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Phono Stages - Creek Audio

The output level from a turntable is lower than other "line level" music sources (e.g. hi-fi streamer, CD player), so to use a turntable, your hi-fi amplifier needs to have a "turntable" or "phono" input, which indicates it has a built in phono stage. However, these are generally built to cost (a tick on the features list) rather than being optimised for performance. As such, we recommend using a dedicated phono stage for the best sound quality. We are passionate about vinyl and analog, so if you need advice on matching a phono stage to your turntable and cartridge, please call or e-mail for advice.


Creek Audio has been a central part of the Hi-Fi industry in Britian, for over 30 years. During the 30 years, Creek Audio has never moved from their founding principles of purity of sound with top quality products at an affordable price.

Creek Audio employs the latest CAD software and machinery, with sophisticated testing to achieve innovative and well-thought-out designs. Mike Creek, the founder of Creek Audio, started is career in his father's company Wyndsor Recording Co. Ltd. Between 1970 and 1976 Mike Creek took on many roles, from stock controller, buyer, to factory manager and production engineer. Wyndsor Recording Co produced low cost 'reel to reel' tape recorders, turntables, cassette recorders and basic FM/AM radios. These initial products gave Mike a broad knowledge of how to run an electronics company from the bottom upwards.

He left after 6 years to start his own company initially as M R Creek Ltd working from an unused room in his home and space in his garage. He traded as a design consultant to the audio industry with a focus on product development as well as buying and selling parts to audio manufacturing companies. By 1981, he began manufacturing products to his own design and based his first one on the Wyndsor philosophy of high quality at a low price. This was the 30 watt CASA4040 integrated amplifier built in a fashionable metal case with a wooden cover. A matching tuner was launched the following year and soon became a benchmark in radio design.

In 1983, the increased consumer demand made it necessary for the company to move to larger and more professional premises. The new factory facility and by using a sub-contractor enabled the company to rapidly expand, consequently. by the mid 80’s they were selling up to 1550 units per month. During 1985, they also introduced the more expensive 4140 integrated amplifier that excluded tone controls but was slightly more powerful.

Despite the market growing far more competitive, Creek remained the market leader and the exceptional press and export demand they received accelerated allowing them to sell in 20 countries. In 1988 Mike sold his company to Mordaunt Short undertaking the role of chief engineer, and three years later formed EMF Audio, a company manufacturing a 50w integrated amplifier and a Delta Sigma D to A converter which was more expensive than Creek products. This opened their doors to new markets in Europe and the Far East. Mike Creek, together with partners from Switzerland, USA and Germany purchased the rights to the name Creek Audio in 1993.

Creek Audio Ltd was recreated and new products were produced, with the sales and R&D department moving back to their original premises in north London, initially employing a group of ex-Creek employees. In the late 1990s Creek products garnered more interest and their products won many revered awards. In 1999 Michael Creek independently acquired Epos Acoustics (Epos Ltd) which manufactured legendary loudspeaker systems renowned for their quality.

Following the release of the 50 series one year prior displaying the all new silver-fronted Creek design, 2004 saw Mike buy out his partners and assume 100% ownership of the company. His desire to recapture the part of the budget market that his products had served so well in lead him to set up an office in China where he managed to form an allegiance with one of the country's specialist high quality manufacturers

Creek remained true to the 2 channel market, not being tempted to venture into multi-channel and in 2007 released their first ever turntable named in memory of his late father's company; the Wyndsor turntable. Despite the great structural changes, the company has seen they have always maintained their standards of simple uncluttered designs for people who love music that exhibit technical sophistication, feature State of the Art electronics with minimalist operation and focus on a total system approach.

Creek Audio are mulit award winners, with many of its products being highly awarded by the industry. The products that have been awarded include Integrated Amplifiers, CD Players, FM Tuners and accessories such as: Phono Stages, Headphone Amplifiers and Preamplifiers.

Some turntables feature an on board phono stage, which will allow for direct connection to an amplifier. Many amplifiers also include a “phono” amplifier internally, enabling a direct connection from a turntable. However, as mentioned, there is a wide range of separate standalone phono stages available, varying in price, size and quality to suit every taste and budget. Using a good quality separate unit can have a profound effect on the overall sound and tonality of your system, and can also be used to augment and adjust a system which is tonally too bright or too lacklustre. For example, a system which is too bright may benefit from a valve-based phono stage to remove some harshness and to offer more tonal warmth to your music. We appreciate that matching your kit can be a complicated and daunting process, so our knowledgeable team is always happy to offer recommendations or to arrange a demonstration.

The separation of components and units is a key technique in hi-fi. Power supplies are typically noisy and produce unwanted resonance, which can interfere with audio signals and the sound you achieve from your hi-fi. Separate pre and power amplifiers are preferable to integrated amplifiers, as the separation of power supplies for the pre and power circuitry prevents unwanted resonance effecting performance. This same logic applies to a standalone phono stage, and is perhaps even more significant due to the analogue nature of vinyl records, and the adverse effect that any unwanted resonance or vibrations can have on a cartridge’s ability to track and play back vinyl records. By housing the phono stage in a separate unit, the stage’s power supply is essentially isolated from the turntable, making it easier to prevent any undesired effects of resonance on you enjoying your record collection.

It is essential to match your phono stage to your phono cartridge, in order to ensure that they are compatible. Some Moving Coil (MC) cartridges are very low output, and so will need a correspondingly high output phono stage able to boost the signals to an audible level. There are also some High Output Moving Coil cartridges, whose output levels are closer to levels found in Moving Magnet cartridges, and higher than those typically found in standard Moving Coil cartridges. Some phono stages are suitable for use with these High Output cartridges, but not every type of Moving Coil cartridge. It is vital to check that your phono stage matches the power output of your cartridge, although if you have a Moving Magnet (MM) cartridge then there should be no issues with pairing.

Phono Stages - Creek Audio

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