Leben CS-300F - Any users?

[robin-hobart]

Just stumbled upon this variation.

Unusual tube compliment.

http://www.soundlabsgroup.com.au/p/Leben-CS300F/Leben+CS-300F+Integrated+Amp

Anyone?

[Demondes]

Looks great as a headphone amp. Would be nice to give it a test run

[robin-hobart]

I believe some punters use the little Leben purely as a head amp, but I'm curious about it as a main hifi amp.

The JAN tubes seem more interesting than the usual Sovteks.  15W is plenty for a lot of users, plus It's $500 cheaper than the 300xs.

Has nobody heard the 'F' model?  

[SONDEKNZ]

Headphone enthusiasts, beware the LEBEN CS300F Headphone Output Impedance specification…

 

A massive 300-Ohms!

 

So good for your high impedance SENNHEISERs, but a complete mismatch for low-medium load cans. 
 

Otherwise, the LEBEN is a stunning little amp!

Edited May 14, 2023 by SONDEKNZ

[georgehifi]

 

Be careful of any amp that has this sort of frequency peak and ocillation just above 20khz, could become a tweeter punisher without you hearing it.

 

As JA said in Stereophile measurements: "The only thing that bothered me was the output transformer's ultrasonic resonances, which become more fully developed into higher impedances."

Cheers George

[SONDEKNZ]

 

I can report many years of daily use with our LEBEN CS300F driving our 8-Ohm/95dB German loudspeakers, which are extremely extended in the tops. (Specified at 34kHz!)

We've never had a single problem with the LEBEN - other than a faulty selector switch going noisy within the first 6-months of ownership; replaced under warranty by our local LEBEN dealer.

 

Further, we have been on the same set of pre and power tubes from when we purchased the amp from new!

With this in mind, tomorrow, I am going to re-tube, just to see if I can hear a difference! 
 

Edited May 14, 2023 by SONDEKNZ