Creek OBH-8 Mk2 Phono Stage

Creek OBH-8 Mk2 Phono Stage is s replacement for the original OBH-8 MM Phono Pre-amp with some valuable improvements and extra features including a new type of low profile metal case which was developed to reduce the cost without reducing quality.

Compact Build

The OBH-8 MK2 is small device designed to boost the signal level by 40dB (x100) and change the frequency response to provide the most accurate reproduction of the recording. The OBH-8 MK2 is now produced in a smaller metal case to complement the Creek Evolution full sized range.

Discrete Circuit

To enhance the performance, the power supply is split into a negative and positive voltage by a custom Creek discrete circuit. Two capacitance multipliers further filter the power supply, before they power the pre-amp circuitry, to reduce any unwanted ripple to virtually nothing. To reduce distortion Creek has also fitted constant current sources to the output of the gain stage, pushing it into Class A. This combined with a low output impedance make it suitable for driving long cables with ease.

Why a Phono Preamp?

With modern amplifiers expected to cater for so many new source devices, the Phono capability, once very common, is one of those built-in features that has disappeared in recent times. Creek Audio has always loved the benefits of vinyl records and continues to work on technical and sonic improvements to its range of Phono amp options, be it the stand-alone OBH or plug-in Sequel types. The OBH-8mk2 has a completely new circuit design, utilising an integrated circuit MM stage. The signal required by most modern amplifiers is described as ‘LINE’ level which ranges from 200 to 500mV sensitivity, with a flat frequency response. Without a specific ‘Phono’ or Disc input, this level will be too low to play vinyl and the frequency response will be incorrect. Hence the need for a Phono pre-amp.

OBH-Uni

OBH-Uni is a multi-region, 24V, 0.5A high efficiency regulated power supply adaptor, originally developed to simplify the requirements for selling OBH products in all countries. However, extensive listening tests and comparisons proved that It can also extract the best performance from Creek’s OBH-15mk2 and OBH-8mk2 Phono Pre-amps, which have high-gain and are therefore more demanding of power supply purity. It is over-rated and can provide 4 times more power than required. It draws less than 0.1W when idle, or plugged-in but not used. It is also silent in operation, from zero to maximum current consumption.

Suggested System

The OBH-8mk2 Phono Pre-amp will work very well in the following system. The speakers used will be dependent on the size of room your system is to be used in.
- Amplifier: Evolution 50A
- Amplifier: Evolution 100A
- Cartridge: MC = Goldring Elite
- Cartridge: MC = Goldring Legacy