Leben CS300XS Tube Integrated Amplifier

[JSCC]

Well, I just could not resist the temptation!

The timing was just right as this is a 3 months old unit, played for less that 50 hours (as claimed), with a 30% off the net selling price, just signed off the cash cheque to the unhappy owner (understand he had to sell his entire 3 months old system to cater to his on-going divorce) and presto, I now have it.

Its such a beauty, (look at the pictures, I strongly believe you will agree) more so, its a higher level mod up unit from the standard. NOS Mullard tubes, bigger size trans, chokes, WBT type speaker terminals, very high quality parts and point to point hand soldered wiring!

The controls (knobs) and the fascia have the word "QUALITY" all over it, the knobs turned with precision 'clicks', akin to the Luxman of old. The "nostalgic" look of the 70's and the performance? Yes, the performance is indeed superb. Its "paltry" 15 tube watts amply drove the Avantgarde DUO Gross G2 with aplomb. I cant say more except the amp keeps telling me to "bring it home" and "I am such a bargain"!

So, what am I going to do with it?

Well, I certainly dont know for now, but am happy that I managed to bring (more like sneak) it past the door with nary a noise!

For sure, I am not going to (nor able to afford) buying a pair of high efficiency Avantgarde DUO Grosso G2 to match, nor a scale down price but equally astonishing Klipsch Cornwall 3's. But I do know some guys buy this amp just for - "a headphone amp"! Yes, a headphone amp and it had driven the Sennheiser 800's better than the Lehmann's!

Meanwhile, here are some pictures taken from the internet (I'll post the real thing when the right timing comes where I am able to shoot them).

To me, for the monies, this is more than a entry level high end tube integrated amplifier and with proper pairing of speakers and source, I strongly believe its performance, together as a system, can match or at times even rival some of the highly priced system combinations.

Now, I have something to keep me busy .... on the drawing board, what I am going to build around this - size, usage and most of all, how to make my better half accept this "little thing" as part of my hifi family!

No turning back .....

Cheers!

[joeinid]

Wow! good score. Can't wait to read your impressions. Looks like a beautiful piece.

Joe

[howiebrou]

Jerry,

Add a pair of Tannoy Canterburys and you will be in heaven

[cmalak]

Congrats Jerry!

[two dot]

Sounds wonderful with the DeVores...

Of course K-Horns would be nice also....

[cmalak]

Originally Posted by two dot

Sounds wonderful with the DeVores...

Of course K-Horns would be nice also....

Jerry...very good combo 3XLs if you are looking for monitors and Super 8s for floorstanders and you have a great little second system with delicious sound. If you are not listening to your turntable that often Jerry in your main system, I would switch it over to this second system and you will have an Alberto-like delicious sound

[f1 fan]

Jerry...congrats, it's a beauty and sounds so sweet with the DeVores.

Dave