As you can see post #1! I've reading these forums for a while and below has spurred me into writing.
At the moment Superfi has the Creek Evo amplifier for £300 and you can buy the Rega Brio3 for £330.
Which represents the better deal?
I will be listening on Dynaudio 42's (or 52's if there's a good deal around) with my computer as the source (don't worry - through an EMU 0404 PCI sound card and with completely lossless codecs).
If I do ever buy a CDP I know the Apollo is hard to go past, but should I let the whole 'one-brand Amp + CDP' thing get to me?
Michael, in answer to your last question, the answer is 'not really' imho. But while synergy in brands is usually a good thing it isn't necessarilly the be-all to end-all. As far as comparison between the two very good amps on your list - the answer lies with your ears and which will drive those (hungry) speakers well for the levels you require.
MR and Art are on the money. Regarding which presentation of amp you'll prefer, only you can tell. I just wanted to mention something. If you went with the Brio which I know well (I haven't used the EVO), I would not buy 52s, irrespective of price. The Brio can drive 42s happily and will make a good job of driving them, but 52s are a different kettle of fish and the minimum you need to drive them properly is a Mira in the Rega range. If you want3ed a more expensive speaker, make sure that the impedance characteristics are an easy load. Things that come to mind are Rega's own speakers (up to the R5), B&W's new 68x series, Focal's latest Chorus 700V range and Naim nSats or Arivas (good deals going around on the latter since it is now discontinued).