Creek 4040A Amplifier, 4040CD CD Player & Acoustic Energy AE300 Mk2 Speakers

The all-new 4040 A integrated amplifier has been designed to reprise the essence of the original CAS4040 which was launched in 1982 to critical acclaim. While huge technological advances and modern digital features have propelled the 4040 A into the 21st century, it continues to release the same endorphins its ancestor did 40 years

The 4040 A’s intuitive user interface and sophisticated menu system are easily navigated by two rotary control knobs or infra-red remote control

The “feature-rich” 4040 A contains three analogue signal inputs, including two pairs of unbalanced RCA sockets and one pair of fully balanced XLR sockets, that can still be used single-ended. An electronic volume and balance control enables precise 1dB adjustments over a 70dB range. Tone controls (EQ) enable +/- 10dBs adjustment of treble and ba

Vinyl music lovers will love the Sequel mk4 Phono pre-amp in place of Line 2 to match a wide range of Moving Magnet and high output Moving Coil cartridges found on modern turntables.

A high current, low distortion headphone amplifier drives a wide range of low-impedance headphones via a front panel-mounted 6.35mm (1/4”) jack socket.

Coaxial SPDIF, optical TOSLINK, USB class 2 and aptX Bluetooth 5.0 enables digital sources, such as music streamers, TVs, CD transports, computers, and wireless Bluetooth devices to be connected.

PCM and DSD digital audio signals are converted to analogue with a reference quality 32-bit ES9018k2m Sabre32 DAC.

The 4040 A employs cutting-edge MERUS™ Infineon technology enabling it to drive even the most difficult loads to realistic listening levels with high fidelity. The power amp may be driven directly via Line 1.

The key to the integrated amplifier’s impressive performance is in its high-frequency power supply, optimised for audio electronics, enabling the latent quality of its amplifier to be realised. The performance is unaffected by mains quality or voltage stability. Unlike most conventional amplifiers, the 4040 A’s 350-Watt power supply is voltage stabilised, enabling it to double its power output into half the load impedance, regardless of the mains voltage.

Power consumption is reduced by powering-down non-essential circuitry when not required.

Specifications

Power output: 55 W into 8 Ohms, 110 W into 4 Ohms, both channels driven

Continuous max output current: >8A, current limited

Peak current: >20A

THD and Noise: <0.045%

Signal to Noise Ratio: 105dBA

Frequency Response: 5Hz to 50 kHz, +/-3dB / 10Hz – 20KHz +/-1dB

Input sensitivity: 525mV for 55 W into 8 Ohms

Gain: 32dB or x40

Crosstalk: >68dB at 1 kHz

Pre-Amp Inputs: 2x RCA (unbalanced) and 1x XLR (balanced)

Power-Amp Input: Power Amp Direct via a menu option

Plug-in Phono options: Sequel mk4 MM Phono. 40 and 50dB gain

Digital inputs: 1x co-axial, 1x optical, 1x USB 2.0

Wireless: Bluetooth aptX HD

Digital to Analogue Converter: ES9018k2m Sabre DAC.

Loudspeaker Outputs: 4mm binding posts with rear and side entry, plus a spade lug

Speaker output impedance: <0.02 Ohms 20Hz to 20 kHz

Headphone Output socket: 6.3mm stereo jack socket for 30 – 300 Ohm headphones

Mains input voltage range: 100V to 240V nominal, 50Hz or 60Hz

Power Consumption: <0.5W Standby, 5W Idle, 350W Full Power

Auto Standby: 30, 60, 120 minutes, or disabled

Finish colours: Silver or Black front panel

Weight: 2.2kgs net, 3kgs gross (packed)

Dimensions W/H/D: 21.5 x 6 x 25.5 cm 

including feet, knobs, LS terminals and BT antenna.

 
The diminutive 4040 CD’s case, with its extruded aluminium front panel, matches the 4040 A integrated amplifier. Technical advances and circuit miniaturisation over the last 40 years no longer need heavy casework and power supplies to extract digital music accurately from CD.

The 4040 CD’s intuitive user interface and sophisticated menu system are easily navigated by remote control or discreet front panel push buttons.

The 4040 CD offers three types of digital outputs for the discerning audiophile, including transformer-isolated SPDIF (via coaxial RCA), professional balanced AES-EBU (via XLR), and optical TOSLINK.

The 4040 CD provides a useful built-in DAC for convenient stand-alone analogue audio output, via a pair of RCA sockets. However, to ensure the highest quality audio reproduction, it is recommended to connect to the 4040 A by SPDIF coaxial or optical digital output, to leverage the amplifier’s excellent ES9018K2M ESS Sabre32 Reference DAC.

The key to the 4040 CD transport / CD Player’s impressive performance and small size is found in its efficient and rock-steady external DC power supply. The multi-region power supply adapter provides a solid 12V DC voltage to feed the 4040 CD’s internal voltage stabilisers that power every part of the circuitry.

Audio signal sensing enables the 4040 CD to reduce power consumption by powering down non-essential circuitry, when not required, to less than 0.5W. Timeout can be adjusted in the menu.

Properly recorded and well-maintained CDs can still provide resolution equal to most streamed music. The Compact Disc’s native 16 bit 44.1kHz format is adequate for most music replay and is not compressed. By comparison, most streamed music undergoes some form of compression to shrink its file size, with consequent losses. As a bonus, CDs provide a positive tactile experience and provide artist and title notes.

Specifications

Digital outputs: 1x coaxial RCA, 1x optical TOSLINK, 1x AES-EBU balanced digital XLR

Audio output: Stereo audio output via RCA sockets

Mains voltage: Auto-ranging from 100V to 250V, 50/60Hz

Power Consumption: 20W, <0.5W – Max, Standby

Auto Standby: Powers-down after a pre-set time with no signal. A front panel button or remote button press wakes the CD from standby, together with a useful 12V trigger Standby timeout is adjustable in the menu

Finish colours: Optional silver or black front panel. Black outer cover

Weight: 1.8kgs net, <3kgs gross

Dimensions: W/H/D: 21.5 x 6 x 22 cm 

The AE300² is an all-new compact stand-mount loudspeaker suitable for small to medium sized rooms. Featuring new cabinet design and drivers, performance has been considerably improved in all areas whilst maintaining the same competitive pricing as the previous model.

The AE300² utilises brand-new paper/coconut-fibre bass-mid drivers which were developed using research derived from the CORINIUM project. These drivers, along with an all-new soft dome tweeter are housed in an inert, slimline 18mm constrained-layer RSC™ MDF/bitumen cabinet – offering a significant step up in both audio and material quality at this price point. The slot shaped duct port on the rear of the speaker augments the bass output and has been carefully developed to reduce the effect of air turbulence with a clean, undistorted bass performance.

The cabinet is available in a choice of walnut or newly developed ‘silk-touch’ matte black or white finishes featuring screen-printed logos with trims and grilles which are colour matched for each finish. The new AE300² will easily integrate within any home décor when placed on speaker stands or bookshelves.

Specifications

• Drive Unit: 120mm paper cone

• Tweeter: 29mm fabric dome

• Frequency Range: 42Hz - 29kHz

• Sensitivity: 86dB

• Peak SPL: 112dB

• Power Handling: 120w

• Crossover Frequency: 3.5kHz

• Impedance: 6ohms

• Design: 2 way

• Grilles: Slim, cloth magnetic fit

• Dimensions: 320 x 170 x 270 (mm, HxWxD)

• Weight: 7kg (each)

• Finishes: Walnut, ‘Silk-Touch’ Matte Black or Matte White

The system doesn't come with cables, we recommend Chord Clearway X Speaker cables and DigitalARAY interconnect.