RJT:plastic penguin:RJT:
plastic penguin:The question is more why Leema Pulse?
Well, following my recent demos I had been set on a Roksan K2 amp with the RX1 speakers. But minutes before I pulled the trigger my missus said "it's big and ugly and I don't want it in my living room". So I'm now having to regroup a bit.
I have arranged a blind test at a hifi store between the Arcam Solo Neo (thumbs up from Mrs RJT, esp because it's 1 box), the Leema (borderline thumbs up), the Roksan K2 (thumbs down) - plus possibly the Primare or AudioLab. I liked the RX1s with the Roksan and they look good, so ideally I'd like to stick to them. Ultimately the missus has conceded that if we do a blind test we should buy whatever sounds the best - but on the condition that prettier amps are included in the mix! (she really is a sweetie - so I don't mind)
Well, the Leema will get the best out of the RX1 but not other way round. It should sound fine, but I know from personal experience the Leema needs excellent partnering equipment.
The Leema isn't lean sounding and it's pretty organnic, even warmish. It should trounce the Solo and Roksan K2 or any amp below a grand (with the correct speakers).
Would those 'correct speakers' include Leema Xeros or Xones?
I would say the Xones are a better speaker, given they originally retailed, about 3 years ago, at about £1,700. As I said before the Pulse is slightly trickier to system match. Don't dismiss MA GS10, PMC DB1is (all these speakers will be a step or two up from the RX1s).