Evolution 2
CD Player
CD Player
The Evolution 2 CD Player is the latest incarnation of Creek Audio’s successful entry level Evolution
CD Player. The Evolution 2 built upon the strengths of the original by replacing older technology
parts and retaining the best bits, to enhance its overall performance. It is designed to cosmetically
match the Evolution 2 and the Evolution 5350 integrated amplifiers and Evolution tuner. The player
will naturally work with any other brand of hi-fi amplifier
The Evolution 2 CD player is housed in a large steel and aluminium case and finished in either a
brushed silver or black 12 mm thick front panel. Rubber isolation feet help to prevent mechanical
vibrations from interfering with its high quality performance. It is physically the same size as the
earlier model and matches the tuner and slightly larger integrated amplifier.
At the heart of a good CD Player is a high quality transport mechanism. The Evolution 2 uses a
dedicated CD transport mechanism comprising of custom made drawer loader and high quality
laser assembly. Soft rubber bushes help to maintain playability under conditions of mechanical
vibration. This brings improved playability strength and smoothness to its operation not bettered
by CD players at any price.
CD decoder and servo motor control functions are performed by a new Philips Compact Disc
chip-set. This is now located on a dedicated circuit board mounted directly under the laser assembly
for the shortest possible signal routing. This provides the Evolution 2 with a self-contained CD
transport module. Power supply, digital control, SPDIF output and I2S signals to the DAC are
connected to the main board with only two connectors.
The Evolution 2 uses a single high current C core mains transformer, with multiple low voltage
output windings, fed from the mains IEC connector via a common mode filter. An external voltage
selector allows it to be easily used in all countries. Mains connection is via a standard, fused,
IEC chassis plug. To stabilise and isolate the voltages to the various analogue and digital circuits
the Evolution 2 uses eight voltage regulators. Digital and analogue power supplies are kept
completely separate and even the master clock circuit uses its own power supply.
Essential to a good sounding CD player is a low jitter master clock. The Evolution 2 has been
designed to use a highly accurate oscillator module that clocks the data from the CD decoder
to the D to A converter and also clocks the system micro-controller with the same frequency.
This is done to reduce the internal interference that would otherwise cause sonic performance
reductions if allowed to run at a different, asynchronous frequency. The digital I2S data from the
decoder is re-clocked to provide a low jitter signal to the DAC
Every CD player needs a DAC to recover the analogue signal from the digital recording. The
Evolution 2 now has a Burr-Brown PCM 1796 DAC circuit, which is capable of 24 bit/192kHz
operation. It provides a balanced current output, so it is necessary to convert this into an
unbalanced voltage output before it can be used. Creek do this by using a high grade op-amp.
To eliminate digital artefacts from interfering with the analogue sound quality analogue filtering
and impedance buffering are applied to the signal, also with a high grade op-amp. A gold contact
relay is used at the output to mute the signal to ground when the player is stopped and paused.
Gold plated RCA analogue and digital output sockets have been chosen to provide a good
connection and appearance for a product at its price point. Optical digital output is also available
via a standard TOSLINK connector.
CD Player. The Evolution 2 built upon the strengths of the original by replacing older technology
parts and retaining the best bits, to enhance its overall performance. It is designed to cosmetically
match the Evolution 2 and the Evolution 5350 integrated amplifiers and Evolution tuner. The player
will naturally work with any other brand of hi-
The Evolution 2 CD player is housed in a large steel and aluminium case and finished in either a
brushed silver or black 12 mm thick front panel. Rubber isolation feet help to prevent mechanical
vibrations from interfering with its high quality performance. It is physically the same size as the
earlier model and matches the tuner and slightly larger integrated amplifier.
At the heart of a good CD Player is a high quality transport mechanism. The Evolution 2 uses a
dedicated CD transport mechanism comprising of custom made drawer loader and high quality
laser assembly. Soft rubber bushes help to maintain playability under conditions of mechanical
vibration. This brings improved playability strength and smoothness to its operation not bettered
by CD players at any price.
CD decoder and servo motor control functions are performed by a new Philips Compact Disc
chip-
connected to the main board with only two connectors.
The Evolution 2 uses a single high current C core mains transformer, with multiple low voltage
output windings, fed from the mains IEC connector via a common mode filter. An external voltage
selector allows it to be easily used in all countries. Mains connection is via a standard, fused,
IEC chassis plug. To stabilise and isolate the voltages to the various analogue and digital circuits
the Evolution 2 uses eight voltage regulators. Digital and analogue power supplies are kept
completely separate and even the master clock circuit uses its own power supply.
Essential to a good sounding CD player is a low jitter master clock. The Evolution 2 has been
designed to use a highly accurate oscillator module that clocks the data from the CD decoder
to the D to A converter and also clocks the system micro-
reductions if allowed to run at a different, asynchronous frequency. The digital I2S data from the
decoder is re-
Every CD player needs a DAC to recover the analogue signal from the digital recording. The
Evolution 2 now has a Burr-
operation. It provides a balanced current output, so it is necessary to convert this into an
unbalanced voltage output before it can be used. Creek do this by using a high grade op-
and impedance buffering are applied to the signal, also with a high grade op-
Gold plated RCA analogue and digital output sockets have been chosen to provide a good
connection and appearance for a product at its price point. Optical digital output is also available
via a standard TOSLINK connector.
Specification
Power requirements
Power consumption
Frequency response
Output level
Output impedance
D to A type
Total harmonic distortion
THD + Noise
Dynamic range
Laser type
Wavelength
Light output (CW)
Transport
Mains voltage @ 50 Hz
@ 60 Hz
Finish
Weight
Dimensions
Remote control
Warranty
Power requirements
Power consumption
Frequency response
Output level
Output impedance
D to A type
Total harmonic distortion
THD + Noise
Dynamic range
Laser type
Wavelength
Light output (CW)
Transport
Mains voltage @ 50 Hz
@ 60 Hz
Finish
Weight
Dimensions
Remote control
Warranty
Supplied 220/240 - 50Hz or 110/120 - 60 Hz
Selectable by switch on rear panel
23W max
1 Hz - 20 kHz +/- 0.25dB
20V RMS at 1 kHz 0dB
50 Ohms recommended min load 1 kOhm
24 bit 192 kHz Burr-Brown Delta Sigma
<0.0008% at 1 kHz 0dB
> -97dB
> 100dB
Semiconductor ALGaAs
790 nm +/- 25 nm
0.18 mW typical
Drawer loader CD12
110/220V North America
220/240 Europe Asia UK
Silver or Black
6 Kgs
430 x 70 x 340 mm
Creek SRC3
Two years original purchaser only
Warranty valid in country of purchase
23W max
1 Hz -
50 Ohms recommended min load 1 kOhm
24 bit 192 kHz Burr-
> -
Semiconductor ALGaAs
790 nm +/-
Drawer loader CD12
110/220V North America
220/240 Europe Asia UK
Silver or Black
6 Kgs
430 x 70 x 340 mm
Creek SRC3
Two years original purchaser only
Warranty valid in country of purchase
Copyright © Epoz 2011
