Rega Brio-R vs Creek Evolution 50A


So I have a bit of a dilemma on my hands. I have put together a very competent 2 channel system consisting of a Rega DAC, Rega Brio-R and Rega RS5 floor stander speakers. Sources are a Mac Mini and Oppo BDP-93 over Tos-link and Coax respectively. It sounds awesome for music but I miss having surround sound for movies. The kicker here is I have a Rega VOX Center Channel and Rega RS-1 bookshelf speakers already from a previous failed attempt at a multi channel setup which are sitting here gathering dust. So I have taken to the internet in search of a way to have the best of both worlds without giving up anything. It seems like the Creek Evolution 50A might be a great solution as it has a home theatre bypass which the Brio-R sadly lacks. I know I could simply feed the pre amp outs from a receiver and set the volume at 12 o'clock on the Rega, then calibrate and call it a day but I would like a more elegant solution. Besides I tried that with a short lived Cambridge Audio Azul Receiver and was really disappointed with the results. Too low a voltage on the pre outs maybe but I had to really crank the Brio R to get any kind of volume out of it. Long story short, has anyone here heard the Rega Brio-R and the Creek Evolution 50A. I really love my Brio-R especially due to the synergy with the rest of the Rega components but I miss my movies. I listen to pretty much all genres of music from smooth Jazz to hard rock/metal and electronic so I need an amp that sounds good with everything I throw at it which the Brio-R currently does. I have read rave reviews on the Creek but I would like to get everyone's input. Thanks!
ak247

Showing 2 responses by simao

The Creek is going to be slightly more punchy than the Brio-R. I've owned the Brio-R and the Mira 3, as well as heard the Creek over at an audiocircle member's house a while ago. I preferred the Creek for its overall space, midrange presence, and ability to separate voices.

Still, you have that Rega synergy throughout the system to consider.
Yes - both the Creek Evo and the Creek OBH DAC I used to have were surprisingly nimble. Mike Creek knows how to design a well-balanced, affordable component.

In some ways you'd be making a lateral move with the Rega-to-Creek switch, with the Creek a smidge higher in overall delivery.

However, I'm a biased 2-chennal guy, so i vote for whatever gives you the best two-channel sound.