The LEAK Stereo integrated amplifier lineup
LEAK is one of the great names in British hi-fi, founded by Harold Leak in 1934 and celebrated for classics like the Stereo 20 amplifier and the original Sandwich loudspeaker. The brand has been revived under IAG, the group that is also home to Wharfedale, Quad, Mission and Audiolab, and the current range is styled after LEAK's mid-century originals while sharing its acoustic design lineage with those sister brands.
Specifications compared
| Specification | Stereo 130 | Stereo 230 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Integrated amplifier with built-in DAC | Integrated amplifier with built-in DAC |
| Rated Power | 2 x 45W into 8 ohms | — |
| Amplifier Class | Class AB | Class AB |
| DAC | ESS Sabre ES9018K2M 32-bit | ESS Sabre ES9038Q2M 32-bit |
| Digital Formats | PCM to 384kHz, DSD256 | — |
| Phono Stage | MM (moving magnet) | — |
| Wireless | Bluetooth with aptX | Bluetooth (aptX) |
| Digital Inputs | Asynchronous USB-B, 2 x optical, 1 x coaxial | USB-B, two optical, one coaxial |
| Analog Inputs | Line inputs | Two RCA line, MM phono |
| Outputs | Subwoofer output, RCA pre-out, headphone amplifier | RCA pre-out, headphone output, speaker terminals |
| Controls | DIRECT mode, bass and treble tone controls | — |
| Finishes | Walnut, Grey, Black | Walnut, Grey, Black |
| Rated Power (8 ohms) | — | 2 x 75W |
| Rated Power (4 ohms) | — | 2 x 115W |
| HDMI | — | HDMI ARC input |
| Power Supply | — | Larger toroidal transformer than the Stereo 130 |
At All Elite Audio we carry two models in the current LEAK integrated amplifier lineup: the LEAK Stereo 130 and the more powerful LEAK Stereo 230. Both are true one-box hubs for a modern system, and this guide will help you decide which one suits your room, your speakers, and your priorities.
The shared LEAK design in this range
Both models are integrated amplifiers, which means each combines a preamplifier and a power amplifier in a single chassis, and each has a built-in ESS Sabre DAC so you can connect digital sources directly. That shared foundation gives the range a consistent character and a familiar feature set.
Across both amplifiers you will find:
- Class AB amplification for a natural, full-bodied presentation
- An ESS Sabre 32-bit DAC on board, so no separate converter is required
- A built-in MM (moving magnet) phono stage for a turntable
- USB-B, two optical, and one coaxial digital inputs
- An HDMI ARC input so you can wire the amplifier to a television
- Bluetooth with aptX for wireless streaming from a phone or tablet
- An RCA pre-out and a headphone output
- A choice of Walnut, Grey, and Black finishes echoing LEAK's mid-century styling
Because the essential features are common to both, choosing between them comes down to power, DAC generation, and how much you want to grow into the system over time. Remember that an integrated amplifier still needs a pair of speakers to make sound; both pair beautifully with the two-way Sandwich range LEAK offers, which we cover below.
The models by tier
Everyday hub: LEAK Stereo 130
The LEAK Stereo 130 delivers 2 x 45W into 8 ohms from its Class AB output stage and uses the ESS Sabre ES9018K2M 32-bit DAC, handling PCM to 384kHz and DSD256. It adds a subwoofer output and a DIRECT mode alongside bass and treble tone controls, giving you both a purist signal path and the ability to tailor the sound to your room when you want to.
This is the amplifier for smaller and medium rooms, sensible speaker pairings, and anyone who wants a complete, elegant hi-fi hub without complication. The tone controls and subwoofer output make it especially flexible for real living spaces and for integrating a subwoofer later.
More power and headroom: LEAK Stereo 230
The LEAK Stereo 230 steps up to 2 x 75W into 8 ohms and 2 x 115W into 4 ohms, drawing on a larger toroidal transformer than the Stereo 130. It also moves to the higher ES9038Q2M DAC. This is the model to reach for when your room is larger, when your speakers are less sensitive or dip toward 4 ohms, or when you simply want more headroom for dynamic music at higher levels.
Within the same LEAK range, the Stereo 230 legitimately offers more than the Stereo 130 in the areas of power delivery, transformer capacity, and DAC generation. Both share the same core feature set, so this is a genuine step up in muscle and grip rather than a difference in philosophy.
Who each amplifier suits
Choose the LEAK Stereo 130 if
- You have a small or medium room and want a refined, complete system in one box
- You value tone controls and a dedicated subwoofer output for flexible room integration
- Your speakers are reasonably sensitive and easy to drive
- You want the full modern feature set of phono, DAC, HDMI ARC, and Bluetooth in a tidy package
Choose the LEAK Stereo 230 if
- You have a larger room or listen at higher levels and want more headroom
- Your speakers are less sensitive or present a 4 ohm load where the extra power helps
- You want the higher ES9038Q2M DAC and the grip of the larger toroidal transformer
- You are building a system you intend to keep as your speakers grow more demanding
Which should you buy, by scenario
A first serious hi-fi in an apartment or study
The Stereo 130 is the natural fit. Its power rating is well matched to smaller rooms, and the tone controls plus subwoofer output let you tune the sound and add low-end reinforcement when the room calls for it.
A larger living room or a lively main system
Step up to the Stereo 230. The extra power into both 8 and 4 ohms and the larger transformer give you the headroom to fill more space and stay composed on dynamic material.
Driving more demanding floorstanders
If your speakers dip toward 4 ohms or are on the less sensitive side, the Stereo 230 and its 2 x 115W into 4 ohms rating give you the current and grip those loads appreciate.
A television and turntable in one tidy system
Both models handle this well thanks to HDMI ARC and the built-in MM phono stage. Choose based on room size and speaker demands: the Stereo 130 for compact setups, the Stereo 230 where you want more power in reserve.
A system you plan to grow
If you expect to upgrade to larger or more demanding speakers down the road, buying the Stereo 230 now gives you extra headroom to grow into and the higher DAC generation to match.
Building the rest of your system
Either amplifier can serve as the heart of a complete LEAK system. Pair it with LEAK's Sandwich passive loudspeakers, which revive the classic aluminum foamcore Sandwich cone, remembering that passive speakers need an amplifier such as one of these to drive them. For CD playback, the LEAK CDT is a dedicated transport with no built-in DAC of its own, so it relies on the DAC inside your Stereo 130 or Stereo 230. If network streaming is a priority, the LEAK TruStream adds Roon Ready operation with Tidal, Qobuz, Spotify Connect and AirPlay 2, and its analog outputs connect neatly to a line input on either amplifier.
Come listen at All Elite Audio
All Elite Audio is an authorized LEAK dealer with a showroom in Timonium, Maryland. Demo units rotate and not every model is always set up, so please contact us to arrange a listen and we will do our best to have the LEAK amplifier you are considering ready for you.