Creek CAS 4040 vs A&R Cambridge A60.

[gerlando]

Creek CAS 4040 vs A&R Cambridge A60.

They seem very similar.
Any difference?

Many thanks.
Mauro

[walpurgis]

I'd sooner have the Creek.

[hifi_dave]

The Creek was a lot less expensive than the A60 back in the day.

Just after Mike Creek delivered the first 4040, I had a conversation with John Dawson, the designer of the A60 and he told me, emphatically, that the Creek 4040 "couldn't be manufactured for the price" - "impossible to make it in the UK for the money" etc, etc. The Creek took the majority of our normal A60 sales, back then because it was so good. It was part of our best selling systems - Rega, Creek and HB1.

[gerlando]

At the moment, price is quite similar for both.

[Macca]

I've had both, preferred the A60. It was a long time ago, though. The Creek sounded slightly 'stodgy' by comparison, but some might say warmer or fuller.

[walpurgis]

I've had both, preferred the A60. It was a long time ago, though. The Creek sounded slightly 'stodgy' by comparison, but some might say warmer or fuller.

Strange. I found the Creek more lively.

[Macca]

It's going to depend on the partnering equipment to some extent. I was vinyl only back then, suspect a more clinical-sounding cartridge than my Nagaoka would have opened up the Creek a bit. Just because it is vintage kit now doesn't mean you don't have to pay attention to system matching.

I found that a Denon PMA250 UK SE was better than either the Creek or the A&R.

[walpurgis]

I found that a Denon PMA250 UK SE was better than either the Creek or the A&R.

Very true and sells for about half as much. The PMA-350SE is even better for the same sort of money.

[Macca]

Very true and sells for about half as much. The PMA-350SE is even better for the same sort of money.

Agree providing it is the earlier version. The Mk2 and above don't have the magic, although they do subjectively have 'more bass'.

[Macca]

These are the good ones

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Denon-PMA...EAAOSw3ZtaNBv2

These are meh

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DEMON-PRE...gAAOSw241Yi55i