LEAK Stereo 230 – Updated Vintage Style Tech

All Image Credit: LEAK

Back in 2020 LEAK, the renowned British HiFi brand, returned with its first products since the 1970’s, the LEAK Stereo 130 integrated amplifier and LEAK CDT CD transport. Originally founded by Harold Joseph Leak in 1934 the company had its heyday between the late 50’s and early 70’s, and has been resurrected by the International Audio Group – IAG (owner of six other famous UK audiophile brands).

This, their latest Integrated Amplifier, the LEAK Stereo 230 is designed as a step up from the LEAK Stereo 130. While continuing to maintain the same vintage aesthetics, it now features upgraded circuitry, an enhanced DAC stage for digital sources and delivers more power.

Similar to the 130 the 230’s DAC circuitry supports digital sources to include; PCs, Macs, smartphones and tablets, network streamers and CD players including LEAK’s own CDT transport. It also offers the Bluetooth 5 standard for superior speed and range, and multiple codecs including aptX and AAC Bluetooth.

The Stereo 230 upgrades the original ES9018K2M DAC chip used in the Stereo 130 to the ESS 32-bit SABRE ES9038Q2M stereo DAC. This is supported by proprietary circuitry that makes the most of ESS Technology’s HyperStream II architecture and Time Domain Jitter Eliminator. It supports Hi-res digital audio to include; PCM up to 32-bit/768kHz, DSD to 22.58MHz (DSD512) and full ‘three unfold’ MQA decoding. Plus the 230 is ‘Roon Tested’.

Digital input connectivity includes; asynchronous USB Type B and two S/PDIF inputs (one coaxial and one optical), plus HDMI ARC. This new addition of ARC to the original Stereo 130’s specification allows the Stereo 230 to integrate perfectly with home AV applications and TVs.

Analog connectivity is supported by two line-level stereo RCA inputs and an MM phono input that feeds a high-quality, low-noise, JFET-based phono circuit. Other analog circuitry includes; the original 130 bass and treble controls which can be bypassed if required and the analogue volume stage, which is controlled by a motorized ALPS potentiometer and the included IR remote.

The upgraded Class AB power amplifier uses STMicroelectronics MOSFET TDA7293 devices arranged in a dual-parallel configuration, delivering 75W per channel into eight ohms, and 115W per channel into four ohms. For those listening late night, a dedicated headphone amp with a current-feedback design and high slew rate is available.

Powering the new 230 is a substantial low noise 270VA toroidal transformer with 2×15,000uF reservoir capacity and independent low noise power supplies for all critical stages.

Basic Technical Specifications:

• Digital audio Inputs 1x USB-B; 1x HDMI ARC; 1x optical; 1x coaxial; Bluetooth 5
• Analogue audio Inputs 2x RCA line-level; 1x MM phono
• Digital audio outputs 1x optical; 1x coaxial
• Analogue audio outputs 1x RCA pre-out; 1x headphone out; speaker binding posts
• Other inputs/outputs 1x USB-A firmware update port; 12V trigger in/out
• Hi-res support – USB input up to PCM 768kHz; DSD512; full MQA decoding
• Hi-res support – S/PDIF inputs up to PCM 192kHz; full MQA decoding
• Power output 2x 75W RMS (8Ω); 2x 115W RMS (4Ω)
•  Pre-amp:
  • Total Harmonic Distortion (THD): <0.001% (1KHz @ 0dBFS)
  • Frequency Response: 20Hz-20kHz (+/-0.1dB)
• Power amp:
  • Total Harmonic Distortion (THD): <0.003% (1kHz @ 30W/8 ohm)
  • Frequency Response: 20Hz-20kHz (+/-0.3dB)
• DAC: Total Harmonic Distortion (THD): <0.002% (1KHz @ 0dBFS)
• Headphone: Total Harmonic Distortion (THD): <0.01% (1KHz, 50mW)
• Dimensions with wood enclosure (WxHxD) 328x147x414mm
• Dimensions without wood enclosure (WxHxD) 300x115x414mm

Availability: January 2023

MSRP: 

• US: $1,499.00, with walnut wood enclosure $1,699.00
• UK: £1,099.00, with walnut wood enclosure £1,249.00
• EU: €1,249.00, with walnut wood enclosure €1,499.00

For more technical information visit the LEAK web site.

The Leak brand re-appears with the Stereo 130 amplifier and CDT CD player.