Good price for entry level audio enthusiast that secretly wants to be an audiophile. Nice clean lines - simple operation. No flashing lights or dials. Lots of power that seems crisp, clean, effortless and delivers great soundstage.

Feels like it runs hot which I am told by Creek Co., is nothing to worry about, but it make me feel uncomfortable. Little black remote is not useful as buttons are too small and it looks dinky, an after thought - luckily, the Marantz CD remote operates the volume control on the Creek!

Had to replace the Nad Monitor series receiver. Used NAD for 20 years with no complaints, even though the Monitor Series had way too many buttons, switches and a complicated remote - shame, NAD for trying to impress with complexity! Needed to simplify and split components - get a grat amp, a great CD, etc. Called Sevenoaks as was visiting UK for 2 days. They called Creek and asked to put a 5350se together. Sevenoakes were very helpful even though they stocked the competition. (great bargain as price of GBP800 is reduced by 17.5% when you get your VAT back, yeeeharrrrr!) I like the style - clean & simple. I like the operational aspects - easy, simple, no frills provided where none are required. Creeks provides a new lease of life to my gear (bose speakers to be replaced with Proac Response 1SC, Marantz CD6000KI bought at same time & place as Creek) and makes me want to listen to all the CDs again! Can't explain performance in terms of the usual audiophile jargon since (a) I don't believe that you can explain sound with that crap and (b) the bose speakers are sub optimal so true impressions won't be availbale until the Proacs show. Bottom line - I like it, it makes the music sound good!

Similar Products Used:

Looked at Arcam before buying. NAD, NAD, NAD since 1981.

Nice looking

Just not musical and lacking dynamics.

In the process of dowsizing and spending less money I purchased this unit. After having in system for 3 weeks, I found it unmusical etc. Stereophool strikes again, that makes twice, I also owned the MF A3cr amp and pre, two dimensional and NO BASS. Well, I looked and looked, Plinius, AR complete, Classe, etc. then read about the Arcam Diva A-85, purchased and after another month found it to GREATLY surpass the sonic virtues of the Creek and also the Musical Fidelity combo. This makes music, great remote abit small thingies for things i do not use. The reference volume readout in .5db increments is awesome, should be on all pre and integrated units. Why everyone seems to want the Creek is a complete mystery to me. System used with the above. Egglestonworks Fontaines Tyler Reference monitors Cal CL-10 Sony SCD/1 Analysis Oval 9s JPS Superconductor FX ICs JPS Power and Digital AC power cords.

Similar Products Used:

See above

Musicality! Never flat, just sweet sounding.

Nothing really stands out - yet.

I have been using a rather dated system at home (HK integrated, Mission CD, Kef Reference speakers). My integrated amp basically died on me after 15 yrs and I decided to look at home theatre systems. I soon realized that I could not find a receiver that gave me what I wanted as far as audio was concerned (I could spend thousands on separates such as Meridian or even Bryston!). I decided to go with dedicated audio and home theatre systems. I had a chance to audition several good pieces (listed above). Of all the integrateds (roughly in the same price range) I listened to, I have to admit it was not easy to choose. After many hours of comparing, I finally had it narrowed down to 2 pieces - the Creek 5350 SE and the Bryston B-60. The only place that carries the Creek line of products in the Toronto area is Hi Fi Fo Fum. I spoke with Steve Thorne and he allowed me to take the 5350 home to listen on my own system - now the true test was to find someone who would allow me to borrow a B-60 and do an A-B comparison (I have to admit it was not easy). Even though there are quite a few retailers of Bryston products in the GTA, only about half of them actually had the B-60 in stock (are you listening, Bryston?). I must state that the closest store to me is Kennedy Hi Fi. I spoke with one of the owners - He would not let me borrow the B-60 (even with full deposit), nor would he allow me to bring the 5350 into his store to compare. Enough said about that.
Anyway, I managed to find someone who did have the B-60 and brought it home to compare. I used the same connectors(Cardas), cables(Mark Levinson), and power cord(came with the amp). I found the Creek to just "sing" around the Bryston. It was much more musical and had that sense of presense. Don't get me wrong, the B-60 is a very good piece but for my personal tastes, it sounded a bit too "industrial".
If you are considering a really good integrated amp (which can stand up against some pretty good separate combos), do not give up the chance to listen to the 5350 SE, I don't think you will be disappointed.

Similar Products Used:

Arcam FMJ A22, Bryston B-60, Musical Fidelity A300, Classe Cap-101, SimAudio i-5

Smoothness, detail, soundstaging

Binding posts only accept spades or bare wire - more of an inconvenience than a weakness

This integrated amp is an exquisite piece of audio equipment and clearly worth every penny I paid for it. You could even consider it an incredible audio bargain. I always liked the sound of the Creek 4330R but when I installed the 5350SE, the differences (ie improvement) became readily apparent. I honestly was not aware how much dynamic constrast, soundstage depth/width and overall "information" my CDs really had until using the 5350SE. You can easily read about this amp on the Stereophile "Archives" webpage, and I will admit that this review probably convinced me to eventually buy this amp. Clearly any equipment review has to be evaluated critically and one could take issue with statements suggesting that one particular amp is better than all others at a particular price range. All I can say is that this Creek amp works exceedingly well in my system & I love it!

Associated equipment:

Creek 5350SE
Creek CD43MkII
B&W Nautilus 804
Monster M2.4 biwire speaker cable
Silver Audio "Silver Bullet 4.0" interconnects
Adcom power conditioner

Similar Products Used:

Creek 4330R

Soundstage, accurate bass reproduction, amazing dynamics.

None

This is an simply the best integrated amp I have ever heard, period! Don't be fooled by it's size. It excels at soundstage, dynamics and very low noise thanks to it's passive preamp design. You will hear detail like you never have before. And for $1500.00 it's a steal.

Simply an excellent piece of equipment.

Other equipment I'm using with this amp are:

Musical Fidelity CD transport
MSB Link DAC III
Monster cable interconnects
Infinity Compositions Overture 3 Loudspeakers
AudioQuest CV-4 speaker cable

Similar Products Used:

Musical Fidelity A-3

crispy punch live-like what it brings just music music music music music, you won't believe that big sound is from the tiny box,no more necessary for pre-power suit

i really can not accept the look of black 5350se when the first time i took it out of the box.(the dealer said that there are only 2 black faceplate 5350se in the usa)

all my friends said that i am crazy to partner maggie1.6 with such a tiny integrated amp, they don't believe what wonderful sound the creek make until they have heard themself. hearing is believing ha ha ha ha
forget both the pre and power amps, long live integrated.

my gear:
speaker: maggie 1.6qr
cd player: meridian 506-24
amp: creek 5350se (black)-special
speaker cables: mit mh750 biwired
interconnect: harmonic technology -truth link
power cable: power source bass power (thick like anaconda)

Similar Products Used:

krell kav300i
jeff rowland concentra
denon pma10mk2

All-around performer with good imaging, detail, lots of power in reserve.

Might be too revealing for some (not for me).

The Creek opened up breadth and width of sound as opposed to my very constricted Marantz. This is my first stab at hi-fi and it was a real eye-opener. All instruments were unmistakable and positioned where they should be. Extremely musical across the spectrum with nothing too emphasized. It made my 17-yr old Boston Acoustics A-70's (since replaced)come to life.

Price is for demo unit (in perfect condition with reason for return)+ new phono stage. Audio Advisor was easy to work with and friendly.

Now playing with:
CD: Marantz - CD-67SE
Phono: Thorens - TD 115 MKII
Cassette: Nakamichi - BX-300
Tuner: Cambridge Audio - T500
Speakers: JM Lab Cobalt 816
Cables: Kimber

Similar Products Used:

Marantz PM-57; Integrateds also auditioned Bryston B-60, Classe, Sim, Rotel

Handsome unit, descent sound.

Could use a little more power, but for most speakers it's plenty.

For the price it's worth a listen. Solid feel in quality. Good sound, although to my ears there is a slight emphasis in the midrange. Other than that it's a great little amp.

Similar Products Used:

Arcam A85 integrated.

dynamics, detail, soundstage

none

A year ago I was looking to buy the Creek 4340SE, I saw the 5350SE and wanted it. I finally bought about three months ago. If you want an integrated amp, this is the one to get. The dynamics and detail are amazing. This is truly a great little amp. My system will center around this "baby brute" for long time. A Stereophile magazine class "A" recommended product, without a doubt.

Similar Products Used:

Other amps used Pioneer, Marantz, Yamaha, but I wouldn't say they were similar.

Imaging, Soundstage, Bass, Accuracy, and Detail

none found yet

I have used the unit for a few months now and WOW! This Amp makes my Dunlavey SC-III's shine the soundstage and imaging is unreal. I do agree with the other reviewer who said "music in... music out". Good recordings shine while poor ones are for listening to music not the audiophile qualities. I cant wait to upgrade my cd player---

Worth a listen.

Other Stuff:

Dunlavey SC-III
Audio Dynamics CD player
Transparent Audio Music Link Plus speaker cables
Transparent Audio Music Wave Plus interconnects

Similar Products Used:

Naim 5, Adcom Seperates