About The Creek Audio 4040 A Stereo Amplifier DAC
The 4040 A integrated amplifier has been designed to reprise the essence of the original CAS4040 which was launched in 1982 to great acclaim. While huge technological advances and modern digital features have propelled the 4040 A into the 21st century, the listening pleasure it creates continues to release the same endorphins its ancestor did 40 years ago.
Control: The 4040 A's intuitive user interface and sophisticated menu system are easily navigated either by remote control or rotary control knobs.
Pre-Amplifier: The "Feature Rich" 4040 A contains three analogue signal inputs, including two pairs of unbalanced RCA sockets and one pair of fully balanced XLR sockets. Its electronic volume and balance control enables precise 1dB adjustment over a 70dB range. Tone controls further enhance its flexibility, if required.
Phono: Vinyl music lovers can install an optional plug-in Sequel mk4 Phono Pre-amp in place of Line 2 to match a wide range of Moving Magnet and high-output Moving Coil cartridges.
Headphones: A dedicated, high current, headphone amplifier will drive a wide-range of headphones via a front panel headphone socket.
Digital Inputs: Coaxial SPDIF, Optical Toslink, USB-B and aptX Bluetooth 5.0 enable most digital sources to be connected.
DAC: The 4040 A leverages the power of a 32-bit ES9018K2M Sabre32 reference DAC to convert digital signals into analogue.
Power Amplifier: Modern, multi-driver loudspeakers using complex cross-over circuitry present a heavy demand on any amplifier. The 4040 A employs cutting-edge MERUS™ Infineon technology to enable it to drive even the most difficult loads to realistic listening levels with high fidelity. AUX 1 can be selected as a DIRECT power amp input if required.
Power Supply: The key to the integrated amplifier's impressive performance is in its high-frequency power supply, optimised for audio electronics, enabling the latent quality of its amplifier to be realised. The performance is unaffected by mains quality or voltage stability. Unlike most conventional amplifiers, its 350-Watt power supply is voltage stabilised, enabling it to double its power output into half the load impedance, regardless of the mains voltage.
Standby: Signal sensing enables the 4040 A to reduce power consumption by powering down non-essential circuitry when not required. Standby timeout can be selected in the menu.
Creek Audio 4040 A Reviews
"Designer Michael Creek says that his new baby puts out 55W RMS per channel into 8 ohms, and a very healthy 110W into half that load, both channels driven. Contrast that to the old CAS4040 with its 30W, which itself was based upon an upgraded version of a 10W power amp circuit used by his father's audio company, Wyndsor.
Of course, this is only possible thanks to the use of Class D power modules; Mike tells me that it simply wouldn't have been viable to do a Class AB design (like the original CAS4040) in a half-width case and incorporate the DAC and Bluetooth functionality of this new amp. Thanks to the very high efficiency of Class D – which gives out far less heat than conventional designs – it's possible to reliably produce a lot of power in a small space.
This might produce tears of sadness in some hardcore audiophiles' eyes because many people still prefer Class AB, but everything is a compromise. Class D technology is coming on apace and can sound rather good nowadays. It's also fair to say that the 4040 A would be an inferior product were it Class AB – because its power output would be well down due to the lack of internal room for heatsinking.
The new 4040 A has good connectivity with two pairs of unbalanced RCA phono inputs and one pair of balanced XLR ins. The first auxiliary input can be reconfigured to a power amp direct input, and the second aux input can also accommodate Creek's Sequel Mk4 phono board. Four digital inputs are fitted: coaxial, optical, USB 2.0 and Bluetooth aptX HD wireless. Digital conversion is courtesy of an ESS Sabre ES9018k2m stereo DAC.
As you'd expect for an amplifier aimed at relative newcomers to this hobby, it's easy enough to use. It has two large rotary knobs controlling source and volume, respectively, plus a menu system that's accessible by pushing the source selector in. Together with the small but clear and precise colour display, you can select all manner of things via the sub-menu – including bass and treble controls. A 6.3mm headphone socket is supplied for 30 to 300 ohm 'phones. The amplifier feels nicely made and comes in a choice of black or silver fascias.
It's a hard life for a budget amplifier nowadays. They're expected to have ample power to drive most speakers, and not disgrace themselves in the sound quality stakes. The new Creek 4040 A ticks these boxes immediately – it doesn't sound or behave like a cheap integrated. Of course, more expensive amplifiers do better, but the key thing about this little box is that it hides its tracks very well – never do you feel like you're sitting in the cheap seats.
Nostalgists might not like me saying this, but I think the new 4040 A is a better all-rounder than the iconic original amplifier it pays homage to – it has more power and detail. It also retains the original's joie de vivre and generally likeable nature, as well as adding facilities and connectivity that a modern amp can't really live without these days. It's proof that four decades on, Creek Audio hasn't lost its touch – and is a fitting tribute to the company's illustrious past." David Price, StereoNet
"The original Creek CAS4040 had a tonally warm and fulsome sound, one that was less about physicality than it was musicality. The new 4040 A shares this characteristic, even if it isn't particularly similar in other respects. It's less fluffy and woolly, and more defined; instruments in the mix are better resolved and everything is a lot more explicit. This, of course, is a good thing; the new Creek combines much of the attractive signature sound of Mike Creek's earlier and very impressive amplifiers, but updates things a little for the 21st century.
Considering its very modest price and pint pot size, the Creek 4040 A achieves an awful lot. It's fascinating that despite its quite different technological DNA to the original, it retains the very attractive and desirable Creek 'house sound'. Here's hoping the company's next 40 years will be just as fruitful.
Verdict – Like: Musical, enjoyable sound; packaging – Dislike: Nothing at the price – We Say: Trad values in a modern setting" Hi-Fi Choice 5 Stars
Our Take
The 40th anniversary 4040 A integrated amplifier will suit the most demanding applications. Whether used in a domestic audio or desktop system, the feature-rich 4040 A is simple to use, yet luxurious in operation. Created to provide a totally immersive high-end experience.
"With five decades' experience in the audio business, I have seen a lot of electronic developments in my time, but I am really excited about this major step forward in technology and musical performance" Mike Creek – Creek Audio
Main Features & Specifications
- Design: Stereo Integrated Amplifier & DAC
- Power Output: 55 Watts into 8 Ohms, 110 Watts into 4 Ohms, both channels driven
- Continuous Max Output Current: >8A, current limited
- THD & Noise: <0.01%
- Signal to Noise Ratio: 102dBA Aux input, loaded
- Frequency Response: 1Hz to 50 kHz, +/-3dB
- Input Sensitivity: 440mV
- Crosstalk: >100dB at 1 kHz
- Connections
- Line Level Inputs: 2 Stereo RCA (unbalanced) and 1 Stereo XLR (balanced)
- Plug-in Phono options: Aux 2 changes to Phono with an optional Sequel MK4 MM Phono card fitted (available separately)
- Home Theatre Bypass: Aux 1 can be reconfigured to Power Amp Direct mode
- Digital Inputs: 1 Coaxial, 1 Optical, 1 USB-B 2.0 PCM & DSD, Bluetooth aptX HD
- Headphone Output: 6.35 mm stereo jack socket for 30 – 300 Ohm headphones
- Loudspeaker Outputs: 4 mm binding posts suitable for bare wire, spades or banana plugs
- Digital to Analogue Converter: ES9018 Sabre premier stereo DAC
- Speaker output impedance: <0.02 Ohms 20Hz to 20 kHz. Damping factor >400 into 8 Ohms
- Mains input voltage range: 100V to 240V nominal, 50Hz or 60Hz (automatic multi-region)
- Fuse: Built into the power supply and not user serviceable
- Power Consumption: 5W, 250W, <0.5W – Idle, Max, Standby
- Auto Standby: The amp will switch off automatically after an adjustable pre-set time, with no signal, or standby can be defeated in menu
- Available Finishes: Silver or Black front panel (case is black only)
- Dimensions (WxHxD): 215 x 60 x 255mm (including feet, knobs, loudspeaker terminals and BT antenna)
- Weight: 2 kg
- Manufacturer's Warranty: 1 Year
Note: Specifications Subject To Change Without Notice. E&OE.