- Creek Audio has always been a fan of the vinyl disc. For those consumers who have an interest in enjoying this exciting source of high quality music there are few amplifiers equipped to deal with this format directly. It is not possible for a pick-up cartridge to connect directly to an amplifier without a Phono pre-amplifier in-between. A Phono pre-amplifier is designed to boost the signal level and change the frequency response in accordance with the RIAA standard. All Creek integrated amplifiers built, from 1993, have been designed to accept a plug-in Phono module to enable vinyl disc reproduction. The latest Creek plug-in Phono module is called Sequel mk2 and is designed to match a wide-range of MM and MC cartridges. It can be fitted to the latest integrated amps from Creek, and many of the earlier ones. See the list below for details. The module must be fitted, inside the amp in a slot that will change the Auxiliary Line input into a Phono input. Either the supplying dealer, or the user, must fit the Phono pre-amp before the amp can be used to replay vinyl discs. The circuit cannot be switched for MM or MC use, so the correct module must be chosen to match the cartridge fitted on the turntable. The EVOLUTIONamp’s display will automatically show Phono, when the amp is fitted with the Plug-in module and selected for that input.
- The Sequel 40 mk2 MM Phono pre-amp is the device specifically suited for most types of Moving Magnet cartridges, with an output between 3.5 to 5mV and a matching impedance of 47k Ohms. The Sequel 40 mk2 is not suitable for high output MC cartridges, which require higher gain and 47k Ohm matching. The Sequel 48 mk2 is made for this purpose. The Sequel mk2 has two gain stages using low-noise op-amps. RIAA correction is performed both active and passively. The first gain stage matches the MM cartridge’s 47k Ohms impedance and adds gain, without changing the frequency response. The first stage of RIAA de-emphasis is performed passively between the two gain stages. The second gain stage boosts the level further and uses active filtering in its feedback for the RIAA de-emphasis, For improved RIAA accuracy and improved sonic quality, the Sequel mk2 is made with E96 1 % tolerance metal film resistors and 1% tolerance polypropylene WIMA capacitors. To eliminate coupling capacitors that can negatively affect the sound, a DC servo circuit is used to block DC from input to output and roll-off low frequencies sensibly below 10Hz. There is no rumble filter in this design. The Sequel mk2 is powered by a dedicated voltage from the integrated amplifier, via its PCB connection pins. Locally, it uses a low noise voltage regulators, whose function is to stabilise the voltage and filter noise from the main power supply. The Sequel mk2 has optimal overload margin for a given gain. Please note: The Sequel Phono pre-amp cannot be fitted to the original Destiny 1 integrated amp, because the connections on the pre-amp 1 are unique and it had the special Destiny Phono pre-amp made for it only.
- The Sequel Phono modules can also be used to enable vinyl input on current and older Creek amplifiers including the following: Destiny 2 integrated amp Evolution 2 integrated amp Evolution 5350 integrated amp Classic 5350SE Integrated amp 5350SE, 5350R and 5350 Integrated amps 5250,5250R and 5250SE integrated amps 4330 and 4330SE Integrated amps, but not mk2 versions. 4240 and 4240SE Integrated amps P42 Pre-amp. A50i, A50iR, 4330mk2 and 4330SE mk2 can only use the single supply EVOLUTION MM and MC Phono, which is now out of production.
- A50i, A50iR, 4330mk2 and 4330SE mk2 can only use the single supply EVOLUTION MM and MC Phono, which is now out of production.
Gain x100 (40 dB) Frequency Response 10 Hz to 20 kHz +/- 0.5 dB Signal to Noise Ratio – 80 dB Total Harmonic Distortion < 0.03% R1AA deviation +/- 0.5% Output 400 mV from 4mV input Input Sensitivity / Impedance/ Capacitance – 4mV / 47K Ohm / 220pF Overload Margin 22 dB Suitable for medium to high output MM cartridges in the range of 3.5mV – 5mV output
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