Creek Audio 5350SE Integrated Amplifiers
Creek Audio 5350SE Integrated Amplifiers
USER REVIEWS
[Feb 01, 2024]
davidson02
Strength:
It's simple, durable, and has a clear sound. My friend Abilene loves it and will surely recommend it! Weakness:
None so far. Purchased: Used
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[Jun 12, 2023]
donzparker25
Strength:
A small but powerful device. web design fort lauderdale This is superior to the previous model. power washing cortez Weakness:
The casing doesn't look nice. Purchased: New
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[Jun 06, 2023]
mas
Strength:
I am laughing at all these 1 or 2 star reviews. Really? I have been in this game since 1976, I have owned at least 30 different amps and even more pairs of speakers. I can tell you without reservation that there is no more bang for the buck than THIS amp, the Creek 5350se. Not the Classi or the Destiny, neither are as good as the original 5350se. In my home right now, I have Odyssey Kismet, Naim 5si, Mcintosh MC152, Bedini 25, Hegel 120, and Creek's 5350se, 4330, and Classic 5350. I will tell you one thing, that Hegel is the over rated brand. I like all these amps for different reasons. But that all being said, none of them 'sound' better than the 5350se. This is my 4th one, they do break down over time, but while they are good, there is nothing else that gets everything so right at anywhere near this price. Now, I have a pair of Magnepan 2.6Rs upstairs and with 80wpc that probably would not work. But they sound perfect with my Ohm Tall 2000s in my bedroom. I have paired them with Tannoy and Focal as well and they sound great. A lot of of bottom end for this price and just musical as all get out. Great for jazz. To all of you you are dissing this amp it's either because you have some kind of vendetta or your audiophile ear is lacking. Let's just leave it at that. Weakness:
Won't drive the most inefficient speakers to high levels. Example, Magnepan 2.6r. Also their shelf life seems to be somewhat limited. So get one that has been used slightly. You will not regret it. Price Paid: 750
Purchased: Used
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[Apr 15, 2018]
Rick277
Strength:
Deep and wide soundstage, imaging, detail. I use the 5350 SE to drive a pair of Martin Logan SL3 Electrostatic speakers. Source is a Marantz Special Edition CD player and an RPM 9.2 turntable with a Sumiko Blue Point Special EVO III high output MC cartridge. I purchased the Special Edition phone card and inserted it into the unit as an option for vinyl. This amp has gobs of reserve power, and is very conservatively rated at 85 WPC at 8 Ohms. Stereophile tests at 8 OHMs continuous load at 1K shows a minimum of 90WPC, and at 4 Ohms 120 WPC. Burst wattage at 8 ohms was measured in one channel at an astonishing 199 Watts. My Martin Logans are power hungry speakers given their size, yet this amp handles them with gobs of authority. It never bogs down. The soundstage and detail is the best I’ve heard, and the ML SL3’s are very revealing speakers. By comparison, my alternative system is a fully restored Harman Kardon Citation II tube amp rebuilt by Jim McShane. It too has a phenomenal sound stage and imaging. By comparison, the HK is warmer, but the Creek has more precise detail. I find myself listening to the Creek more often. It is very balanced across the entire frequency spectrum, and is not harsh. Given the used prices of these units around $600, its a true bargain. The SE phone card is still available from Audio Advisor for about $130. Not bad for a phone pre-amp section. Its easy to install, just plug it in. And it is true audiophile. Weakness:
Requires you to purchase a separate Phono section card Price Paid: 1300
Purchased: New
Model Year: 2003
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[Aug 22, 2011]
Ed
AudioPhile
Wonderful. I've owned many, many amps in my days and this does it right. |
[May 30, 2011]
Clark
Audio Enthusiast
This amp is overrated. His sound is very boring and relaxed. I do not recommend.
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[Jul 21, 2010]
11rufus11
Audio Enthusiast
I bought this Integrated amp used for $650. I have had it for over a year now. I am astounded by the quality of sound every time I listen to my music collection. I will only describe the sound as extremely pleasing. I have not grown tired of the sound at all over this past year. This is a keeper for sure! |
[Jan 18, 2010]
msr_atty
AudioPhile
I tend to think that some people who have dissed this amp are either listening to a defective unit or are listening to poor recordings. A common problem with the amp has been the drop out of one channel or the other, which can explain comments regarding a truncated soundstage or a problem with imaging. I had that problem for some time, until I finally had the ribbon cable removed and the amp hard-wired. In my subsequent experience, this amp is sweet and transparent, and has a very deep and wide soundstatge. It also is adept at imaging. Any shortcomings relate to sheer volume and oomph, which is a common complaint with passive SS integrated amps. It is definitely not a tube amp either. This is definitely an amp for those of you who listen mainly to jazz and classical music. It is very natural sounding - that could be good or bad depending on the kind of music you listen to. The amp is also quite revealing - and if the recording is poor, the amp will sound harsh. Try listening to SACDs and then tell me this amp sounds harsh! It is definitely one of the better SS integrated amps out there under $3k. As for the Creek Destiny, I understand that some techies (I mean people who actually repair the amps, have compared the sound over long periods of time and have no axe to grind ) actually prefer the sound of the 5350SE to that of the Destiny. |
[Aug 11, 2009]
Arthur Gorniak
AudioPhile
Hello,
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[Aug 19, 2008]
aroostookme
AudioPhile
Strength:
The Creek is clean and sounds great from lows to highs. It's easy to use. Simply a gem. Here's what I have found that I don'tsee in the reviews:
Weakness:
I find no weaknesses. This is THE inegrated amp.
I made the mistake of buying a used Creek 4330 integrated on eBay a few years ago for my bedroom. I did it purely on the words from Stereophile's review.
Similar Products Used: Krell, Cambridge Audio, Jolida, NAD, Vincent, Dynaco, Adcom, McIntosh. |