Leben CS-300XS Integrated Amp

The Leben CS-300 XS is an integrated amplifier which would be a natural choice for those looking for an amplifier which performs beautifully and seamlessly offering superb sound at a realistic price. It has a great retro classic style which will fit seamlessly into the home environment forming and integral part of an audio system, and for many audio enthusiasts it is a must have! Leben has been widely reviewed and it survives some of the harshest critics to come out glowing, that is not just because it is a valve amplifier, just take a look at these reviews: Leben CS300XS Winner of the DIAPASON GOLD MEDAL 2010, the Six Moons review or the Tone Imports review (note the CS-300X was the previous version, this version is an update!).

The Leben CS-300XS with Sovtek EL84 valves. A whole range of other parts have been improved to make this a real collectors and audiophiles dream! With the same driver circuit utilising two matched GE 5751 valves (a premium version of the 12AX7A) which are stable and very reliable plus featuring five line inputs with tape monitor, headphone output, speaker / headphone selector, variable output impedance (4 / 6 / 8 ohms) make the CS-300XS a fully featured integrated amplifier of the highest standard with a truly classic appearance.

The high input sensitivity of EL84 does not require a complicated circuit and accordingly it can create a low distortion output signal. For the driver circuit they used a Five-Star-Tube from General Electric: the 5751 (premium version of 12AX7A) which has passed the "JAN" (Joint Army & Navy) standard of U.S. Army and has very stable and reliable qualities.

Leben CS-300XS integrated amplifier.

High-End Upgrades over CS-300 Version:

• Valves: Sovtek EL84
• Resistors: Precision Industrial Grade +/-1%
• First-stage bypass capacitors: Sanyo OS-Con
• Final-stage bypass capacitors: Silk-shielded SILMIC from ELNA
• Coupling capacitors: Metallised polypropylene with mesh-shielding
• NF Overshoot prevention condensor: Copper-leaf Styrol capacitor
• Cathode resistors: 4W
• Expanded high frequency output transformers
• Power transformer: Newly developed especially for this limited edition version
• Switch and warm up indicator light
• 24K gold-plated knobs
• Tube Shield-Base: 24K gold plated
• WBT speaker terminals

Leben CS-300XS internal view - bottom.

Features:

• Tape monitor
• Headphone output
• Bass-Boost switch (0dB, +3dB, +5dB)
• Speaker / headphone selector
• Gold plated control knobs
• Auto-Bias
• Variable Output Impedance: 4 / 6 / 8 Ohms

Leben CS-300XS rear panel.

Specifications:

• Power Valves: Matched quad set of Sovtek EL84
• Driver Valves: Matched pair of General Electric 5751
• Output Power: 2x 15W RMS
• Inputs: 5 line inputs via RCA plus tape monitor
• Frequency Response: 15Hz - 100kHz (-2db)
• Distortion: 0.7% (10W)
• Input Sensitivity: 600mV
• Output Impedance: 4 / 6 / 8 Ohms (Selectable)
• Power Supply: 240V / 50Hz / 65W
• Weight: 10 kg (approx.)
• Dimensions: 36cm x 27cm x 14cm / 14" x 9" x 5.5" (W x D x H - approx. including knobs and terminals)

Leben CS-300XS internal view - top.

No matter how you look at it the Leben integrated amplifiers are certainly going to tick all the boxes, subliminal style, retro feel, great home audio amplifier, ideal for headphone listening and can be specified by architects, interior designers as well as high end audio system designers with confidence. They fit beautifully with the Audel Art Speakers, so please feel free to call us with any questions. If you feel you need more power then look at the Leben CS600 integrated amplifier