Very highly recommended by my audio dealer BUT NOT BY ME! I purchased this product mail order and sent it back after 3 weeks. I kept wanting to like the sound coming out of my B&W 601DM speakers thru a Rotel RD951 cd player but neved did. This amp flattens the highs making the the music heavy and muffled. The lows were ok but there was nothing about the sound that I was impressed with especially for the 500.00 price tag. After returning the Creek I purchased a Rotel RA 971 int. amp. and was happy to hear that my judgement about the Creek was not faulty. By comparison, the Rotel was much livelier, had more punch, and produced more bass. I would not recommend this product especially when there are many other better choices for the money the Creek costs. (Had my dealer not accepted a return I would have preferred to throw this amp in a creek rather than subject my ears to the sound it produced!)

I've had the Creek 4330R about 4 months now, so it has gone well beyond the initial breakin period. My overall impression of this rather remarkable little amp is very high indeed! I have them powering a pair of B&W CDM1SE in a small to average-sized room. The amp is connected to a Rega Planet CDP. This amp really puts out a tremendous amount of very clean, very detailed power and seems especially well-suited to a British-type relatively efficient dynamic speaker such as the B&W. I find it difficult to "characterize" the amps sound, since it really doesn't add or subtract anything to the overall presentation - it just does its job, as a good amp should. I happen to like the "minimalist" concept of amp design, since in the past I never used balance or tone controls anyway! For those who like this approach, the Creek sets the standard. I highly recommend this product, especially considering its price! Readers of this post should also take note that there is now an "SE" version of the 4330R which has a beefed up power supply - I have not heard it but it received an excellent review in the March edition of the online Audio Audition magazine. I don't how much "better" the 4330SE is compared to the 4330R, however I suspect they sound very similar. Also note that a number of review for the 4330R are actually posted under "Creek 4340" - read these too, since in comparison to the one other review posted under 4330R, they all rate the Creek a 4-5.

I have replaced my 4330 for my 4330 R due to health problems that compelled me to have volume remote control. I had posted a review under Creek 4340 - that's where all reviews about my previous amp were, anyway. Apart the remote, they're exactly alike in terms of musicality and overall sound, so I needn't say much more on this subject.
The 4330 is trailed to a Rega Planet, as the precedent reviewer's. And what fabulous combination they make!

The proviso is the remote, which is an eyesore and poorly finished. But my Planet has a system remote control - the Solar - and it can control the Creek's volume, so I got rid of one of the ugliest remotes mankind has ever created...

This is what I call great value, I find this amp very hard to beat at its price. Oh BTW - don't listen to Mr Dennis M., either he must be mistaken, or have serious ear damage.

Sound. Value. Peformance. Appearance. Not like every other Denoyamapiosony.

None.

I bought this amp on the recommendation of a friend and stereophile magazine which listed this as a recommended component that sounded as good as any amp at any price. This is true. This is an incredible amp for the money. I use it in a home theater system and it has performed incredibly. I prefer a few quality components rather than a lot of junk components. It plays CD's with full warm sound. I don't have the remote which adds $100 and cannot be added later so you have to decide up front if you want that version. A perfect amp for CD and DVD. Buy 5.1 junk or 2 channel quality.

Similar Products Used:

None.

Musicality, resolution, and detail.

None at it's price point

This integrated is a big bang for the buck. The limiting factor here is power output so efficent loudspeakers are necessary. An alternative would be bi-amping since there are preamp outputs as well. An additional tweak is trying other power cords since it is detachable. This amplifier is sweet, detailed, and resolving...one of the best I have heard. Don't skimp on cables or associated components!
Enjoy!

Similar Products Used:

Audio Alchemy DLC, Audible Illusions L-1, Meridian 518 dig. preamp.

detail, clarity, musical bass

lack of source selector on remote

Right out of the box I was taken aback by the difference. It seemed like the choke had been taken off my system and the music was able to flow freely. One of the complaints cited against my old amp, the workman-like PM-57, was that it more or less had one-note bass reproduction. With the 4330, the bass pitch and timbre are much more distinguishable. The bass lines sing now and the music is much richer for it. Also, improvement in detail is noticeable up and down the scale. I like the minimalist approach to hi-fi and, with the 4330, it seems to pay generous dividends in sound. I have a friend with a Rega Planet cd player, Rega Mira amp and Meadowlark Kestrel Hotrod speakers. I don't think my system quite matches it in presence yet but it's knocking on the door and I'm certain the 4330 isn't the weak link.
My current system:
Marantz CD6000 OSE cd player
Creek 4330 amplifier
B&W 601 S2 speakers
(4-post spiked metal stands, heavy gauge speaker wire, premium interconnects, etc.)

Similar Products Used:

Marantz PM-57

No mono switch, no headphone jack, and no banana speaker jacks on a British integrated--? What's up with that?

I bought this when I sold a conrad-johnson PV10 tube preamp and ATI 1502 150wpc power amp combination because they produced a hum problem in my new home that I couldn't tame. I bought the Creek simply as a stopgap because I just couldn't decide between the Musical Fidelity A3 and A300.

The biggest problem I have is getting over the size and price of this amp. It's petite, and at less than half the cost of my late preamp, it was almost free.

As far as sound quality is concerned, the only thing I can conclude is that it makes one of those lucky, magic, synergistic combinations with my 92-dB efficient Tannoys. The sound is just great. What a combination of smoothness and pace! I love it. I've been rediscovering my jazz discs (a relatively small backwater of my 1000+ disc music collection). After the conrad-johnson, with its ever-present tube rush, the Creek's near-utter silence and "on demand" sound quality (sounds great from the moment of switch-on), is also very pleasant.

Overall I have to say I'm amazed. I think it's tough to listen past our preconceptions--we've been told that powerful amps, tube amps, separates, and audiophile name brands sound better, so we think it's true. I think that if this sound quality came in two big, heavy, expensive boxes, Creek might actually sell more of these things. It actually sounds more powerful than the ATI 1502, and much smoother and more musical.

I freely admit to being a cheapskate, and this warms the cockles of my penurious Scots heart. Matched to the right speakers, this is truly great sound quality on the serious cheap. I strongly recommend trying this with Tannoy Mercury and Revolution speakers. Good speaker matching is most likely critical, and the Mercury speakers make good matches in cost as well as sound-quality terms.

The Creek 4330R hasn't banished my congenital upgrade fever, but what's now moved to the top of my lust-list is Creek's new 75wpc integrated, the one wqith the silver faceplate (I wish they'd though of a name for it to go with the new look, instead of that damned ladleful of numeric soup they always use)--the thought of what this company could do with a little more money on tap is mouthwatering. I'll have to try that one out too.

Five whacking great rock-solid stars. This is a raging bargain and not bad sound quality in absolute terms (assuming you know dick about how to match it proper speakers, unlike the first dweeb who posted on this thread). If this is "all" you can afford, go thee forth and be smug.

Similar Products Used:

This is about the 80th audio component I've bought in my life, and I used to be a salesman in a high end shop.

Open, Detailed, Sound With Really Good Pace And Low Level(Bass) Detail

No Phono Stage, Relatively Low Output, No Provision For Banana Jack Use

I have used and loved this amp for almost a year now. It has a very british sound to it, lots and pace, very smooth. It is even nice looking in a understated sort of way. When used with my other gear which included a Cambridge Audio Cd Player and a set of Castle speakers, this amp gave me exactly what I wanted. It never sounded congested or muffled, everything I listened to was presented with good authority and resolution but it never sounded harsh or grainy. Although only 40 watts a channel it drove my speakers to reasonable listening levels with ease, although you might have less luck with your speakers. The build quality was extremely high, the unit is heavy for its size, the only disapointment hear was a lack of gold plating on the connectors and no provision for Banana Jack use (i used spades with great results, however) I Compared this amp to the Musical Fidelity XA-1 and the Arcam Alpha 7R. I found the Creek to be at least the equal of both in all cases and I prefered it in most. It just always sounded smooother, more musical than the others. If you are looking for GREAT quality sound, but don't want to fork out the cash for the big Krells and Levinsons, I think you would be very well served by this amp, it's strengths far outweigh it weakneses. Quite simply it is the best sounding amplifier I have heard at anywhere near its price.

Similar Products Used:

Musical Fidelity XA-1, Arcam Alpha 7R

Dynamic and Great overall sound

Quirky Remote
Tight fit for inputs
No headphone jack

I bought this system to replace the 25 year old Kenwood Integrated Amp that served me well for a long time. This little amp has less rated output than the big Kenwood but the sound and dynamics driving my old (and not very efficient) speakers is surprisingly good. Better yet the music that flows from the tiny box is just plain great! I got the MM phone addition and this too turned out to be a huge improvement. Compared to the Rotel it seems to be a little more forward but not harsh. Overall it is a nice sounding Amp.

Some small quibbles: First the RCA jacks on the rear are very close together. What’s more they are tough to plug the RCA plugs into the jacks. I’ve pulled apart two cables so far. The dealer I got my turntable from commented on this as well. Changing the setup turns out to be a physical strength test for your fingers.

Second, when the unit is powered down, if the mute is on the unit freezes up. This can only happen on the remote version because there is no mute button on the Amp. If you wait about two hours it comes back on but it was scary the first time it happened. BTW, if you use a YBA CD player, the music advance signal from the remote is the same as the volume increase for the Creek, so I end up not using this feature on the CD player.

This isn’t a show amp. The build quality of the case is just so-so and the remote is down right cheep. BUT, the music is fantastic and that’s really what it’s all about.

Similar Products Used:

Rotel
Kenwood

Excellent sense of pace, rhythm, and timing. Very punchy, dynamic bass. Detailed but sweet highs. Smooth midrange. Elegant, minimalist design. Overall great value.

The remote--I wish Creek would design a smaller one specifically for the 4330R without all the extra buttons (it only uses Volume and Mute).

I had to make a few comments after reading Dave's review. I believe the lack of bass he is experiencing may be partly due to his choice of speaker cable, Kimber 4PR. I had a similar experience when I first brought my 4330R home and hooked it up with Kimber 4TC cable to my PSB Stratus Bronzes (later replaced with Linn Tukans). I was very disappointed with the bass--it sounded weak and ill-defined. Breaking in the amp for a few days didn't help much, so I phoned my dealer and explained the situation. He recommended that I try Linn K20 cable, which presented a more appropriate load to the amp than the Kimbers. I've heard differences between cables before, but the 4TC sounded fine with my previous amps, so I was skeptical. However, since the K20 cable was only $3.00/ft, I thought it was at least worth a try.

WOW, I was blown away when I first hooked up the Linn cable! Like I said, I've heard differences between cables before, but never like this. Now the bass sounded full, quick, punchy, and well-extended, just like what I had heard in my dealer's listening room.

Dave, you might try a set of Linn K20 cables (bi-wire and tri-wire models are also available for more $$$, but I haven't heard them). Perhaps your local Linn dealer will let you borrow a pair. If they improve the sound of your amp, please share your experience in a follow-up review.

Many thanks to the guys at Avante-Garde Home Entertainment in Chicago, especially Chris, for their superior service and great advice.

By the way, the amp sounds much better when you leave it on all the time.