Интегральные усилители — Creek Audio 4040 A

The 4040 A is a compact stereo integrated with an onboard digital converter, made by Creek Audio, whose design and engineering team is based in London. It revives the name of the original CAS4040 launched in 1982, now with Class D amplification based on MERUS technology from Infineon.

Key specs that matter

Creek rates the amplifier at 55 W per channel into 8 ohms and 110 W into 4 ohms with both channels driven. Continuous output current exceeds 8 A with current limiting, and peak current exceeds 20 A. THD plus noise stays below 0.045 %, signal to noise ratio is 105 dBA and crosstalk is better than 68 dB at 1 kHz. Frequency response runs from 5 Hz to 50 kHz within 3 dB and from 10 Hz to 20 kHz within 1 dB. Input sensitivity is 525 mV for full output into 8 ohms, and gain is 32 dB. Damping factor exceeds 100, with speaker output impedance under 0.02 ohms across 20 Hz to 20 kHz. The case is 215 x 60 x 255 mm and weighs 2.2 kg net.

Engineering and use context

Amplification is built on the MERUS MA5332MS, a 7 x 7 mm stereo Class D chip with built-in MOSFETs, fed by a voltage-stabilised high-frequency supply rated at 350 W. Creek states that this lets output double as impedance halves regardless of mains stability. Line-level connections comprise two RCA pairs together with one XLR pair that can also take single-ended signals, and a Power Amp Direct mode can be set in the menu. Electronic volume works in 1 dB increments over 70 dB, alongside balance and bass and treble controls of 10 dB either way. The digital section uses an ES9018K2M Sabre32 converter handling PCM and DSD through coaxial, optical and USB 2.0 inputs, plus Bluetooth 5.0 with aptX HD. A 6.35 mm headphone socket drives loads from 30 to 300 ohms. An optional Sequel mk4 phono board replaces Line 2 and suits MM pickups and high-output MC pickups at 40 or 50 dB of gain. Consumption is under 0.5 W in standby and 5 W at idle, with auto standby after 30, 60 or 120 minutes or disabled. Mains input spans 100 to 240 V at 50 or 60 Hz, and the packed weight is 3 kg.

Pairing

The 4 mm binding posts take rear or side entry plugs and spade lugs, and the small footprint suits a desk or shelf next to compact loudspeakers. Two rotary knobs and an infrared remote handle control, and front panels come in silver or black.

Alternatives

The Creek Voyage i20 is a bigger Creek integrated model rated at 120 W into 8 ohms with Class G output circuitry.