LEBEN CS-300 XS

Pre owned. In good condition. One minor sign of wear on the rear, as shown in the photos. Supplied with manual and original packaging.

The Leben CS-300XS is a compact valve integrated amplifier capable of delivering 2×15 watts, designed to provide a natural, refined and highly detailed musical reproduction. Its sonic character stands out for a particularly expressive midrange, three-dimensional vocals and silky high frequencies, with a stable and convincing soundstage even at low listening levels. The push-pull EL84 output stage ensures lively dynamics and surprising control, making it an ideal match for efficient loudspeakers and systems focused on musicality.

Its appearance clearly recalls the tradition of classic Japanese high-fidelity design, featuring gold anodized aluminum front and rear panels, large control knobs and Canadian ash side panels, a durable wood also used in the production of baseball bats. The toggle switches and power switch further enhance the vintage character, giving the amplifier an elegant and timeless presence.

The project originates from the experience of Japanese engineer Taku Hyodo, founder of Leben. After working for major audio brands, he established his own company in 1979 specializing in electronic components and printed circuit boards. In the following years he developed professional amplifiers and, starting in 1995, introduced the Leben line with the RSA-35a power amplifier, gradually building a strong reputation among enthusiasts of valve electronics.

The construction of the CS-300XS reflects a highly refined handcrafted philosophy. Internal wiring is entirely point-to-point without the use of printed circuit boards, while the valves are mounted on elegant gold-plated sockets. The power supply is built around a robust main transformer accompanied by two newly developed proprietary Leben output transformers, designed to extend high-frequency response and improve tonal accuracy.

The output stage uses two EL84 pentode valves per channel in a push-pull configuration, driven by one ECC83 valve per channel. The circuit features a self-bias system that allows tube replacement without manual adjustments, automatically adapting to variations in the valves. Components include precision industrial-grade resistors, Nichicon Fine Gold capacitors and a high-power 4W cathode resistor, selected to ensure stability, low noise and long-term reliability.

The front panel offers simple and practical controls: three selectors for input selection, channel balance and a bass boost selectable at +3 or +5 dB, along with a large volume knob and toggle switches for power, speaker or headphone selection, and tape monitor. The latter is a feature rarely found today but appreciated by those using analog recorders or reel-to-reel systems.

On the rear panel there are five RCA line inputs, a ground terminal, robust WBT speaker terminals and a rotary selector for the output transformer impedance, allowing the amplifier to match speakers rated at 4, 6 or 8 ohms. This flexibility makes it easy to integrate into a wide range of home audio systems.

Among its most appreciated features is the dedicated headphone output derived directly from the valve circuit, capable of delivering excellent control, detail and a very refined sonic texture, particularly well suited to high-impedance dynamic headphones.

After a short warm-up time of approximately ten to fifteen minutes, the amplifier fully reveals its musical character, delivering a rich and engaging sound. The result is a refined tonal balance that particularly enhances jazz, vocal recordings, acoustic music and late-night listening sessions, while maintaining a high level of naturalness and impressive soundstage depth.

Technical specifications:

• Type: stereo valve integrated amplifier
• Valves: 4 × Sovtek EL84; 2 × Sovtek ECC83
• Inputs: 5 × RCA line inputs
• Outputs: 1 × Tape Out; 1 × 6.35 mm headphone jack; 1 × speaker output
• Power output: 2 × 15 W
• Distortion: 0.7% at 10 W
• Input sensitivity: 600 mV
• Input impedance: 100 kΩ
• Dimensions (H × W × D): 140 × 360 × 270 mm
• Weight: 10.5 kg