Creek OBH-12 Preamplifier (SS) Review by MikeP

The Creek OBH-12 is a passive controller rather than a true preamp. It has 2 inputs and one tape loop. It has one set of tape outs (fixed) and one set of variable outs. Volume is contollable from the front panel or the remote. Source selection and mute are controllable only from the remote.

As a passive, system matching is more critical than with an active preamp. In a compatible system, however, the little Creek is a phenomenal performer. The sound is very transparent, very smooth and with excellent low level detail.

Microdynamics are excellent, but macrodynamics can't quite compete with a good active preamp. With a good active pre, bass/midbass is a little fuller and large scale dynamic contrasts are a little more realistic.

A good tube preamp will provide slightly more "roundness" to the notes, but the Creek is very natural sounding, particularly with acoustic music.

The Creek really lets the sound of the amp come through. Every amp I connected to the Creek sounded different. Part of this is probably the different impedence characteristics of each amp, but much of it is the sound of the amps themselves. I was also able to hear greater differences with various interconnects than before. The Creek is so transparent that I find it to be an excellent tool for use evaluating other components, as long as the inherent system matching limitations of a passive are kept in mind.

I have not heard any preamp at anywhere near the price of the Creek which sounds as good. In fact I prefer the Creek to a couple of preamps in the $2000 plus range. YMMV of course. The Creek is a steal at its list price (cute too). Anybody looking for a good sounding preamp on the cheap should at least take a look at one. Oh yeah, the remote is addictive.

Product Weakness:	limited # of inputs, macrodynamics
Product Strengths:	Sound, remote control, cheap

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