I don't have any experience with either that particular Creek or with the Anthem but I've owned three Simaudio 1.5's and I can't recommend that amp highly enough.
I bought a black one, traded it for a silver one, sold that one in an irrational fit of frugality and regretted it every day after it was gone. When I saw one of the Limited Edition ones come up for sale I jumped on it and I think I'll have it for a long time.
The build quality of the I-5 is extraordinary, better than anything I've seen in the price range. The feel of the volume control alone is enough to make it worth having around. It's just a beautifully built piece of gear.
Of course, it also sounds wonderful, very transparent without ever calling attention to itself. I've used it both as an integrated and as a preamp paired with a tube amp. I don't think you can go wrong with one.
I bought a black one, traded it for a silver one, sold that one in an irrational fit of frugality and regretted it every day after it was gone. When I saw one of the Limited Edition ones come up for sale I jumped on it and I think I'll have it for a long time.
The build quality of the I-5 is extraordinary, better than anything I've seen in the price range. The feel of the volume control alone is enough to make it worth having around. It's just a beautifully built piece of gear.
Of course, it also sounds wonderful, very transparent without ever calling attention to itself. I've used it both as an integrated and as a preamp paired with a tube amp. I don't think you can go wrong with one.