STEREO 230 – LEAK
www.leak-hifi.co.uk
LEAK announces new IA - STEREO 230
- Thread starter SiR
- Start date
www.leak-hifi.co.uk
amrutmhatre90
Well-Known Member
It looks so similar to 130, wished it had some different looks
but the internals seems to be improved
Missing the POWER AMP mode, which could have helped my search !!
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amrutmhatre90
Well-Known Member
Yes, its one of a serious contender along with PM 8006, but for its (6000A)50 W/Ch and the DAC (doesn't support MQA) is what I'm sceptic about
Audiolab 9000A, seems to be good IA but the price out of my budget
ajuvignesh
Well-Known Member
Floorstanding - Dali Oberon 5, Monitor Audio Bronze 200
Bookshelf - Monitor Audio Silver 100, Dali Oberon 3
Another preferred option is Marantz PM 8006, as there is always a chance of upgrading DAC, Streamer in the future
amrutmhatre90
Well-Known Member
@SiR I have used both 6000a and 8006 for quite some time and have 6000a now, 8006 was too warm for my taste.
Audiolab though it doesn’t have MQA (which some say is a gimmick) I am using its DAC and i quite like it. And this is after using SMSL SU9 , Denafrips Ares II and some other DACs.
I have used the toslink from Wiim Mini to Audiolab and the WiiM mini does the first unfold now with the new update for MQA.
Dig the looks of Audiolab over 8006, 8006 looks like a AVR compared to the slim Audiolab.
The speakers you have should work with the Audiolab too, but your taste might differ. Audiolab is neutral and no tone controls.
Audiolab though it doesn’t have MQA (which some say is a gimmick) I am using its DAC and i quite like it. And this is after using SMSL SU9 , Denafrips Ares II and some other DACs.
I have used the toslink from Wiim Mini to Audiolab and the WiiM mini does the first unfold now with the new update for MQA.
Dig the looks of Audiolab over 8006, 8006 looks like a AVR compared to the slim Audiolab.
The speakers you have should work with the Audiolab too, but your taste might differ. Audiolab is neutral and no tone controls.
Out of curiosity and having not used these, I would like to ask, does the DAC in 6000A - ES 9018 perform to your liking same as ES9038PRO (SU9) or R2R (Aries II)
Of course, DAC implementation too plays a important role
LEAK 230 uses ES9038Q2M
As far as the looks that you compared between them, I'm least concerned about that provided they are good in their performance
Another reason for preferring PM 8006 is that I would use the WiiM PRO soon which will be a good streamer and already received Positive feedback from the users
I wish and expect the next upgrade from WiiM [after the PRO] could come with a better DAC and it would be a DAC and streamer combined
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amrutmhatre90
Well-Known Member
Thanks for your response
I too prefer the One Box solution and that's the reason still have 6000a in my mind
As mentioned earlier, I like the 9000A but way out of my budget and LEAK 230 too seems to be good but lack of POWER AMP is a concern
Audition is the biggest challenge in Chennai and probably I would soon visit Bangalore to have few and hope to get a right decision
amrutmhatre90
Well-Known Member
ajuvignesh
Well-Known Member
Amps with 50w/Ch
Also, speakers with Sensitivity around 86db with , for instance Elac DBR62
Thanks for your suggestion.
Brio is also a good one but I believe it doesn't have POWER AMP option and it is one of the preferred feature I'm looking into.
amrutmhatre90
Well-Known Member
DBR62 too is a serious contender but for its sensitivity and impedance being 86 and 6 ohms
Few reviews states that it requires a good power to get the best out of it and also not that good for near field
Will try to audition this too
@SiR - as many have already mentioned the high current amp on the AL 6000a has enough power to drive many speakers that on paper - look like a difficult load.
**my daily driver is a 84DB/m with an AL6000a.
PM8006 is a great amp however as @amrutmhatre90 mentioned - it can sound 'warm'; AL6000a is more neutral in that regard. However, it all depends on your preference
FYI - 8006 & 6000a are pretty common amps that you will find easily to audition even side by side. Chennai also has some good places to audition I believe - here is a thread - https://www.hifivision.com/threads/hi-fi-shops-to-audition-in-chennai.86877/
**my daily driver is a 84DB/m with an AL6000a.
PM8006 is a great amp however as @amrutmhatre90 mentioned - it can sound 'warm'; AL6000a is more neutral in that regard. However, it all depends on your preference
FYI - 8006 & 6000a are pretty common amps that you will find easily to audition even side by side. Chennai also has some good places to audition I believe - here is a thread - https://www.hifivision.com/threads/hi-fi-shops-to-audition-in-chennai.86877/
Thanks for your suggestion and sure will consider Atoll
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