creek classic 5350se amplifier

General Information

The Classic 5350SE evolved from one of the most popular amplifiers ever produced by Creek Audio – the 5350SE.

The Classic 5350SE is constructed in a modular way, with separate power amp, pre-amp and remote volume control circuit boards, connected with computer grade flat cables, plugs and sockets. It features a passive pre-amp circuit, providing no additional gain to the source signal. Although not strictly necessary, it can be configured with an active pre-amp if required, by plugging in an optional gain board which can be configured in steps of 3, 6 or 9 dB. An optional MM or MC Phono pre-amp can also be plugged in to further increase the flexibility of this fine integrated amplifier.

To accommodate Bi-wiring and Bi-amping, the Classic 5350SE is fitted with 2 pairs of high current speaker binding posts plus separate pre-amp output and power amp input sockets. Speaker A/B selection is switchable from the front panel. Joining and separating the pre/power sections is achieved with a switch on the rear panel, which is recessed to avoid accidental use. Typically this would be used when connecting an external device such as a subwoofer or graphic equaliser. The Classic 5350SE also hosts a front panel mounted headphone socket, which is unusual in modern integrated amplifiers.

Short circuit, DC offset and anti-thump protection circuitry makes the Classic 5350SE a sophisticated, user friendly integrated amplifier, with a technical performance close to the best that can be achieved.

For the technically minded, the Classic 5350SE uses a high current, N channel only, MOS-FET power output stage, driven by a P channel MOS-FET phase splitter and double differential voltage amplifier with symmetrical class A driver, to achieve ultra-low distortion and high speed with minimal negative feedback. Therefore, the Classic 5350SE is able to avoid using any active circuitry in its pre-amp and still achieve high input sensitivity. The optional plug-in gain board uses all discrete transistor circuitry in a unique double differential servo controlled design achieving unbelievably low distortion and noise performance.

The Classic 5350SE uses a 250VA toroidal transformer, together with multiple power supply capacitors totalling 31,000uF, 105 degree C, low impedance, to achieve the quality of computer grade capacitors but with very low inductance, for the ultimate in sonic performance.

Like other Creek amplifiers, the Classic 5350SE is DC servo controlled, to enable direct coupling from input to output and accurate low frequency roll-off, thereby eliminating sonically degrading capacitors from its signal path.

The Classic 5350SE remains a landmark in Hi-Fi design, incorporating state of the art circuitry with elegant styling to achieve a versatile and high fidelity amplifier par excellence.