Leak Stereo 130

[Georges7]

Have recently bought a Leak Stereo 130. On the whole a good amplifier that offers good control over my Q Acoustics 3050i speakers. I do not fully understand why but specifically when a PC is connected to the USB B input, the sound is a bit too lean to my taste. I inserted an ifi Zen DAC, with its noise free power adapter, in between the PC and the amp and the result is extraordinary: full bodied sound and no loss of detail. MQA on top!

 

[Deleted member 116933]

Wecome! sound like a nice setup

Basically, the DAC in the leak just isn't as well implemented as the standalone. It's not just ones and zeros
once converted the analogue waveform has to be treated nicely and it's a noisy old place in an amplifier
and can be hard to do. At that price, I'd prefer they put the extra budget into amp a little more rather than half baked DAC section. But I know why its there

 

[Al ears]

I quite like the retro look but presumably the DAC has been optimised solely to work with the matching CDT.

 

[Georges7]

You could be right. I do not have the matching CDT but I have no sound issues when I connect my Sony Cd/Sacd/Blu-ray player via coax.

 

[Al ears]

Presumably when you connect a PC it is the DAC / soundcard in the PC that is influencing thimgs

 

[matthewpiano]

I'm enjoying the combination of MF electronics and Wharfedale Linton 85s at present, but I must admit pairing the Lintons with the Leak 130 and CDT is a very appealing thought.

 

[Georges7]

I'm enjoying the combination of MF electronics and Wharfedale Linton 85s at present, but I must admit pairing the Lintons with the Leak 130 and CDT is a very appealing thought.

True, nice combination. There is YouTube video about it.

 

[Georges7]

Presumably when you connect a PC it is the DAC / soundcard in the PC that is influencing thimgs

PC DAC is supposed to be bypassed, I do not know about the influence of the soundcard. For your information I have Audirvana on my PC to stabilise the digital signal.