LEBEN CS-300X(S)

Integrated Stereo Amplifier 2x15W (TUBE_EL84(SOVTEK) x 4 / 12AX7A(SOVTEK) x 2)

The retro trend is everywhere these days, influencing every consumer product, so there's no reason to think that hi-fi should escape this trend, and the integrated valve amplifier from the Japanese brand Leben is no exception.

The CS300XS exudes retro from every angle, with its attractive gold anodized front and rear panels, large knobs, and beautiful Canadian ash side panels. Even the power switch and the selector for headphones and tape monitor have a decidedly retro look and feel.

The CS300XS is built with extraordinary quality and has a ruggedness that suggests it is designed to last. Three large selectors on the front panel allow you to choose the input, adjust the channel balance, and, on the far right, activate a bass boost of +3dB or +5dB. The amplifier features a large rotary volume knob and toggle switches to turn the amplifier on and off, select headphones or speakers, and the tape monitor. The tape monitor is rare to find these days, but with the revival of reel-to-reel tapes, it would be a useful function for enthusiasts of this format.

On the rear panel, there are five RCA line-level inputs, a ground terminal, four WBT speaker terminals, and a rotary selector to choose the speaker impedance between 4Ω, 6Ω, and 8Ω.

Internally, all wiring is point-to-point, with no use of PCBs. The valves are placed in gold-plated holders, and in addition to the large main transformer, there are two custom-developed Leben output transformers for extended high-frequency response. The CS300XS uses two EL84 power tubes in a push-pull configuration with one ECC83 tube per channel. The amplifier features a self-bias circuit that accepts new tubes without the need for recalibration and automatically adjusts to variations in the tubes themselves.

Listening to the CS300XS reveals a rich, detailed, and dynamic sound. The audio quality is surprising, especially considering the amplifier is only 15W, meaning careful speaker selection based on their sensitivity and room size is necessary. Speakers like the Klipsch RP8000F II or Audio Note AN-J LX Hemp are ideal to make the most of the amplifier, with a sensitivity of around 90dB or higher.

The CS300XS stands out for its ability to reproduce music in an engaging way, with a balance of warmth, detail, and dynamics.

The Leben CS300XS offers an exceptional listening experience at a price that represents great value compared to higher-priced solid-state amplifiers. Combined with speakers like the Klipsch RP8000F II, it forms the foundation for a high-quality audio system.

Technical Specifications:

• Valves: 4 x EL84 (Sovtek), 2 x 12AX7A (Sovtek)
• Output power: 15W per channel
• Frequency response: 15Hz - 100KHz (-2 dB)
• Distortion: 0.7% (at 10W)
• Input sensitivity: 600mV
• Input impedance: 100K Ohms
• Output impedance: 4Ω, 6Ω, 8Ω (Selectable)
• Power consumption: 82W
• Weight: 10.5 kg
• Dimensions: 360 (W) x 270 (D) x 140 (H) mm
• Included: AC power cable x 1