Interesting.
I too have been interested in maybe picking up a Creek integrated to upgrade my 2-channel system and add headphones to the mix. I sent them an e-mail asking about the quality of their headphone output and got a similar response:
"Dear Sir,
The headphone output on all our integrated amplifiers are supplied direct from the main amplifier stage via a large resistor.
The output quality would be similar to that of the OBH-21SE, however this unit is no longer in production. I'm sure you would be more than satisfied with either the Evolution 2 or Destiny 2 models.
Regards,
Creek Audio Ltd & Epos Ltd Team"
That begs the question - how good is the OBH-21? I'm guessing it's decent, but not a standout amp like Burson, Woo, etc.
By the way, I've been checking out a lot of newer integrated amps and something bothers me. Is it just me, or do they all seem to have tiny transformers compared to the big, over-engineered monoliths found in older vintage gear? They are small little boxes with small little boards and small (if any) heat sinks.
I kind of think of consumer electronics like I do cars. A new Mercedes or Porsche has lots of bells and whistles, drives well and costs a fortune, but they aren't built like they used to be. Cheaper plastics to keep weight down, and rattles/squeaks after 30,000 miles. They are computer CAD/CAM designed to last 8-10 years and are not designed to be owner-serviced. Compare this to vintage German cars from the 60's through the 80's (pre-CAD). They were overbuilt and over-engineered because they didn't have computers to design them to the nth degree. I have a 88 BMW with 210,000 miles that's still going strong...