Saturday, July 27, 2013

2-Channel Integrated Amplifier

Creek Audio Limited Evolution 2 2-Channel Integrated Amplifier



Changes have been made to the amplifier to refresh the design for 2009, to match the new EVOLUTION 2 CD Player. However, there is no reason why it cannot work with the mk1 CD player also.

To achieve 80 Watts power into an 8 Ohms load and >140 Watts into 4 Ohms, the mains transformer has to be big. The Evolution 2 uses a 250VA toroidal transformer, which will provide enough current to almost double its output into 4 Ohms. To achieve high-end sound quality, no expense has been spared.

Separate windings are used for each of the high current high voltage and low voltage, analogue and digital circuits. A high capacity power supply using 20,000 micro-Farads of multiple smoothing capacitors are used to power the left and right power amplifiers and provide a very dynamic performance.

The Evolution 2 uses a high quality, Burr-Brown PGA2311, digitally controlled analogue volume control. This allows the user to adjust the volume accurately, from 0 to -80dB. An analogue style rotary encoder, with 40mm solid control knob, is used to alter the volume from the front panel and display the relative level on a large blue colored VFD. Position 80 is the loudest and 0 is mute. To amplify the signals into the volume control circuit, a high grade Burr-Brown OPA2134 Op-Amp is used as a pre-amplifier. Signal switching is performed by gold contact relays, which are digitally selected from a microcontroller, similar to the Destiny Integrated Amplifier.

The Evolution 2 is configured with higher open-loop gain, using a double differential input and driver stage plus discrete Darlington power output stage, using high current bi-polar transistors. High grade polypropylene capacitors, bypassed with large value electrolytic capacitors, are used to couple and decouple the signal into the power amp.
  • Burr-Brown PGA2311, digitally controlled analogue volume control
  • Gold plated input and output sockets
  • Mains transformer size has been optimized to improve performance
  • 75 Watts x 2 channels (Power in to 8 ohms, both channels driven)
  • Binding: Electronics
  • Label: Creek Audio Limited
  • Model: Evolution 2
  • Product Group: Receiver or Amplifier

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