Creek Evo CD Player

General Information

The Evo CD player uses a Philips VAM1201 laser assembly and low profile loader.

This transport is different to the short-loader previously used by Creek in its CD43mk2, CD50 and CD53. However, the laser and chipset are the same. The short-loader transport became obsolete; hence the switch to alternatives, such as the ATAPI drive used in the more expensive Classic and Destiny CD players.

Servo control and decoder functions are performed by a Philips chip set. Custom software controls these functions and also interfaces with user functions such as display, function buttons and remote control.

The Evo uses a single high current C core mains transformer fed from the mains via a custom designed common mode filter. To allow it to be easily used in different countries, this CD player uses an external voltage selector.

To stabilise and isolate the voltages to the various analogue and digital circuits the Evo uses no less than eight voltage regulators. Digital and analogue supplies are kept separate and the master clock uses its own supply.

One of the most important parts of a good sounding CD player is the master clock. The Evo has been designed to use a low jitter oscillator module that clocks the data from the drive to the D to A converter and also clocks the microcontroller with the same frequency. This is done to avoid the internal interference that would cause sonic performance reductions if run at a different and asynchronous frequency.

The data from the decoder is re-clocked to provide a low jitter signal to a Burr-Brown PCM 1738, DAC IC, which is capable of 24 bit/192kHz operation. However, Creek Audio does not up-sample the data as we do not believe there is performance advantage unless done correctly. The Evo CD is an entry level product and therefore its price cannot support the level of circuitry required to perform up-sampling correctly.

Following the D to A conversion, the Evo uses four high grade Burr-Brown OPA604 op-amps to sum the balanced output from the DAC and to convert the output current into a voltage.

Analogue filtering is required to the signal to eliminate digital artefacts. This needs to be buffered from the output sockets, so that external equipment does not change the filter shape and response. As it also exits the D to A converter in the reverse phase, the Evo uses two dual OPA2134 op-amps to both buffer the signal and reverse the phase prior to the output sockets. A relay is used at the output to mute the signal to ground when required.

The Evo operates conventionally with buttons for Play and Pause, Stop, Open and Close, Track forward and backward and power On/off.

A visual indication of its status is displayed on a large blue Vacuum Fluorescent Display (VFD). The display brightness can be altered from the Evo remote control handset.

Gold plated, solid metal, analogue and co-axial digital output sockets have been chosen to provide a good connection and appearance for a product at its price point. Optical digital output is also available via a standard TOSLINK connector.

Mains connection is via a standard, fused, IEC chassis plug. A high quality power cord, with suitable mains plug for the country of use is supplied.

The Evo has a dedicated remote control handset, which currently operates both the integrated amplifier and CD player. Evo uses different codes to other Creek products. Therefore it cannot be used with Classic or Destiny, nor can the alternate Creek remote handsets, ARC 53, SRC 1 or SRC 2 be used with Evo. However it has all the features you would expect, including an ability to dim the brightness of the display.

The controls are intuitive and the remote is packaged with every product.