Creek Audio OBH-12 Preamplifiers
Creek Audio OBH-12 Preamplifiers
[May 06, 2002]
Gene
Audio Enthusiast
Strength:
musical with great bass and rhythm remote
Weakness:
imaging and details I read a lot about passive preamps and thought the Creek would be a cost effective solution for me. The recurring tagline that intrigued me was that an equally good active preamp would cost 2-3 times more. As you may have guessed, the word that best describes this unit is ''transparent''. I plugged my CD player (fixed output, quite loud) directly into my amps and compared it with the Creek. Virutally no difference. However, there are issues. This was a musically involving preamp with great bass and rhythm, but the imaging and details were hazy. I then tried my basic NAD receiver as a preamp. The soundstage snapped into place, and more detailed sound emerged. On the downside, the NAD''s highs did get fatiguing and was not as musical as the Creek. I did use low capacitance ICs and my amps are purportedly mate well with passive preamps. The Creek could do a lot better in your system, saving you big bucks if it does. The remote is of great convenience. An unexpected surprise was that the Creek was able to drive my subwoofer''s high-pass filter (I listened extensively without the sub too). Try and compare before committing to this unit. Sony DVP-NS500V DVD/SACD player Antique Sound Labs Wave 8 monoblocks Polk RT35i speakers Velodyne CHT-10 sub Analysis Plus speakers cables DH Labs and Nordost interconnects Similar Products Used: NAD T750 receiver |
[Feb 18, 2000]
Michael
Audio Enthusiast
Strength:
Size
Weakness:
Very Bright and Tinney, Loss of instrument definition I purchasd the OBH-12 because of the reviews here in Sterio Review |
[Feb 17, 2000]
Charles Burch
Audio Enthusiast
Strength:
Simply a transparent conduit between your source material and your amplifier.
Weakness:
Cheezy remote, will show you the warts on the rest of your system. After reading many complimentary reviews of the OBH-12, I looked forward to adding it to my system. Like a lot of people, I’m caught between the demands of a HT system and a stereo system. I have a Denon AVR-1800 DD/DTS receiver, with preamp outs for the front left, right, and center channels into a Harman Kardon PA5800 amp. After tweaking my system and burning in some new cables (DB Labs BL-1 interconnects and Silver Sonic Bi-wires going to Sound Dynamics RTS-P100 fronts) I was getting happy with the sound. I was looking forward to seeing what the Creek would do with the stereo side of my system. Similar Products Used: Harman Kardon PT2500 |
[Jun 08, 2000]
Matthew
Audiophile
Strength:
Does exactly what it's supposed to do--virtually nothing, allows you to hear your source components without any distortion
Weakness:
Sources can't be switched without remote, only 3 inputs, relationship between remote and the pre-amp is very abstract The McCormack DNA amps are well-suited to passive pre-amps, and if you have good-sounding source equipment and speakers, passive is the way to go. The only thing that has given me equal clarity and dynamics is plugging my DAC directly into the amp, but then I can't use my turntable (very important) or tuner. The Creek allows me to use all three without affecting the signal. So even though it's a very uninspiring piece of equipment, it's a great investment. As far as I know, more expensive passive preamps will give you a better appearance and built quality, but no other real advantages. The remote seems to be a universal remote for all Creek products, so when you press an input button, it's anybody's guess what will happen. Other than that, no real complaints. Similar Products Used: Bryston B60 (as a pre-amp--same as a BP20), an old Adcom pre-amp/tuner, no pre-amp at all |
[Apr 18, 2001]
Paul Mar
Audio Enthusiast
Strength:
It's a transparent goddess; it's teeny weeny.
Weakness:
N/A Such a deal. Lenny, go out and grab one. This is one piece of sweet sheel metal and electronics. There is really no sound to this guy and the separation is > 82 db. Similar Products Used: Sonic Frontiers SFL-1, Audible Illusions Mod 3, Nikko Beta 2 |
[Jun 04, 2001]
Bob White
Audio Enthusiast
Strength:
Size,Transparent Sound
Weakness:
None have shown up yet This is wonderful! When I first took it out of the box I could not believe how small it was. The sound out of the box was extra bright. After about a two hour break in period,it seemed to disapear! Wonderful sound! I use this with 2 NAD 2155[bridged],NAD cd player,Thorens Turntable,Music Fidelity LP-X and '80s vintage Boston Acoustics A-150's. Warn,detailed sound. Similar Products Used: Haffler 110 |
[Sep 18, 2001]
Jason
Audiophile
Strength:
Completely open soundstage, completely transparent, but only if paired with the correct components. Great little piece overall.
Weakness:
You need to pair it with the correct components (see below). Components not the absolute best in the world, but that's being very picky. This is a very neat little device that can do it's job amazingly well. I really like it. Similar Products Used: Marantz 70's era pre-amps (3600, etc.), AGI 511 pre-amp, McIntosh C-32. |
[Dec 04, 2000]
John
Audio Enthusiast
Strength:
Compact, easy to use, no loss of sound quality.
Weakness:
Like to have my lights dim when I,m listening to my system. Do like the product very much. There is absolutly no noise Similar Products Used: None. My friends told me to choose OBH-12. Smart choice! |
[Aug 12, 2000]
Ken Ambrose
Audiophile
Strength:
transparency;imaging,soundstage excellent;phenomenal transients
Weakness:
probably requires very good source, I doubt this unit will match well with mass market crap. SYSTEM: NAD s500 CD,Dual CS-501 with Grado Gold,Dynaco 400 series Power, Boston Acoustics 975 speakers, NHT sub-woofer. Similar Products Used: Grounded Grid tube preamp, Hafler 945 jfet preamp, Dynaco PAS 4 discrete solid state preamp |
[Mar 05, 2001]
aks
Audiophile
Strength:
For a mere $200, you can have purer, cleaner signal than the most expensive pre-amps.
Weakness:
None
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