Leema Acoustics Neutron preamp/DAC

What Hi-Fi finds plenty of detail, rendered subtly rather than pushed forward through hardness or sharpness. The review also calls the presentation transparent enough to expose flaws in recordings and upstream sources, and notes strong detail resolution through the phono input.

The presentation is praised for its neutral, balanced and notably even tonal character, without spotlighting a particular frequency range. Its principal reservation is that it appeals more to the head than the heart, making it less suited to listeners seeking a richly indulgent or romantic presentation.

The review praises the system's scale, authority and control, with big, brawny bass capable of real rumble and impact. However, it says the combination does not communicate musical momentum quite as effectively as leading integrated rivals.

Stereo imaging is identified as a particular strength. The review reports a large, expansive soundstage with crisp image focus, supporting an orderly and spacious presentation.

What Hi-Fi reports no build-quality concerns, describing the Neutron and partnering Graviton as solid and well made. The reviewer notes that the products retain the character of a smaller specialist manufacturer, rather than presenting the finish of a large multinational brand.

The Neutron is unusually comprehensive for a stereo preamp, combining a switchable MM/MC phono stage, ESS Sabre DAC, DSD256 support and a headphone output. Connections include four RCA line inputs, one balanced XLR input, three optical inputs, three coaxial inputs, asynchronous USB and trigger output.

At roughly £1,500–£2,250, the Neutron sits in a competitive premium stereo segment, but the review explicitly applauds Leema for offering a pre/power proposition at a price where many rivals offer only integrated amplifiers. Its extensive digital, analogue and phono facilities further strengthen its appeal against similarly priced separates.