In the world of high-fidelity audio, few names resonate as strongly as Creek Audio. The latest episode of our podcast takes you on an enthralling journey with Mike Creek, the visionary behind this iconic brand. From a modest start to becoming a household name, Mike shares the trials, triumphs, and serendipitous moments that shaped Creek Audio’s legacy.
The conversation opens with Mike recounting his early days as a freelance engineer, His first Creek Audio product wasn’t a fresh slate but rather a culmination of experiences and ideas.
Listeners are treated to a deep dive into the technical aspects of amplifier design. Mike explains the simplicity and elegance of his first product, the CAS 4040, a straightforward yet high-performing amplifier that defied conventions with its class B design. His approach to value engineering, making the most out of limited resources, is both fascinating and inspiring. Creek Audio was almost an overnight success, quickly taking the UK, HiFi world by storm. Initially, this huge interest in Creek Audio caused the “problem” of too many orders for the fledgling business. Now Creek Audio is a world wide, well loved HiFi success story.
40+ years on, Creek Audio is going strong and has released the CAS 4040A, 40th anniversary amplifier model into the market for the world to enjoy.
Ep016 Creek Audio episodes, transcripts, history and pics on Not An Audiophile.
WORDS OF WISDOM FROM THIS EPISODE
“before I started Creek Audio I made the decision that I never ever wanted to have anything to do with manufacturing again if it was the last job in the world. With all the problems I had experienced with my father’s company in the five years I worked there that I didn’t want to repeat….”
” You entered the market with this wonderful, simple amplifier..it was taken up very readily and you quickly found yourself in a situation where you needed to make more..”
“it was overtrading in the extreme. To have 600% growth per annum would be dangerous for any business and one day it came very close to wiping us out…”
People mentioned on this episode –
Mike Creek – Creek Audio Systems
Andrew Hutchison – Dellichord
Models mentioned on this episode –
Creek Audio Systems – CAS – Model 440 integrated amplifier
Businesses mentioned on this episode –
Doug Brady HiFi
AMBIT international
Brands mentioned on this episode –
CAS – Creek Audio Systems –
EMF Audio
Mordaunt Short – loudspeakers
AMBIT
Linn
KEF
Rega
Exposure
EPOS
Tannoy
Goodmans
Marten Audio
Phillips
Arcam
NAD
Windsor
Music courtesy of –
Please Listen Carefully by Jahzzar http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Jahzzar
Creative Commons — Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported— CC BY-SA 3.0
Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/please-listen-carefully
Music promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/GGVFRIgP7uc
CREDITS –
Guest management, regular co-hosting – Brad Serhan
Host, audio production – Andrew Hutchison