I had a Leak Stereo 70 (the 1968 model) back in the early 80’s, I got given it as it had stopped working and being an electronics engineer at the time I repaired it and it was my amp throughout my late teens / early 20’s. Had it paired with a Teac turntable at the time
Nice review 👍💯 On the sound clips i preferred the leak 230 (although it's on UA-cam and through my stereo and not in a real room demo). Spiced with a sense of humor.
I typically watch UA-cam when I get home at night to settle down....I really enjoy the content and humor of your video's!!! They are the common-persons guide to everything audio, with a nice twist. Big fan of Wharfedale - I have the 4.1's, 4.2's, 4.S (surround sound version of the evo's),Denton 80's and Denton 85's, and just purchased the LEAK CDT with the wood case... I think you'll enjoy it. I use the 85's with the NAD 3050 LE in my office, and love it. Trying to find a place for the Leak 230, and the Lintons that you recently reviewed...... Keep up the great job, I enjoy your videos, don't stop now...keep it goin' baby!!!
Thanks for your thoughts. I don't have any views on the sound clips, I'm not sure they give any real indication of the sound. Certainly not to sway me to buy, or not to buy an amp. To be honest, the look of this amp sold it to me the minute I saw it when it was first released. The design has gone down well with the missus as well, which is a real bonus. I'm going to buy the Stereo 230, the CDT and the Linton Heritage speakers, but I'm going to be moving house at some point this year, so Im going to wait until I'm in my new place. Cheers - Hedley
Thanks for the review. I have the Wharfedale Linton’s as well. Still trying to find the perfect amp pairing. Great to see a review of the 230 with the Linton’s! Cheers!
This stereo amp from Leak had a more superior sound quality than one from Marantz. It produced a fuller sound and a better and deeper bass response. Its substantial weight of 13 kg indicated its inner quality!!
Thanks for the review! I use HDMI ARC almost exclusively and love this feature. The amp sounds great with my Lintons, but I have treble turned down a fraction and it softens the treble wonderfully while still being clear for movie dialogue etc. Next up is an REL Classic 98 subwoofer for the real low end :)
The voice was clearer on the Marantz. The Leak seemed slightly veiled, and I couldn't live with it. The difference was not huge, and I agree the leak had the superior bass heft. My vote goes for the Marantz out of these two.
My first stereo (c1970) consisted of a Leak Stereo 30 plus, a pair of Whafedale Super Linton speakers and a Goldring Lenco GL75pc turntable. I wonder if a GL275 is being readied for production?
Very nice sound. I could imagine why you are so much into this amp. But , love is blind isn't it. Seeing you sleeping next to her just made my day . LOL
Another great video 👍 I’ve never really liked the sound of Marantz amps, I changed from the PM6005 last year as I found it very fatiguing to listen to over long periods. I’m not sure I like the sound of the Leak either to be honest 🤔 Sounds very trebley to me. Might be the old UA-cam compression, I don’t know 🤷♂️
Have you ever tried to place the Linton with tweeter outside? They will sound much more coherent, the bass become thight and punchy, smoother mid and high.
WRONG. The designer states the treble should be on the inside. The timing goes out of kilter and the soundstage depth fails with the tweeters in the wrong position. Same effect as on the Denton 85th. Not that this bothers me i hate both these speakers.
@UTILITARIANTVUK think you will find a big improvement boss . I was gonna get some new speakers only got some small Cambridge audio xl minx on a desk ,but like you I went dirt cheap on amazon cable and very cheap banana plugs that stick to magnet, I'm so shocked with improvement 👍
Well, no, for my ears and taste, and for what come through youtube, Marantz all the way, it sound more transparent, Leak it has a muffled sound, without trebles, I don't like it.
With hindsight, I was a little disappointed with the recording. The leak was a lot stronger in the bass which veiled the mids and the highs on the recording. In real world listening, the leak was quite a bit better. I should have reduced the bass during the recording.
Now your starting to spend money the rabbit hole of hifi can ask how large is your listening room as for bad jokes once I got offered a job at a chess parts factory but they want me to do knights?
I love the look of the Leak. While I agree that there is not much difference in the sound when using the amps respective DAC, the phono stage in the Leak is a lot better than the Marantz. I guess it's relative to the individual, the Marantz offers a lot more in terms of surround sound and streaming.
Exciting times in your stereo journey. Really enjoy your content!
I had a Leak Stereo 70 (the 1968 model) back in the early 80’s, I got given it as it had stopped working and being an electronics engineer at the time I repaired it and it was my amp throughout my late teens / early 20’s. Had it paired with a Teac turntable at the time
Nice review 👍💯
On the sound clips i preferred the leak 230 (although it's on UA-cam and through my stereo and not in a real room demo).
Spiced with a sense of humor.
I typically watch UA-cam when I get home at night to settle down....I really enjoy the content and humor of your video's!!! They are the common-persons guide to everything audio, with a nice twist. Big fan of Wharfedale - I have the 4.1's, 4.2's, 4.S (surround sound version of the evo's),Denton 80's and Denton 85's, and just purchased the LEAK CDT with the wood case... I think you'll enjoy it. I use the 85's with the NAD 3050 LE in my office, and love it. Trying to find a place for the Leak 230, and the Lintons that you recently reviewed...... Keep up the great job, I enjoy your videos, don't stop now...keep it goin' baby!!!
Thanks for your thoughts. I don't have any views on the sound clips, I'm not sure they give any real indication of the sound. Certainly not to sway me to buy, or not to buy an amp.
To be honest, the look of this amp sold it to me the minute I saw it when it was first released. The design has gone down well with the missus as well, which is a real bonus.
I'm going to buy the Stereo 230, the CDT and the Linton Heritage speakers, but I'm going to be moving house at some point this year, so Im going to wait until I'm in my new place.
Cheers - Hedley
Leak 230 with the Lintons is a nice match! I really enjoy mine :)
Thanks for the review. I have the Wharfedale Linton’s as well. Still trying to find the perfect amp pairing. Great to see a review of the 230 with the Linton’s! Cheers!
This stereo amp from Leak had a more superior sound quality than one from Marantz. It produced a fuller sound and a better and deeper bass response. Its substantial weight of 13 kg indicated its inner quality!!
Thanks for the review! I use HDMI ARC almost exclusively and love this feature. The amp sounds great with my Lintons, but I have treble turned down a fraction and it softens the treble wonderfully while still being clear for movie dialogue etc. Next up is an REL Classic 98 subwoofer for the real low end :)
I have two old Stereo 30's they both constantly surprise me.
Thank you for the review. I am very tempted to get one 😊
The voice was clearer on the Marantz.
The Leak seemed slightly veiled, and I couldn't live with it.
The difference was not huge, and I agree the leak had the superior bass heft.
My vote goes for the Marantz out of these two.
Great test thanks. I hope that you could also test the Leak 130.
If I can get hold of one, I would love to make a comparison.
Thanks for sharing! *thumbsup* Keep on it
.../chuckle, glad to see how much you love that hardware, nice kid, I mean kit.
My first stereo (c1970) consisted of a Leak Stereo 30 plus, a pair of Whafedale Super Linton speakers and a Goldring Lenco GL75pc turntable. I wonder if a GL275 is being readied for production?
Looks great mate I have the 130 which is very attractive
Lovely set up Marty bargain open box deals
Very nice sound. I could imagine why you are so much into this amp. But , love is blind isn't it. Seeing you sleeping next to her just made my day . LOL
Can you listen to youtube or lets say a movie on netflix through the usb port to a computer ??
Yes you can.
Another great video 👍
I’ve never really liked the sound of Marantz amps, I changed from the PM6005 last year as I found it very fatiguing to listen to over long periods. I’m not sure I like the sound of the Leak either to be honest 🤔
Sounds very trebley to me. Might be the old UA-cam compression, I don’t know 🤷♂️
How does the phone stage in your Leak compare to the Schiit Mani 2 that you were using?
I prefer the Leak.
Thanks for the good review. Alastair Leak :P
Have you ever tried to place the Linton with tweeter outside?
They will sound much more coherent, the bass become thight and punchy, smoother mid and high.
WRONG. The designer states the treble should be on the inside. The timing goes out of kilter and the soundstage depth fails with the tweeters in the wrong position. Same effect as on the Denton 85th. Not that this bothers me i hate both these speakers.
hello, I've been following you for a long time and I bought linton. What is the best amplifier for linton you have had? Thank you
I would have to say this one but the Marantz 70s was very close.
I definitely liked the Leak more. Way better bass controll, dynamics and clarity.
Can i connect a blusound nodi to stream? If so what dac will be used the leak or the blue?
Yes, if you connect it to the amp via RCA, you will be using the DAC in the Blusound. If you use Coaxial, you will be using the DAC in the amp.
I was pissing myself at the end when your pushing it on a scooter ffs 😂
😄👍
Prefered the Leak, equal your findings. 👌
Wish I could afford one I've got the wharfedale Denton would look good with them!!!!!
that’s a new turntable ? looks nicer than the AT !
Not in design, but it reminds me my Point One Stereo pre and power I had around '83 - '85 👍
very nice almost brought one of these but got a ta1 emotiva 👍as ZZ top once sang I woke up with wood 🤣you need new cable wake them speakers up boss
I'm eyeing up a really nice pair, I'm also going to buy some new speaker cables! 🥁🥁 📀
@UTILITARIANTVUK think you will find a big improvement boss . I was gonna get some new speakers only got some small Cambridge audio xl minx on a desk ,but like you I went dirt cheap on amazon cable and very cheap banana plugs that stick to magnet, I'm so shocked with improvement 👍
I hear this amp sounds warm and non fatiguing...that is a good thing.
Nice find!
Great stuff..Jealous of your new baby,,,lets hope it always behaves and doesn't shite itself 🤣🤣🤣
nice 😀
Leak is more natural and free flowing
Well, no, for my ears and taste, and for what come through youtube, Marantz all the way, it sound more transparent, Leak it has a muffled sound, without trebles, I don't like it.
With hindsight, I was a little disappointed with the recording. The leak was a lot stronger in the bass which veiled the mids and the highs on the recording. In real world listening, the leak was quite a bit better. I should have reduced the bass during the recording.
@@andywrollo2915 Yes noob, Marantz.
in reality those leeks had a lot of trebles with clear engaging sound
@@Orpheuss62 toss pot
@@andywrollo2915 I threw it away, that's why I stayed with Marantz
Now your starting to spend money the rabbit hole of hifi can ask how large is your listening room as for bad jokes once I got offered a job at a chess parts factory but they want me to do knights?
🤣 Room's around 6x4 metres.
More of a midi set up than a proper hi fi set up.
Better keep the Marantz....
I'd take the Leak over the Marantz without hesitation.
Waste of money just on a vintage look, marantz sounds great, no difference
I love the look of the Leak. While I agree that there is not much difference in the sound when using the amps respective DAC, the phono stage in the Leak is a lot better than the Marantz. I guess it's relative to the individual, the Marantz offers a lot more in terms of surround sound and streaming.
The Leak could do without the DAC, digital and old school don't go togrther