22. January 2025

Creek 4040 A: “Highlight” in the test by i-fidelity.net

The online magazine i-fidelity.net tested the compact integrated amplifier Creek 4040 A in January and awarded it not only the top sound rating of “outstanding” but also the designation “Highlight”:

“During the listening tests, initially conducted with the excellent Q Acoustics 5020 speakers, a colleague speculated that the potential of the petite British amp might even be sufficient to drive speakers like the Epos ES-7N. We started with Herbert Grönemeyer’s album 4630 Bochum. During Flugzeuge Im Bauch, the vocals are clearly rendered, the bass is massive and characteristically bloated in a rap-like way. What the 4040A does differently, however, is the clear reproduction of background details – a five-word phrase here, a fragment of the chorus there. This is pure listening pleasure.

Then, with the Hamburg group Meute’s Live In Paris, delicate percussion meets rich brass sections, celebrated by the audience. With the track Hey, Hey, the Q Acoustics 5020 shows limitations in imaging size and dynamics, but when the Epos ES-7N is connected, it practically explodes. The radiant timbres of the brass, the pulsating, deep rhythm – how does this compact speaker generate such power? – and above all, the dimensionality of the soundstage, are magnificent.

At the end, there was a crazy idea born of chance: the Creek 4040A ended up on the desk. Since the little Brit is equipped with a USB input and a headphone output, connecting it to a computer was quick and easy. As soon as the first notes sound through the Quad ERA-1, it becomes clear that this mode of listening also exceeds the usual quality standards. […] The Creek presents Spliff’s Glaspalast flawlessly, Herwig Mitteregger’s distinctive voice and Reinhold Heil’s expansive keyboard textures show no harshness. The Creek 4040 A as a headphone amplifier for a computer? This function alone justifies the investment, and considering that Bluetooth, phono options, analog inputs (including one balanced!) are also included, purchasing it is a foolproof decision.”

Test Result
Rarely has i-fidelity.net encountered an amplifier like the Creek 4040 A, which so clearly demonstrates that high-end components are defined not by their price but by smart engineering. Its minimal space requirements, practical features, and excellent sound quality make it highly versatile. Whether on a desk, a sideboard with a TV, or in a hi-fi rack, the Creek 4040 A impresses across the board. In a hi-fi rack, it shows its ability to deliver an intense sound experience from sources like Bluetooth, phono, and USB, especially when paired with speakers like the Epos ES-7N. Michael Creek’s expertise and his bold move to add a strong chapter to the culture of understatement with this amplifier are sure to make the Creek 4040 A highly successful.

Sound quality: outstanding
Features: very good
Build quality: very good

Read the entire test here in German Dealer search