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Japanese Exotica Kondo, Leben, Luxman, Zanden

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  #1  
Old 01-26-2014, 10:48 AM
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Default Leben CS300xs

I recently bought a CS300xs, and am very impressed! It is very musical, revealing, and has a great tonal balance.
Mine has the Sovtek el84's, and they do sound great. But I do see the the famed Mullard NOS tubes can be found in quads for about $500. Is it worth the extra layout?
I would be curious to hear from anyone who has heard both, or any other tubes I should consider.
I have to say as a guy who trades a fair amount of gear: this amp is a keeper!
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Old 01-26-2014, 08:23 PM
sheltie dave sheltie dave is offline
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If you plan on keeping the Leben, you have to buy a couple quads of great EL84 tubes. Why hold the unit back using Sovteks?

You will thank me.
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Old 01-26-2014, 08:49 PM
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Old 01-27-2014, 05:32 PM
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You would think the Sovteks could be bettered, as sheltie Dave says. Certainly the Sovtek 12ax7 was easy to improve upon, IME. That was not in a Leben though. I know a few months ago, someone was selling a NOS 300X, older version with Mullards. I can't tell you if it sold, but do remember the seller was asking alot. Easily $500 more than you would normally see an XS come up for. Of course we can't gauge too much on what one person sold one 300X for.
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Old 01-28-2014, 06:16 AM
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In this article Jeff Day mentions a recomendation for Gold Lion EL84's in this amp (it' a fair way down the page). Certainly more reasonably priced & more obtainable.

leben
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Old 02-01-2014, 02:05 PM
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sheltie dave... Welcome!
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Old 04-02-2014, 03:41 AM
viperan viperan is offline
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I have my Leben CS300XS fitted with EL84 Mullard. The sounds are a tad warmer and fatter on mid compare to the original Sovtek! I am using 12AX7 from GE.

daniel-
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Old 04-10-2015, 04:30 AM
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I bought a Leben CS300. Then I got EL84 from Mullard and Gold Lion and I much prefer Mullard with its warmer sound, more density.

BTW, I also replace the original 12AX7 with Telefunken's, the 4 caps with Duelund's, and the fuse. Each makes a big difference. :-)
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Old 10-10-2015, 11:03 PM
ngc4900 ngc4900 is offline
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I have wanted one of these amps some time. I hear the headphone amp is superb. I understand it has 6 tubes, but what do you mean by replacing the "4 caps with Duelunds" and what fuse did you buy to replace the original?
Thanks
Joe
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Old 10-10-2015, 11:35 PM
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I don't own a Leben and unfortunately can't help with your question but I do want a CS600 really bad. I'm seriously considering one as an early retirement gift to myself. Sorry to interrupt, Joe.
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