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To achieve 85 Watts power into an 8 Ohms load and >160 Watts into 4 Ohms, the mains transformer has to
be big. The Evo uses an overrated 250VA toroidal transformer, which will provide enough current to drive
the amplifier to almost double its output into 4 Ohms. To improve the sound quality, no expense has been
spared.
Separate windings are used for each of the high current high voltage and low voltage,
analogue and digital circuits. Two sets of rectifiers and a total of 20,000 micro-Farads of multiple
smoothing capacitors are used to separate the left and right circuitry and improve the dynamic performance.
This is a technique used by Creek before for its up-market products and is now available in the entry-level
Evo. In terms of value for money, this cannot be overstated.
Generally, few Hi-Fi companies put so
much effort into their product's power supplies at this price point, but Creek knows that this is an area
where the rewards are high for such investment. To allow it to be easily used in different countries, the
Evo also uses an external voltage selector.
Significantly, the Evo is the first product made by
Creek to use an electronic volume control. It uses a Burr-Brown PGA2311, stepped resistor attenuator
operated by a micro controller. This allows the user to adjust the volume accurately, in 1 dB steps, from 0
to -80dB. An analogue style rotary encoder, with 40mm solid control knob, is used to alter the volume from
the front panel and display the reverse level in dB on a large blue colored VFD display i.e. 80 is loudest
and 0 is off. To buffer the signals in and out of the pre-amp, high grade Burr-Brown OPA2134 op-amps are
used. Signal switching is performed by relays, which are driven by signal from a powerful micro controller,
similar to the Destiny amp.
The Evo is configured as a high open-loop gain circuit, using a double
differential input and driver stage plus discrete Darlington power output stage, using high current
bi-polar transistors. This is similar to the circuitry Creek used prior to its more complicated MOS-FET
designs. High grade polypropylene capacitors, bypassed with large value electrolytics, are used to couple
and decouple the signal into the power amp as the Evo doesn't use a DC servo correction, like the Classic
and Destiny amps.
To keep the amplifier safe, it is monitored by discrete transistor circuitry to
protect against over current demand, short circuits and DC offsets. Relays mute the input and separate the
loudspeaker output in the case of faults.
The Evo operates conventionally with rotary controls for
input selection and volume control and buttons for Tape selection and power On/off. It has four inputs plus
tape - selection is via the remote handset or the input selection control. A visual indication of its
status is displayed on a large blue Vacuum Fluorescent Display (VFD). The display brightness can be altered
from the Evo remote control handset.
Gold plated input and output sockets have been chosen to
provide a good connection and appearance for a product at its price point. Loudspeakers are connected with
1 set of 4mm terminal binding posts, with plastic touch proof covers. The amplifier also has a headphone
socket which is becoming an increasingly rare feature of modern day amplifiers.
Mains connection is
via a standard, fused, IEC chassis plug. A high quality power cord, with suitable mains plug for the
country of use is supplied.
Specifications:
- Power into 8 Ohm (both channels): > 85W Power into 4 Ohm (one channel): > 170W
- Max current: >10 amps
- THD (total harmonic distortion): < 0.1% 20Hz - 20 KHz
- Frequency Response: 5Hz - 50KHz - 1dB
- Power Amp Slew Rate: > 25V per µs
- Input Sensitivity: 415 mV for 50W
- Signal to Noise Ratio: > 96 dB
- Separation: > 60 dB
- Remote control: yes
- Power Consumption at Idle: < 40W
- Power Consumption at Full Power: 340W
- Weight: 19Lbs
- Size W/H/D: 17'x 3.15' x 13.5'
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Questions?
1.973.239.1799
