Our story starts back in the mists of the Seventies when a young Michael Creek was working for his father’s audio business – Wyndsor Recording Co. Ltd. – learning the ropes in anticipation of one day going it alone. Finally, after a stretch as a design consultant, he decided to branch out on his own, and Creek Audio Systems was formed in 1981.
The first Creek CAS4040 was sold on 31 March 1982, to Audio Projects in Leeds, and retailed for just £99. It was a comparatively small 30W RMS per channel solid-state integrated: “based upon an upgraded version of a 10W power amp circuit employed at Wyndsor in 1976”, remembers Mike.
It was an audacious move, because back at that time the hi-fi world was dominated by the NAD 3020 – an extremely capable 20W amplifier that sounded better than most rivals costing twice its price.
All the same, the Creek began to sell very well – with many cash-strapped rookie audiophiles preferring the CAS4040. The rest, as they say is history. Mike first made 100 pieces with a £4,000 bank loan; by 1985 he was selling 1,200 amps and 350 tuners per month. His total sales were approximately 25,000 CAS4040s by 1991, when he sold the company to TGI group. To cut a long story short, he bought Creek back a couple of years later and has been running it ever since.
Denne historien er fra May 2023-utgaven av Hi-Fi Choice.
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Denne historien er fra May 2023-utgaven av Hi-Fi Choice.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Old boys network
As the lineups start to emerge for this summer's festivals, Nigel Williamson investigates where the problem lies for the continuing dearth of female headliners
DESTINATION: LEITH
Welcome to a friendly haven of Californian cool in the creative heart of a former Edinburgh port. Simon Berkovitch samples the sunshine on Leith
Core values
Apple’s revamped HomePod smart speaker off ers attractive sound quality, but its Apple-centric focus remains frustrating for Cliff Joseph
Forty something
Creek Audio is celebrating its big four-o with the release of the new 4040 A integrated. Nick Tate lights the candles and listens in
One for all
German high-ender AVM wants to make top all-in-one performers. David Vivian takes a listen to its all-singing integrated amp
Three for all
The 700 Series receives a helping of tech from the flagship 800 models. Ed Selley sees how the smallest speaker fares
All in one
DAP, DAC, amplifier and streaming device, is there anything A&K’s new Acro can’t do? Cliff Joseph finds out
Wooden wonder
Better known for its speakers, ELAC’s range of electronics now has a new flagship turntable. Ed Selley takes it for a spin
System matching
Why finding the perfect synergy between your chosen integrated amplifier and favourite speakers holds the key to maximising your system’s potential
Game on!
At times the hi-fi and gaming industries might seem like they’re worlds apart, but Cliff Joseph reckons they both share a love of high-quality sound