95%
Zesto Audio Leto Ultra II Preamplifier
Design Philosophy
The preamp is the unsung hero of your system. Like a great actor who never seems to be “acting” it does all the work without getting noticed. As an engineer, my goal is to deliver the most pristine signal from your audio sources to your power amps
without coloration.
My own setup features lots of audio sources, so I wanted lots of inputs and a variety of gain settings. I also wanted it simple to use, so every adjustment is remote or manually controlled.
A unique feature I added is the Presence Control, which was born out of my frustration after finding some of my favorite recordings became unlistenable the more resolved my system became, regardless of the source. This new feature deals with the harmonic balance of the mid and high frequencies. Now I can easily adjust the balance for every song.
I have been enjoying this in my own listening and am certain you will too.
Focus on the Music
With the Leto in your system it will allow the sonic detail to come through, so you focus is on the music and the hardware will seem to disappear.
What is Leto?
In Greek mythology, Leto is the mother of Apollo.
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Zesto Audio Leto Ultra II Preamplifier
The Zesto Audio Leto Ultra II is an all-tube preamplifier that pairs tube color with near-reference transparency, delivering an uncanny quiet background and incisive imaging that lets instruments float in space. Praised by Robert H. Levi, it balances musical nuance with exceptional dynamics and textural detail.
Sonically the Leto serves deep, layered bass, a rich midrange and treble that can be subtly shaped with the presence control to remove glare without robbing air. Performance highlights include precise staging, remote‑saved gain presets, silent relay switching and comprehensive I/O with transformer-balanced inputs. Hand-built in the USA with premium parts and thoughtful ergonomics, the Leto Ultra II is aimed at critical listeners and reference systems that demand a revealing, flexible tube preamp that justifies its premium.
Pros
- Exceptionally low noise floor and outstanding transparency, producing a very quiet background that enhances perceived detail and imaging.
- State-of-the-art imaging and soundstaging — instruments have clear placement and depth with an open, empty space between sources.
- Flexible tonal control via the remote-enabled presence control and per-input, saved gain presets allow on-the-fly tailoring without compromising neutrality.
- Robust build and connectivity: hand-made in the USA with quality components, gold-plated recessed RCA/XLRs, transformer-balanced inputs/outputs and practical ergonomic features.
Transparency
96/100
Reviewer repeatedly emphasizes an exceptionally low noise floor and an almost 'invisible' signal chain: 'the quietest, most noise-free tube preamp I have ever heard,' 'Backgrounds are now jet black.' These direct quotes justify a near-reference transparency score; no hum/hiss issues were reported and the presence control is described as disengageable (0 position), preserving neutrality when desired.
Sound Quality
94/100
Dynamics
94/100
Reviewer attributes exceptional dynamic life and definition to the Leto: 'It was the musical energy and definition I would have said only master tapes played in the room could provide.' This indicates very strong preservation of micro- and macro-dynamics with excellent transient and rhythmic drive.
Soundstage Imaging
95/100
Imaging and staging receive superlative praise: 'fantastic imaging and wonderful sound staging... the production of depth without distortion is shocking.' Review cites 'images pop in their space' and a clean, noise-free space between instruments, supporting a top-grade spatial performance rating.
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Build Quality
95/100
Reviewer calls it 'the quietest tube preamplifier on the market I know of today.' Spec sheet corroborates high build standards: hand-made in USA, 16-gauge zinc-plated steel enclosure, gold-plated recessed RCA/XLR with isolated grounds, high-quality tube sockets and component choices; these factors justify a near-reference build score.
Features Connectivity
87/100
Well-equipped: 6 inputs (3 transformer-balanced, 3 single-ended), 4 line outputs (2 balanced, 2 single-ended), remote control for input/volume/mute/mono/presence/gain, gain presets saved per input, presence control, and dual ground-lift switches. No phono, DAC, headphone, or explicit HT-bypass; applying the active-preamp baseline plus XLR I/O, remote, and multiple outputs yields a solid 87.
Value for Money
90/100
At the stated price (~$11,900) the reviewer notes 'Though its price is not inconsiderable, I wonder why anyone would pay more,' implying the Leto Ultra II justifies its premium and competes strongly in its class. That language supports a 'justified premium' value tier (88-91).
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