Home / Analogue / Phono Stages
product review overlay image
Creek OBH-8 Mk2 | Phono Stages | Audio Emotion

Product Description

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 Creeks 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.

Technical Specifications

THD+Noise at 2VRMS Output(40dB gain) @ 1kHz to 10kHz = <0.003%
Channel Separation>70dB
Frequency Response10Hz 100kHz (+/-0.5dB)
SNR>76dB
Overload Margin>-21dB
Output Impedance<100 Ohms
Gain40dB fixed
MatchingResistance = 47k Ohms. Capacitance = 220pF
Dimensions (WxHxD)100 x 48 x 80mm
Weight0.4 kgs inc OBH-Uni power adapter
Power Consumption3 Watts
Mains Voltages100V to 250V AC 50/60Hz
Mains ConnectionA clip-on plug is supplied for UK, North America and Europe

Manufacturer Website

Specifications

Product Type
Phonostage
Brand
Creek
Condition
New
Product Code
CREEKOBH8MK2

Customer reviews

(3 Customer reviews)
Write A Review
5 Stars
100%
4 Stars
0%
3 Stars
0%
2 Stars
0%
1 Stars
0%

Has a hugely potent and entertaining sound as the OBH-8mk2 does and excellent job of delivering the sweeping and powerful. There is plenty of low-end output, but there is also sufficient detail and texture to ensure that the sound is constantly believable and well integrated into the rest of the frequency response.

Hi-Fi Choice | | June 2019

This little MM phono stage is probably better than most set ups feeding it! Creek's OBH-8mk2 waws well fettled turntable - at a minuscule price of £130. Unassuming, deeply capable and svelte - there's nothing better at the price.

Noel Keywood / Hi-Fi World | | November 2018

For the asking price, the OBH-8mk2 is a very impressive sounding phono stage. It does a fine job of delivering the character of the record and the turntable rather than putting its own spin on proceedings and the low noise and useful level of gain should see it work well in a wide variety of different systems.

Ed Selley / HiFi Choice | | November 2018

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 Creeks 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.

Technical Specifications

THD+Noise at 2VRMS Output(40dB gain) @ 1kHz to 10kHz = <0.003%
Channel Separation>70dB
Frequency Response10Hz 100kHz (+/-0.5dB)
SNR>76dB
Overload Margin>-21dB
Output Impedance<100 Ohms
Gain40dB fixed
MatchingResistance = 47k Ohms. Capacitance = 220pF
Dimensions (WxHxD)100 x 48 x 80mm
Weight0.4 kgs inc OBH-Uni power adapter
Power Consumption3 Watts
Mains Voltages100V to 250V AC 50/60Hz
Mains ConnectionA clip-on plug is supplied for UK, North America and Europe

Manufacturer Website
(3 Customer reviews)
Write A Review
5 Stars
100%
4 Stars
0%
3 Stars
0%
2 Stars
0%
1 Stars
0%

Has a hugely potent and entertaining sound as the OBH-8mk2 does and excellent job of delivering the sweeping and powerful. There is plenty of low-end output, but there is also sufficient detail and texture to ensure that the sound is constantly believable and well integrated into the rest of the frequency response.

Hi-Fi Choice | | June 2019

This little MM phono stage is probably better than most set ups feeding it! Creek's OBH-8mk2 waws well fettled turntable - at a minuscule price of £130. Unassuming, deeply capable and svelte - there's nothing better at the price.

Noel Keywood / Hi-Fi World | | November 2018

For the asking price, the OBH-8mk2 is a very impressive sounding phono stage. It does a fine job of delivering the character of the record and the turntable rather than putting its own spin on proceedings and the low noise and useful level of gain should see it work well in a wide variety of different systems.

Ed Selley / HiFi Choice | | November 2018

Creek logo

About the brand

The first of the Creek amplifiers, the £99 CAS4040, was launched on the UK market in 1982 and created a somewhat mixed response. Praise for its sound quality was tempered with disbelief that a fledgeling British Hi-Fi company could be successful taking on the established brands and undercutting their prices. However, what was not realised by the reviewer of the first Creek amplifiers was that Michael Creek already had a long experience in the audio industry!

It was in 1970 that Mike started working in his father’s audio company, Wyndsor Recording Co. Ltd, initially as a stock controller, then buyer, factory manager and finally as a production engineer. Wyndsor made low cost ‘reel to reel’ tape recorders, record players, cassette recorders and FM/AM radios. Working for Wyndsor provided Mike with a broad understanding of how to run an electronics company from the shop floor upwards.

In 1976 he left Wyndsor to form his own company - M R Creek Ltd - trading as a design consultant to the audio industry. He concentrated mostly on product development but also bought and sold parts to audio manufacturing companies.

By 1981 Mike started manufacturing products to his own design. He based his first product on the Wyndsor philosophy of high quality at a low price. Designing the product proved less difficult, however, than choosing a name for the company. In the end, the choice of Creek Audio Systems proved to be successful.

Website

www.creekaudio.com

Delivery Information

Delivery is free for all orders over £250.

'In Stock' items ordered before 1pm will be dispatched the same day.

We use DPD Local 'Next Day Service' for most UK deliveries. Orders sent via 'DPD Local - Next Day Service' will be fully tracked with a 1-hour delivery timeslot on the day of delivery. Standard delivery is Monday to Friday.

Saturday delivery can be selected at checkout for £19.95.

Small items and LP's may be sent using Royal Mail.

Large/heavy items may be sent using TNT Express.

For all other countries please visit the 'Delivery Information' link in the footer.

Occasionally, due to stock demand, we can sell out. If this occurs when you make a purchase, we will inform you quickly. Most out of stock items are available for dispatch within 3 working days. If your purchase is urgent, please contact us to check availability.

3 Customer Reviews

Creek OBH-8 Mk2 Phono Stage

Available

Product Code CREEKOBH8MK2

Price Promise: If you find an identical item cheaper from one of our online competitors, tell us and not only will we match the price, we'll beat it by 10% of the difference! Terms and conditions apply, see more information about our price promise.

Customer Reviews

Rated 5-Star
on reviews.co.uk

Free UK Delivery
on orders over £250

Generous Part Exchange
contact us for a quote

Satisfaction Guarantee
up to 90 days exchange
VAT Number: 945 0045 42 Registered company: SC351858
© Copyright 2025   Audio Emotion All rights reserved


© Audio Emotion Ltd 2025
VAT Number: 945 0045 42 Registered company: SC351858
We are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Firm Reference Number: 840506

*PayPal Credit and PayPal Pay in 3 are trading names of PayPal UK Ltd, 5 Fleet Place, London, United Kingdom, EC4M 7RD. Terms and conditions apply. Credit subject to status, UK residents only, Audio Emotion Ltd acts as a broker and offers finance from PayPal Credit. PayPal Pay in 3 is not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Pay in 3 eligibility is subject to status and approval. 18+. UK residents only. Pay in 3 is a form of credit. Check if affordable and how you will repay. May make other borrowing more difficult or expensive. See product terms for more details.