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Advice on New Integrated Amplifier

I need some advice on cleaning up my current system, which is:

Integrated Amplifier: Creek 5350 SE (with phono card)
Turntable: Roksan Radius 5
Loudspeakers: Totem Arro
Digital: iTunes/Spotify via wifi only

I am having a problem with the Creek. One channel drops out (scratchy for a bit then gone) intermittently. I emailed Mike Creek about it, posted on these forums before, and conducted research. It seems the ribbon connectors need to be cleaned frequently. Mike Creek said to open the unit and blow out the female receptacles. That didn't work too well so I used compressed air and deoxit. I've done this 3 times in 18 months. So, every six months I need to crack open this integrated to keep it working. Ugh.

I took the unit to a local repair shop in Chicago. They could find nothing wrong with it. Go figure. They were not interested in hardwiring each of the 16 pin connectors involved. Neither am I and I'm not too bad with a soldering iron.

So, I'm likely in need an integrated amplifier. I'm thinking that I need the following:

- < $2k in cost (new or used)
- Decent ability to drive 4-6 ohm loads
- A & B speaker outs because I drive a main set (Totem Arros) and another in my office (Monitor Audio in ceiling units)

I may also think about upgrading my Totem Arros to Tannoy Revolution XT 6Fs (http://tannoy.com/residential/#!products_1547)

I listen to a broad spectrum of music including:

Rock/Pop
Blues/Folk
Jazz

I would really appreciate the advice of forum users! PS: I bought the Creek used from Audiogon and have had issues since I got it so there's no warranty for me. I love the sound of it and its simplicity.
jbhiller

Showing 1 response by akg_ca

akg_ca's avatar
akg_ca
2,380 posts
 
System synergy is everything..... You know when you find it .
There are a buzzilion choices out there but narrowing down to those select few requires some patience and personal auditions.

I've owned both the Totem Arros and Forests simultaneously in prior systems. I've auditioned many contenders and pretenders with them.
For my select coin .... SIMAUDIO integrated amp .... Full stop.

These are frequently paired up with Totems at audio expos, and since both hail from Montreal, they are frequently voiced with each other's kit .
Totem's own (discontinued) AMBER integrated amp was a joint development with SIMAUDIO based on the matters design.

To raise it up another notch, slide in a matched SIMAUDIO Cdp and DAC.
But don't scrimp and nickel-n-dime the ICs with any SIMAUDIO product ... They are very revealing and using crap cables with them will create a predictable matched result accordingly.

Last point....

The ARROs perform at their max using Totems own TRESS speaker cable which is a near clone of CHORD's Rumour or Oddysey ( all are silver plated copper). I used both with the Arros with a slight personal slant toward the TRESS (that's what the Arros are apparently internally wired with)
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