Leak Stereo 130

I’ve always liked the Leak Stereo 20, probably something I should have owned by now but never have despite several coming across my radar over the years. There’s actually one at work I could probably buy if I wanted to.

Instead I have been trying out this new revitalisation of the brand with the Stereo 130 integrated amp. I am vaguely looking for something that I can plug my TV into, and simplify things in my second system. The Stereo 130 has a dac, phono stage, bluetooth and enough retro coolness for it to pique my interest. It’s a totally modern design that capitalises on the Leak name and the current fashion for retro-ness. Its looks are reminiscent of the 60’s era Stereo 30. No tubes to be seen here, which is actually good for my tube useage nervosa. It even has a set of preouts… maybe I can try plugging in my old Tannoy subwoofer that I have floating around for a lark.

There have been a few reviews of it, notably Mike Lavorgna’s one on Darko’s site here.

Steve Guttenberg has done a video review of it on his Audiophiliac You Tube channel as well.

I managed to have a listen to it yesterday through my Falcon LS3/5as and I am actually really impressed with it. It’s a good amp for sure, for not a lot of money. I tried Bluetooth from my phone and it worked well and sounded good. Using the optical input with the TV and playing You Tube was great as well. The phono stage sounds surprisingly good. I had the Grace F9e on the Technics and it seemed to work well. Certainly good enough for casual listening. I listened to a wide range of things, but was able to actually listen to all of My Dying Bride’s Turn Loose the Swans on cd, played from my Oppo BDP-103 via the analogue inputs. It was really really good. A lot of insight, especially with the vocals. Very enjoyable.

Watching TV was great, with much better definition and scale than the typically average speakers in my Panasonic panel. Voices in particular were fantastic, which is unsurprising really given the LS3/5a’s raison d’etre. Watching an episode of one of my favourite shows, Rome, was superb. Crisp and clear and superb depth of field and left to right imaging.

I have plans afoot for the main system which will require an injection of funds, so I may end up selling my Leben and a few other bits and pieces, but this Leak will be a sensible and worthy replacement, albeit no where near as refined or jewel-like as the Japanese amp. We shall see…. all depends on costs.

The specs:
D/A Converter:ESS Sabre32 Reference ES9018K2M
Input Sampling Rates:Optical, Coaxial: 44.1kHz~192kHz; USB: 44.1kHz~384kHz (PCM)/DSD64, DSD128, DSD256
Rated Output Power:2 x 45W (8ohm) / 2x65W (4ohm)
Total Harmonic Distortion:< 0.005% (30W, 8ohm)
Frequency Response:20Hz-20kHz (+/-0.5dB)
Input Sensitivity:480mV (RCA AUX IN); 4.1mV (phono MM)
Input Impedance:10Kohm (AUX) ; 47Kohm //100pF (phono MM)
Signal to Noise Ratio:≥108dB (A-weighted, ref.45W)
Bluetooth:A2DP, aptX (priority), SBC
USB Input:1 x USB (B-type)
Digital Audio Inputs:2 x Optical TOSlink ,1 x RCA COAX
Digital Audio Outputs:1 x Optical TOSlink ,1 x RCA COAX
Analog Inputs:2 x RCA (AUX1, AUX2) ,1 x RCA (phono MM)
Analog Output:1 x RCA (PRE OUT)