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-250III-Stereo-Integrated-Amplifier/332488717634?epid=110911762&hash=item4d69df3542:g:IqEAAOSw3ZtaNBv2

These are meh

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DEMON-PRECISION-INTERGRATED-AMPLIER-PMA-250SE/222821587370?hash=item33e13399aa:g:KSgAAOSw241Yi55 i

[walpurgis]

I'd go for this. I've owned a few and they deliver the goods.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Denon-Integrated-Amplifier-PMA-350SE/162884810689?epid=110917885&hash=item25ecb0f7c1:g:WAkAAOSw4QdadbWQ

[Macca]

I'd go for this. I've owned a few and they deliver the goods.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Denon-Integrated-Amplifier-PMA-350SE/162884810689?epid=110917885&hash=item25ecb0f7c1:g:WAkAAOSw4QdadbWQ

I'd rather have the earlier incarnation but there are none on eBay right now.

[gerlando]

Sorry, I've already bought an A60 on ebay for £65.

I'm just wondering if a CAS 4040 (the original, the S2 or the S3), could be better or not.

Cheers
Mauro

[gerlando]

Sorry, I've already bought an A60 on ebay for £65.

I'm just wondering if a CAS 4040 (the original, the S2 or the S3), could be better or not.

Cheers
Mauro

P.S. Possible speakers are B&W D5, Kef Chorale or Heybrook HB1.

I mainly listen to progressive rock.

[walpurgis]

There's a pair of D5's on sale in Private Exhibitions. Still available I think.

http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?55995-B-amp-W-D5

I was very tempted to buy them myself, but I have too many speakers already.


Actually, if you want to kick out some rock, what about a pair of Goodmans Magnum K2's. They can be picked up at sane prices and definitely boogie.

[gerlando]

There's a pair of D5's on sale in Private Exhibitions. Still available I think.

http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?55995-B-amp-W-D5

I was very tempted to buy them myself, but I have too many speakers already.

Yes, I'm dealing with Simon.
But i'm tempted from the Kef and HB1 as well.

[ralphgonz]

I know this is an old thread but just thought I'd mention my anecdotal experience with Creek CAS4040 integrated amps. The unit I purchased in the mid 1980's blew its power transistors within a few years. Creek was kind enough to supply me with replacements which I soldered in place, but these too eventually blew. I purchased a few identical units on ebay for parts but eventually gave up on the amp. Note that this unit was wired for US 120V operation and possibly reliability was better in the UK. I also recall being told that S2 (or was it S3?) fixed reliability issues with the output transistors. I guess if you buy a working unit on ebay today, then it does not have reliability problems!

Anyway, I loved the form factor and look of this unit. It was my first encounter with a quintessentially British integrated amp: It was extremely compact compared with American and Asian units with the same power capability, and the controls and buttons were well distinguished and easy to use compared with the undifferentiated rows of buttons on so many other integrated amps. This was a time when some manufacturers thought it an improvement to dispense with the volume control entirely, replacing it with a pair of Increase/Decrease buttons!

That said, I think the wooden-enclosed case was less than ideal, having poor heat conductivity (IE good insulation properties). Later units such as my current Creek 4240 use equally-compact vented steel enclosures with large internal heatsinks.

[walpurgis]

Well as we're reviving this thread, here's my two-bob's worth.

For sound, I'd get the Creek. For build quality and reliability, I want the A60.

BUT! I'd back a Quad 306 with cheap passive pre-amp against them (and win :)).

[Columbo]

Not if you want to play vinyl. Surely? And it's roughly 3 times the price.

[walpurgis]

Not if you want to play vinyl. Surely? And it's roughly 3 times the price.

Vinyl is a different matter.

Not sure what you mean by "3 times the price". I picked up a 306 plus passive pre-amp for under £150 in the last year. A good A60 can cost £200.

[Columbo]

Vinyl will be a consideration for some.

You can get the A60 for £100. Have a look now what the 306 goes for - about £300, hence the 3 times as much.

[walpurgis]

Deleted.