LEAK Stereo 130 and CDT Now Released
LEAK releases its first products for more than 40 years, albeit under new ownership.
We brought you news of the LEAK Stereo 130 (from £699) integrated amplifier and LEAK CDT (from £449) CD transport back in May - but now they've been officially released and ready to buy in just a couple of weeks. Furthermore, we have the full UK pricing for both components.
LEAK Stereo 130 integrated amplifier
Descended from the 60s vintage Stereo 30 integrated amplifier, the first commercially available all-transistor amp, Stereo 130 packs a thoroughly modern armoury.
The new LEAK amp boasts a high-quality, low-noise, JFET-based MM phono stage as well as analogue line-level inputs and optical, coaxial and asynchronous USB digital connections. The onboard ES9018K2M Sabre32 Reference DAC will merrily decode Hi-res PCM (up to 32-bit/384kHz) and DSD (up to 11.2MHz/DSD256) as well as receiving your playlists over aptX Bluetooth.
Pushing things along is a Class AB power amp receiving its juice via a 200VA toroidal transformer followed by 2x15000uF reservoir capacity. All that adds up to 2x 45W RMS at 8Ω, or 2x 65W RMS at 4Ω.
Headphone users get a dedicated amp stage with current-feedback circuitry, whose gain bandwidth and high slew rate promise a dynamic, detailed and engaging performance.
A nod to the classic Stereo 30 not only comes by way of the optional walnut enclosure (another £100) but in the amp's Bass and treble tone controls. However, these controls can be bypassed to deliver the shortest possible signal path to the precision analogue volume stage, which is controlled by a motorised ALPS potentiometer.
LEAK CDT CD transport
The LEAK CDT is a dedicated CD transport incorporating a slot-loading mechanism as used by LEAK's stablemate, Audiolab, in its 6000CDT.
The transport is mounted in an electromagnetically shielded enclosure and fed by a dedicated power supply. The master clock is controlled by a temperature-compensated crystal oscillator, enabling the digital output from both coaxial and optical sockets to exhibit low levels of jitter (digital distortion), says the company. Additionally, the coaxial output is fed from a differential line driver, we're told that this ensures that a flawless digital signal reaches the accompanying DAC.
As well as spinning CDs, the LEAK CDT features a front-mounted USB input, enabling playback from USB storage devices. FAT16 and FAT32 formatted devices are supported, and WAV, AAC, WMA and MP3 files can be played, with file navigation via either the front panel controls or remote handset.
The LEAK Stereo 130 is available with or without a real-wood walnut enclosure, at an RRP of £699. The LEAK CDT is priced at £449. Both are available from August and can be had in the lovely walnut enclosure for another £100 each.
For more information, visit LEAK.
Jay Garrett
StereoNET UK’s Editor, bass player, and resident rock star! Jay’s passion for gadgets and Hi-Fi is second only to being a touring musician.
Posted in:Hi-Fi
Tags: leak iag uk
JOIN IN THE DISCUSSION
Want to share your opinion or get advice from other enthusiasts? Then head into the Message Forums where thousands of other enthusiasts are communicating on a daily basis.
CLICK HERE FOR FREE MEMBERSHIP