Интегральные усилители — Leak Stereo 130

The Stereo 130 is a compact integrated amplifier from LEAK with a vintage-inspired walnut chassis and a modern set of digital inputs. It combines a transistor power amplifier with an ESS Sabre DAC, an MM phono section and wireless streaming, so one box covers turntable, computer, TV and phone sources. Its American list price is USD 1,495.

Key specs that matter

Rated output is 45 W per channel into 8 ohm and 65 W per channel into 4 ohm. THD is below 0.005% at 30 W into 8 ohm, frequency response is 20 Hz to 20 kHz within 0.5 dB, and LEAK quotes signal-to-noise of 108 dB or better A-weighted with reference to 45 W. The chassis measures 326 x 146 x 267 mm and weighs 8.27 kg.

Engineering and use context

Digital decoding relies on the ES9018K2M Sabre32 Reference DAC. The S/PDIF inputs, both optical and coaxial, take signals up to 192 kHz, while the USB-B input handles PCM from 44.1 kHz to 384 kHz as well as DSD64, DSD128 and DSD256. The input panel carries a pair of Toslink sockets and a single coaxial RCA socket, while wireless playback runs over Bluetooth with aptX, AAC and SBC support. On the analogue side there are AUX1 and AUX2 line sockets and a separate phono socket for MM pickups. The phono preamplifier uses a JFET-based circuit for RIAA equalisation. A dedicated current-feedback amplifier circuit drives the headphone socket, so it does not simply borrow its signal from the loudspeaker outputs. Outputs include an RCA pre-out, which can drive a powered sub or an outboard power stage, together with optical and coaxial digital outputs for a recorder or another converter. The US version runs on 100 to 120 V mains at 50 or 60 Hz. The USB input lets a computer act as a source without a separate converter, and DSD256 support covers high-rate downloads that many compact amplifiers do not accept. The digital outputs also allow the Stereo 130 to pass a disc transport or TV signal on to other equipment in the same rack. Taken together, the DAC, phono stage and headphone circuit remove the need for three separate boxes in a small system.

Pairing

The power rating suits loudspeakers of moderate sensitivity in a room of around 20 m2, and the higher rating into the lower load shows the output stage copes with lower-impedance loads. LEAK Sandwich series speakers match its styling, and the Sandwich 100 is specified for an amplifier range of 25 to 100 W that includes this model. MM turntables plug straight in, whereas MC pickups require a step-up transformer or a separate phono preamplifier.

Alternatives

The LEAK Stereo 230 offers more power as a sibling integrated model, launched at the end of 2022 with 75 W per channel.