A possible demo to replace the Leema

[plastic penguin]

Yeah, that's correct. I've had the Pulse since 2010 with a shortish sabbatical when I had the Tucana. Both are still very capable but old designs.

I have my eye on the Roksan Blak, a brand I've admired for many years (and demoed a few of their previous amps) and the newer Exposure 3510. I haven't heard any of their amps for well over a decade and a half. That would also work well with my trusty CD 2010. Both of the above should work nicely with the Dalis.

Thoughts please.

 

[Jasonovich]

2010. Really good run. Some automobiles don't last that long. Roksan Blak and Exposure 3510 seem like an excellent choice.
Not going to tell you how to pickle your own eggs, your grandmother taught you well, like room acoustics, go to a demo, blah blah but I hope it's fun.

 

[Al ears]

Yeah, that's correct. I've had the Pulse since 2010 with a shortish sabbatical when I had the Tucana. Both are still very capable but old designs.

I have my eye on the Roksan Blak, a brand I've admired for many years (and demoed a few of their previous amps) and the newer Exposure 3510. I haven't heard any of their amps for well over a decade and a half. That would also work well with my trusty CD 2010. Both of the above should work nicely with the Dalis.

Thoughts please.

If Leema still going I wouldn't bother

 

[Gray]

I have my eye on the Roksan Blak

Get one home to trial with your speakers.
Unlikely that you'll prefer every aspect of its performance compared to your Leema - but you never know, hopefully you'll decide there are improvements in enough areas....

 

[plastic penguin]

If Leema still going I wouldn't bother

It still sounds fine, Al. However, it would be an interesting experiment.

 

[plastic penguin]

Get one home to trial with your speakers.
Unlikely that you'll prefer every aspect of its performance compared to your Leema - but you never know, hopefully you'll decide there are improvements in enough areas....

Well, very true Gray. I suppose it'll be interesting to see how far I can push it (what budget) would give me a big enough upgrade. One has to start somewhere, eh? 😉

 

[plastic penguin]

2010. Really good run. Some automobiles don't last that long. Roksan Blak and Exposure 3510 seem like an excellent choice.
Not going to tell you how to pickle your own eggs, your grandmother taught you well, like room acoustics, go to a demo, blah blah but I hope it's fun.

Indeed. What a hi-fi bore I am.... 😴

I owned my Pioneer amp for 17 years before it fell to pieces. Only 2 years to go.

Yeah, the Leema is quite a robust unit.

 

[RoA]

Indeed. What a hi-fi bore I am.... 😴

I owned my Pioneer amp for 17 years before it fell to pieces. Only 2 years to go.

Yeah, the Leema is quite a robust unit.

Quite the opposite imho. You have not succumbed to marketing drivel and use what you enjoy.

Even so, a change is sometimes as good as a break. Go and listen to your mentioned contenders.

 

[plastic penguin]

Quite the opposite imho. You have not succumbed to marketing drivel and use what you enjoy.

Even so, a change is sometimes as good as a break. Go and listen to your mentioned contenders.

That's sweet of you DM.

Yeah, always good to hear something different & see if truly stacks up to the reviews. 👍

 

[Jasonovich]

Quite the opposite imho. You have not succumbed to marketing drivel and use what you enjoy.

Even so, a change is sometimes as good as a break. Go and listen to your mentioned contenders.

Change gives you that fresh impetus, other people may call it placebo. Sometimes hearing something fresh, adds new life and vitality to your system.
yep, it could also be all in your head 🙂

 

[Jasonovich]

Also if your two preferences don't work out, consider also, the Lyngdorfs, the Hegels or even the Atolls or none of the above 🙂

 

[plastic penguin]

Also if your two preferences don't work out, consider also, the Lyngdorfs, the Hegels or even the Atolls or none of the above 🙂

Indeed, there's plenty to choose from, all budgets and, and to be honest, I'll be unlucky if I was to demo a poor amp.

It's more about what works the best with my sources and speakers... and, of course, what my little grey cells detect... or don't detect.

Last year I started a thread about 'Real world listening', so I'll bear that in mind too.

 

[James105]

Of course at that price point the elephant in the room is the Leema Pulse IV

 

[plastic penguin]

Of course at that price point the elephant in the room is the Leema Pulse IV

In all truth, for the price of the Pulse IV I can pick up a used Tucana II from a dealer. As I've already owned one, that's a tastier prospect. The Tucana is a great amp. But it means spending extra for a decent phono stage.

Thanks.

 

[skinnypuppy71]

If you don't really need the extra digital connectivity of the Roksan blak, I'd just go for the Caspian m2...used of course....but you'd still need that external phono stage...if I'm not mistaken that is what the whf review said of the blak in it's original review.....me personally.....I'd save for the Leema Tucana ii anniversary model....you know you'll be in for a right treat with that beast.

 

[plastic penguin]

If you don't really need the extra digital connectivity of the Roksan blak, I'd just go for the Caspian m2...used of course....but you'd still need that external phono stage...if I'm not mistaken that is what the whf review said of the blak in it's original review.....me personally.....I'd save for the Leema Tucana ii anniversary model....you know you'll be in for a right treat with that beast.

I've already demoed the Caspian back alongside the Pulse. Not much jn it but the built-phono stage is superb.

Of course, the Tucana Anniversary model is a tasty prospect, but worth the extra cost? As I've not heard it I couldn't say.

 

[Al ears]

I've already demoed the Caspian back alongside the Pulse. Not much jn it but the built-phono stage is superb.

Of course, the Tucana Anniversary model is a tasty prospect, but worth the extra cost? As I've not heard it I couldn't say.

If I was going for one I would be on the lookout for an ex demo to bring cost down
The amp I currently have was ex demo and I saved a great deal.....
However, it meant a bit of a wait because I didn't want one in black

 

[RoA]

20 years is probably the time when there is a greater possibility of some stuff going wrong. I guess it is still worth to recap or whatever a Pulse as it would be very difficult to get another amplifier of that quality for the s/h value of the amplifier even taking refurbishment costs into account.

If I had some extra cash I would probably be looking at buying something else new rather than buying s/h and really step up. Both choices of the OP look like good candidates and there are many others out there. Just going by hear say, quality control at Exposure seems to be better than Roksan's but I may be wrong.

 

[plastic penguin]

20 years is probably the time when there is a greater possibility of some stuff going wrong. I guess it is still worth to recap or whatever a Pulse as it would be very difficult to get another amplifier of that quality for the s/h value of the amplifier even taking refurbishment costs into account.

If I had some extra cash I would probably be looking at buying something else new rather than buying s/h and really step up. Both choices of the OP look like good candidates and there are many others out there. Just going by hear say, quality control at Exposure seems to be better than Roksan's but I may be wrong.

So far the Pulse still sounds really good.

Exposure has appealed to me for ages, my current CDP, despite being very old, still sounds great for the money I paid. And everything still responds with a tautness that belies it's age.

 

[skinnypuppy71]

There's a nice 2510 on that well known auction site atm....£1349.....
I had a 3010s2d couple of years back...I bought it used for about £900-£1000, can't quite remember how much exactly, but it was a cracking amplifier, it developed a wee fault, it would be playing away just fine and then for no reason just switch into standby mode,
I sent Exposure a email and enquired, where I can could send it for repair, they responded very swiftly if I remember correctly, the next day, "here's the address, and just send it to us", they replied.
Had it back within two weeks sorted free of charge, brilliant service. Would probably still have it if my upgraditis friend hadn't offered me his primaluna Dialogue premium hp for a ridiculous price and then his Electrocompaniet eci80d..lol

 

[plastic penguin]

There's a nice 2510 on that well known auction site atm....£1349.....
I had a 3010s2d couple of years back...I bought it used for about £900-£1000, can't quite remember how much exactly, but it was a cracking amplifier, it developed a wee fault, it would be playing away just fine and then for no reason just switch into standby mode,
I sent Exposure a email and enquired, where I can could send it for repair, they responded very swiftly if I remember correctly, the next day, "here's the address, and just send it to us", they replied.
Had it back within two weeks sorted free of charge, brilliant service. Would probably still have it if my upgraditis friend hadn't offered me his primaluna Dialogue premium hp for a ridiculous price and then his Electrocompaniet eci80d..lol

Exposure, like Leema, are small independent company. They will bend over backwards to help their clients if at all possible.

 

[nopiano]

Ever since I read this review I was interested to try an Exposure amp in my system.

Exposure 3510 Integrated Amplifier

Exposure returns to its roots with a full-width integrated inspired by the improved circuit design of the recent 5010 monoblock power amps. Does 'old school' still cut it? Nostalgia doesn't come any better than this: an integrated amplifier that looks like it escaped from the 1980s, all...

www.hifinews.com

For no reason I can particularly identify, I feel less enthusiastic about the Roksan. However, I liked the Caspian CD player which my dealer used to demo the ATCs I eventually bought.

 

[The_Lecht_Rocks]

Am I barking up the wrong tree with this.
Mine driving my SCM11s and I just love it. Don’t be fooled by 25w

Pardon our interruption...

 

[Jasonovich]

Ever since I read this review I was interested to try an Exposure amp in my system.

Exposure 3510 Integrated Amplifier

Exposure returns to its roots with a full-width integrated inspired by the improved circuit design of the recent 5010 monoblock power amps. Does 'old school' still cut it? Nostalgia doesn't come any better than this: an integrated amplifier that looks like it escaped from the 1980s, all...

www.hifinews.com

For no reason I can particularly identify, I feel less enthusiastic about the Roksan. However, I liked the Caspian CD player which my dealer used to demo the ATCs I eventually bought.

Great Ken Kessler review on HiFi News, still the same analogue cultist of the 80s. The man's a relic but one with integrity and fairness.
I took step backwards when he started sampling various ghastly pop ilks on SACD!
Come on Ken pull out the Linn Sondek!
Yes I was wrong about him 😊

 

[jamesrfisher]

It may just reinforce the fact that, at the price, you have a great system and don't need to change anything.