2. amps-preamps
  3. 1412881043

is my system set up correctly?


Hi all-

I have a Creek Evolution 50a and a Creek Evolution 50D cd/Dac.

I recently read this on Creek's website:

"Excellent measured and sonic performance has been achieved with this analogue integrated amp, but when using digital input signals via the matching EVOLUTION 50CD, the analogue pre-amp can be bypassed completely. The EVOLUTION 50CD has a very high-end volume control in the digital domain and ‘Class-A’ balanced audio outputs. Connecting the output directly to the 'Power amp direct' inputs elevates the performance to an even higher level."

I can't figure out what this means! I have a pair of Analysis Plus RCA interconnects running between CD player and amp on line 2. Should I be doing something differently?

Thanks!
Margot
mcanaday

Showing 2 responses by tls49

tls49's avatar
tls49
1,351 posts
 

You can try the alternate connection to see if you like it better, however, you MUST enable the volume control in the CD player before changing any connections. See owners manual. Then turn the volume control in CD player down to a minimum. You can now change connections, but when you power up, the VC on the amp will have no effect since it has been bypassed due to the direct input, and volume will be adjusted on the CD player. If you decide this is not better, change connections back to original configuration before you disable the volume control in the CD player.
tls49's avatar
tls49
1,351 posts
 

Hi Al,

Excellent post, as usual from you. Before my post, I did check the CD players manual, but only looked at the back panel of the amp, saw the "AV Direct" label assuming this already bypassed the amps volume control which is NOT true. As you noted, input 3 or input 4 can be configured for the "direct mode".
You would also want to be absolutely certain when you initially power up in that configuration that the volume control on the CD player is enabled and turned down low, because the volume control in the 50a would no longer be attenuating the signal.
Exactly the point I was trying to convey, that the CD players volume control must be enabled and at a minimum before attempting to use a "direct mode" on the amp.

Also, the amps manual states to use input 4 for this with the CD player, but I could not determine any difference with input 3 other than input 4 having the option for XLR. I'm guessing that is just related to the labeling.
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