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Recommended Component 2024 – Stereophile
Classic Amp Styling Meets Hi-Res Analog and Digital Performance
Established in 1934 and now firmly re-established as a hi-fi mainstay, England's LEAK expands its product portfolio with the new LEAK STEREO 230. Despite its iconic retro appearance, this is a high-performance, high fidelity integrated amplifier designed for the modern-day audio and movie enthusiast.
Building upon the class and style that made LEAK's recent STEREO E a rip-roaring success, the LEAK STEREO 230 adds more power to the STEREO 130 design. It also adds more functionality and substance for the discerning audiophile.
"Recommended Component" Honors
Stereophile honored the Stereo 230 by awarding it the magazine's coveted Recommend Component status for 2024.
According to Stereophile, "Listening to digital, RS wrote, the Leak's overriding character 'was one of musical buoyancy disposed of light and color, with an effortless liftoff of notes,' coupled with a sense of soundstage integrity. He found that these qualities extended to the amplifier's JFET-based MM/high-output MC phono stage, though he did concede that the 230's highs might not have been as airy or extended as those from some of the more expensive gear he's heard. Overall, 'the 230 is an example of how far the sound quality and versatility of affordable audiophile gear has come in the last few years. ... I didn't hear a $1500 product; I heard a well-designed product regardless of price.'"
"Performance, Reliability, and Craftsmanship"
Designed to be the perfect match for a wide variety of sources and provide higher levels of amplification, the LEAK STEREO 230 offers a 115 watt-per-channel power output. It also offers a newly developed HDMI ARC connectivity function to realize the highest quality audio in AV applications, for a fully equipped integrated amplifier that will appeal to audiophiles and home theater lovers alike.
Carefully designed in line with the LEAK ethos of performance, reliability, and craftsmanship, the LEAK STEREO 230 matches contemporary performance with stand-out, classic LEAK styling.
"An Amplifier That Puts the Music First"
According to HiFi+ magazine, "For all its versatility, this is an amplifier that puts the music first. Whatever the source, its virtuosic performance is consistently engaging; foot-tappingly lively yet maturely refined, richly detailed, and fluidly dynamic."
"The retro-inspired looks with new up-to-date technology, at a keen price point, will make the LEAK Stereo 230 popular with audiophiles of all levels," reports hifipig.com, December 16, 2022.
"Truly Mesmerizing"
"Steve Winwood, Tears For Fears, Frank Sinatra, Van Morrison, AC/DC – you can continue the list yourself, because almost all of us have favorites from those times, from that music. Here it remains only to smile and nod your head to the beat, because the atmosphere achieved with the help of the combined efforts of designers and engineers turned out to be truly mesmerizing," raves subwoofermania.com, April 4, 2023.
"The Stereo 230 was delicate here. The prim British character helped it to work correctly with nuances and bass, the construction of the scene did not raise any questions, and only positive impressions remained from this part of the listening, without any “buts”. And if you take into account not only the sound, but also the appearance, then you understand that it is from such components and systems that ordinary listening develops into something more – into a culture of sound."
Ready for Your Analog and Digital Gear
The LEAK STEREO 230 can be connected to a host of analog and digital sources, thanks to its diversity of inputs. To fully accommodate the modern-day music enthusiast, much effort has been made to ensure the LEAK STEREO 230 ’s digital circuitry delivers the level of quality one might expect of a high-performance standalone D/A converter, let alone an integrated amplifier.
You can also stream music to the LEAK STEREO 230 from any Bluetooth device, such as portable music players, tablet PCs or smartphones, via the built-in aptX and AAC Bluetooth codec. This lets you enjoy CD quality audio over the Bluetooth wireless connection.
The built-in certified hardware MQA Full Decoder lets you enjoy hi-res Master Quality Authenticated digital music files via PC USB, coax, and optical digital connections.
Movie and Music Enthusiasm at Its Heart
The LEAK STEREO 230’s all-round performance is engaging, detailed and refined. Detail, timing and dynamics excel, regardless of source or medium. Designed for the modern-day movie and music enthusiast with a nod to the company's heritage, the LEAK STEREO 230 does not discriminate when it comes to expression and enjoyment of your music and movie reproduction.
Equipped with an Audio Return Channel (ARC) connection, the LEAK STEREO 230 integrates perfectly with home AV applications, bringing the LEAK hi-fi pedigree to your screen, too.
Conversion Without Compromise
Utilizing the acclaimed ES9018 Sabre32 Reference chip with ESS Technology’s 32-bit HyperStream architecture and Time Domain Jitter Eliminator, the LEAK STEREO 230 offers ultra-low noise, high dynamic range of digital audio files with a sampling rate of up to 384kHz (PCM) and DSD256.
Turntable Ready
A built-in phono pre-amplifier allows for direct connection to a turntable. Vinyl enthusiasts will appreciate the assured quality of this high-quality, low-noise turntable input. Optimized for Moving Magnet (MM) cartridges, the JFET-based circuit offers precise RIAA equalization in accordance with leading industry standards for vinyl record playback.
Headphone Users, Rejoice!
If you're a headphone user, you will love the sound quality of the onboard headphone stage. The LEAK STEREO 230 uses a dedicated amplifier circuit with current-feedback technology for the headphone output. Equal in performance to standalone headphone amplifiers, beyond the price-class of this complete system, the design offers high-speed output signal transition thanks to a high slew rate. The result is a dynamic, detailed, and engaging performance with all manner of headphone types.
Direct Switch and Tone Control
The LEAK STEREO 230 incorporates LEAK ’s signature DIRECT switch to bypass steps in the analog circuitry, for the purest signal path. In addition, the signature BASS and TREBLE tone controls allow for customization of the amplifier output signal to suit your music medium and your electronics or loudspeakers.
A Long Tradition of Audio Excellence
Harold Joseph Leak founded the H. J. LEAK & CO Ltd in 1934. Originally based in London, England. LEAK was a brand that specialized in designing and manufacturing high-quality audio components. Pushed into obscurity and becoming a ‘cherished’ brand of yesteryear, LEAK became another example of a strong British audio brand that would be fondly remembered but no longer an option on the home audio market.
After many years in a state of dormancy, LEAK was rescued by the IAG Group – one of the world premiere manufacturers of audio products and the owners of a plethora of classic British brands. Maintaining the art-deco inspired, classic-styled high-quality home audio format for the modern-day hi-fi enthusiast, LEAK is reborn.
With close attention to detail in styling, performance and value, LEAK finally returns. Offering diverse media compatibility, for the modern-day audio enthusiast, without compromising on the style and values of audio performance, the return of LEAK is the return of a legend.
