Zesto Audio Leto Ultra II Preamplifier
The Leto Ultra II pairs jet-black backgrounds with a remarkably neutral, texturally vivid tube presentation. Its deep, layered bass and expansive image focus let recordings breathe, while six-position Presence control, selectable gain, and balanced connectivity bring exceptional flexibility to complex systems. This is a refined all-analog preamp built to reveal musical color, space, and dynamic energy without adding haze.
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Deliciously Crispy
Sound Quality
96/100
Build Quality
88/100
Features Connectivity
88/100
Value for Money
91/100
Pros
Exceptionally low-noise, transparent presentation with black backgrounds and vivid separation between instruments.
State-of-the-art imaging and soundstage depth, with stable, clearly defined spatial placement.
Presence control and selectable gain offer meaningful adjustment for bright recordings and mismatched source output levels.
Deep, layered, lively bass complements a neutral yet musically nuanced tonal balance.
Cons
Premium $11,900 pricing makes it a substantial investment.
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What Reviewers Are Saying
SOUND QUALITY PERFORMANCE 96/100
The supplied review characterizes the Leto Ultra II as an exceptionally quiet, neutral and musically communicative tube preamplifier. It combines jet-black backgrounds, unusually vivid spatial separation, strong musical energy and a highly adjustable treble balance through its Presence control.
Transparency Resolution
97/100
Robert H. Levi calls it the quietest and most noise-free tube preamplifier he has heard, with jet-black backgrounds and no apparent grain between instruments. He also found it revealing enough to distinguish digital bit rates and recording quality, while describing it as a clear lens on the source.
Tonal Balance Musicality
96/100
The review praises a presentation that is both convincingly musical and totally neutral, with extra textural nuance and more clearly emerging instrumental colors. Tube selection can shift the character toward added warmth and a softer top end, while the Presence control offers unusually flexible adjustment for bright or aggressive recordings.
Dynamics
93/100
Levi hears musical energy and definition approaching the immediacy he associates with master tapes played in the room. Bass is described as deep, layered and alive, supporting the impression of lively, well-preserved dynamic expression.
Soundstage Imaging
96/100
The review describes the imaging and soundstage as state of the art, with especially striking depth and cleanly formed image placement. Images reportedly pop into their own space, with unusually silent gaps between instruments reinforcing the sense of separation and dimensionality.
Assessments of Build Quality, Usability, and Overall Propositions.
Build Quality
88/100
Zesto specifies a hand-built US-made unit with a 16-gauge zinc-plated steel enclosure, relay-based switching, isolated gold-plated connectors and a 50-hour factory burn-in procedure. The supplied review concentrates on its exceptionally low noise rather than long-term durability or fit-and-finish, but the published construction details indicate thoughtful execution.
Features Connectivity
88/100
The Leto Ultra II provides six inputs, including three transformer-balanced XLR inputs and three single-ended inputs, alongside RCA and XLR connections. Its remote-accessible gain settings, Presence control, mute and mono functions add meaningful flexibility for matching sources and tailoring problematic recordings, although it does not include a phono stage, DAC or headphone section.
Value for Money
91/100
At $11,900, the Leto Ultra II is firmly a premium component, but Levi explicitly questions why a buyer would spend more on larger and more complex alternatives. That assessment is supported by his unusually strong praise for its low noise, neutrality, spatial performance and musical refinement.
Reviews & Sources
Professional reviews and sources for this product's Watt'n Potatoes analysis.
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Specifications
- New Features
- New upgraded circuit topology delivers more musical detail with a tighter bass. It has a robust input design to handle higher output sources. Dynamic range is expanded by new circuitry that produces a higher output before distortion. Still 100% Analog tube circuitry throughout the signal path. New tube configuration with the 12DW7 allows for the smoothest transition from the input section to outputs, providing the cleanest and most musical path for your signal. New 3 gain positions 3dB, 6dB and 9db make the Leto Ultra one of the most versatile preamps available. It easily accommodates the many volume differences from all your sources such as a high output DAC, as well as a low output phono. Your preferred gain settings are saved on each input and can be conveniently adjusted “on the fly” with the Remote or Manual control. New 6 inputs for your many sources include 3 true dedicated transformer Balanced Inputs and 3 Single Ended. All are high quality, gold plated connectors for better conductance and less corrosion for the most reliable connection. New 6 Position Presence Control adjusts the harmonic balance in the mid and high frequencies allowing you to dial back what you may consider to be too bright, edgy or aggressive. This is an exceptionally useful tool that addresses the inconsistencies of mastering from any source. It’s easily adjustable “on the fly” with your remote or manually for each piece of music. New 9 button Remote control to conveniently adjust “on the fly” settings including Input, Volume, Presence, Mute, Mono and Gain. In case you misplace your remote, all features can be adjusted manually. New LED indicators on the front panel clearly display all your adjustments.
- Other Important Features
- No solid state devices are used for switching the signals, only relays. This reduces noise and provides the most musical detail. The wide frequency response allows you to hear the finest passages in your music. Left and Right ground switches allows you to control the grounding of the outputs. The low impedance output transformers prevent the Power amp from affecting the line amp, thus providing the strongest and cleanest signal to your power amplifier. Recessed RCA and XLR connectors are premium quality, gold plated, with an isolated ground. All connectors are durable and will hold up to the typical Audiophile who loves to change their configuration. Automatically goes to mute when turned on or off, preventing any pops which could damage your speakers or surprise the hell out of you. The remote Mono feature helps you to trouble-shoot your system, especially phase issues, center balance and sound stage. Each preamp receives 50 hours of factory burn in on all circuits and vacuum tubes. Elegantly designed 16 gauge zinc plated steel enclosure to help isolate the electronic “chatter” from nearby equipment. On/Off power switch conveniently mounted on front side panel. Each unit is hand built “Made in the USA”.
Manufacturer's Description — Zesto Audio
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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- A/V Solutions — in-store — Pleasanton, California, United States (website)
- Absolute Audio - Canada — in-store — Calgary, Alberta, Canada (website)
- Altitudo Audio — online and in-store — Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada (website)
- Audio Gallery — online and in-store — Las Rozas de Madrid, Comunidad de Madrid, Spain (website)
- Audio Philosophy — in-store — Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States (website)
- BELHIFI — online and in-store — Meise, Vlaams Gewest, Belgium (website)
- Choice Audio — online and in-store — White Bear Lake, Minnesota, United States (website)
- Deep Dive Audio — in-store — Palm Bay, Florida, United States (website)
- East End Hi-Fi — online and in-store — Brookhaven, New York, United States (website)
- Editors Choice HiFi — in-store — Paola, Kansas, United States (website)
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