitheus Audio TVC SE,
Rotel RB-980BX,
OPPO DV-970HD,
Lite Audio DAC AH,
IXOS XHA305 Interconnects
Computer Rig
Polk SDA CRS+,
Creek Audio 5350 SE,
Morrow Audio MA1 Interconnect,
HRT Music Streamer II