LEAK Audio - USA Stereo 130 Integrated Amplifier in Walnut
The Stereo 130 blends retro walnut charm with a distinctly modern, clear and dynamically alive voice. Andrew Robinson found its clean, detailed midrange, agile bass and low-volume engagement unusually accomplished for 45 watts per channel. Add an ESS Sabre DAC, MM phono stage and generous digital connectivity, and this compact integrated feels thoroughly equipped for focused listening.
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Nicely Roasted
Sound Quality
89/100
Build Quality
89/100
Features Connectivity
94/100
Value for Money
85/100
Pros
Exceptional dynamics and convincing drive, including at low listening levels, despite its 45W-per-channel rating.
Clean, low-coloration midrange with strong detail, speed and vocal presence.
Strong build quality and an unusually comprehensive compact-package feature set.
Cons
Slightly lean, forward balance can sound too revealing with bright partnering gear or harsher recordings.
Soundstage depth and beyond-speaker extension are only average rather than class-leading.
Analog input spacing is cramped, while input labels and remote lettering can be difficult to read from a distance.
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What Reviewers Are Saying
SOUND QUALITY PERFORMANCE 89/100
The Stereo 130 is described as a clear, lively and engaging amplifier with particularly impressive control for its modest rated output. Its slightly lean, forward balance and only average stage extension keep it from being an all-round sonic leader, but the review finds it highly capable with well-recorded music.
Transparency Resolution
91/100
Andrew Robinson describes a clean midrange with virtually no coloration and says the amplifier offers notable detail. High-frequency performance is called impressive on well-recorded analogue and digital material, supporting its revealing and open presentation.
Tonal Balance Musicality
87/100
The overall tone is said to be slightly lean and forward of neutral, giving music strong presence rather than added warmth or richness. The clean, low-coloration midrange should appeal to listeners seeking directness and clarity, though those wanting a fuller or more relaxed voicing may prefer a different balance.
Dynamics
95/100
Dynamics are described as exceptional for a 45W-per-channel amplifier, with the Stereo 130 driving every speaker tried without a meaningful hint of strain. It is also praised for remaining dynamically engaging at low volume, an ability the reviewer finds uncommon among similarly priced amplifiers.
Soundstage Imaging
84/100
Center imaging and detail between the speakers are described as good, giving the presentation a convincing central focus. However, extension beyond the speakers is considered average and depth is said to be constrained, so it is not portrayed as a class-leading spatial performer.
Assessments of Build Quality, Usability, and Overall Propositions.
Build Quality
89/100
The review directly characterizes the LEAK's build quality as better, and the amplifier is presented as a thoughtfully finished component inside and out. The available commentary is positive, although it offers little detail about long-term durability or internal construction.
Features Connectivity
94/100
The Stereo 130 combines a moving-magnet phono stage, USB audio, optical and coaxial digital inputs, Bluetooth with aptX, a pre-out, and an ESS Sabre DAC supporting high-resolution PCM and DSD playback. Its analogue inputs can feel cramped, but the overall connection set is unusually comprehensive for a compact traditional-style integrated amplifier.
Value for Money
85/100
At $1,495, the Stereo 130 brings a phono stage, DAC, USB input, Bluetooth and strong reported dynamics into a single compact component. The review calls it a fine integrated amplifier inside and out, but does not directly compare its price with competing amplifiers or make a specific value claim.
Reviews & Sources
Professional reviews and sources for this product's Watt'n Potatoes analysis.
Online Reviews & Mentions
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Specifications
- D/A Converter
- ESS Sabre32 Reference ES9018K2M
- Input Sampling Rates
- Optical, Coaxial: 44.1kHz~192kHz; USB: 44.1kHz~384kHz (PCM)/DSD64, DSD128, DSD256
- FTC Power Output Rating (RMS)
- 2 x 45W (8ohm) / 2x65W (4ohm)
- Total Harmonic Distortion
- < 0.005% (30W, 8ohm)
- Frequency Response
- 20Hz-20kHz (+/-0.5dB)
- Input Sensitivity
- 480mV (RCA AUX IN); 4.1mV (phono MM)
- Input Impedance
- 10Kohm (AUX) ; 47Kohm //100pF (phono MM)
- Signal to Noise Ratio
- ≥108dB (A-weighted, ref.45W)
- Pre Output Level
- 4
- Pre Output Total Harmonic Distortion (THD)
- < 0.003%
- Pre Output Signal to Noise Ratio
- >110dB (A-weighted)
- Bluetooth
- A2DP, aptX (priority), SBC
- USB Input
- 1 x USB (B-type)
- Digital Audio Inputs
- 2 x Optical TOSlink ,1 x RCA COAX
- Digital Audio Outputs
- 1 x Optical TOSlink ,1 x RCA COAX
- Analog Inputs
- 2 x RCA (AUX1, AUX2) ,1 x RCA (phono MM)
- Analog Output
- 1 x RCA (PRE OUT)
- Power Requirement
- 100-120V ~ 50/60Hz
- Dimensions(W x H x D)
- 12.83" x 5.74" x 10.86"
- Weight
- 18.29lbs
- Shipping Dimensions(W x H x D)
- 18.7" x 9.76" x 17.71"
- Shipping Weight
- 23.36lbs
Manufacturer's Description — LEAK Audio - USA
The Return Of a Legend.
The LEAK STEREO 130 is a high performance, high-fidelity integrated amplifier for the modern-day audio enthusiast. It is designed to be the perfect match to a wide variety of both analog and digital sources, thanks to its diversity of inputs. It has a built-in Moving Magnet (MM) phono pre-amplifier which allows for direct connection to turntable record players. You can also stream music to the LEAK STEREO 130 from any Bluetooth device such as portable music players and smartphones via innovative built-in aptX and AAC codec. One can enjoy CD-quality audio over the Bluetooth wireless connection.
To accommodate the modern-day music enthusiast fully, much effort has been made to ensure the LEAK STEREO 130 ’s digital circuitry delivers the level of quality one might expect of a high-performance standalone D/A converter, let alone an integrated amplifier solution.
Carefully designed in line with the LEAK ethos of performance, reliability, and craftsmanship, the LEAK STEREO 130 matches contemporary performance with stand-out, classic LEAK styling.
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Authorized dealers for LEAK Audio - USA Stereo 130 Integrated Amplifier in Walnut
- All Elite Audio — online and in-store — Perry Hall, Maryland, United States (website)
- Analogue Seduction — online and in-store — Whittlesey, England, United Kingdom (website)
- Apollo HiFi — online and in-store — Marrickville, New South Wales, Australia (website)
- Area Hifi — online and in-store — L'Eixample, Comunidad Valenciana, Spain (website)
- Art & Voice — online (website)
- Audio Advice — online and in-store — Raleigh, North Carolina, United States (website)
- Audio Advisor — online and in-store — Michigan, United States (website)
- Audio Evolution — online and in-store — Volla, Campania, Italy (website)
- Audio Solutions — online and in-store — Indianapolis, Indiana, United States (website)
- Audio T — online and in-store — Cheltenham, England, United Kingdom (website)
and 38 more verified dealers