Modern SOUND Vintage STYLE. LEAK AUDIO Stereo 130 Review
LEAK Stereo 130 Integrated Amplifier review by Andrew Robinson
Modern Sound Vintage Style
Leak Audio Stereo 130 Review
The original Leak Stereo 30 was launched in 1963 and at the time it was a gateway product of sorts. While not as cheap as some products on the market at that time, it was more affordable than Leak’s own tube-based designs. This in turn made the Stereo 30 a bit of a mid-fi integrated amplifier before such a thing was really, a thing. The Stereo 30 ushered in a new era for Leak and brought about many changes for the company before its eventual sale in 1969 and then later closed in the 70s due to changes in the audio market. Now Leak Audio is back with modern sound vintage style. LEAK AUDIO Stereo 130 review is here!
Obviously we have to discuss the Stereo 130’s style as it looks more than a little reminiscent of the Stereo 30, and this is a great thing! At least for me. There are a lot of products on the market that do their best to trade upon nostalgia, many of which simply do not succeed. Not the case with the Stereo 130. Leak took a different approach; rather than attempt to update the Stereo 30’s look for 2020, they just straight up brought it back -at least from a visual standpoint.
A HIFI LEGEND REBORN
I love the 60’s form factor. The Stereo 130 is a compact integrated amplifier measuring just over 12 inches in width opposed to the typical 17 to 19 inches of more modern components. This compact stance actually makes the Stereo 130 look more tailored and purposeful, design-wise. The walnut wood cabinet surround is the perfect accent to the Stereo 130’s off-white and black paint scheme. The use of lowercase typography - a throwback to the original 30 - looks decidedly contemporary today, a hifi legend reborn. Around back the Stereo 130 goes from 1963 to 2020. In truth, the back panel of the Stereo 130 looks borrowed from the Quad Vena II integrated amplifier.
TESTING THE LEAK STEREO 130
Testing the LEAK Stereo 130 included a trio of loudspeakers; our Klipsch Heresy IVs, Q Acoustics Concept 300 and Wharfedale Denton 85th Anniversary speakers. Sources included the Leak CDT as well as our U-Turn Orbit Special turntable. We also streamed music via TIDAL through Bluetooth as well as through the TIDAL app via our LG smart TV.
THE STEREO 130 SOUND
Despite it’s retro styling the Stereo 130 sound is far more modern than it’s looks would lead you to believe. It is not a romantic, warm, lush or vintage sounding piece at all. If anything, it’s pretty exacting. On a whole the Stereo 130’s tone is ever so slightly lean or forward of neutral. This gives it solid presence and notable detail, but it also means that when paired with speakers or other electronics with similar voicing, you may end up with too much of a good thing.
WATCH THE VIDEO FOR MY FULL BREAKDOWN OF THE LEAK STEREO 130 SOUND
With respect to comparable products, there are a few worth noting, beginning with the Quad Vena II. The Vena II and the Stereo 130 share largely, if not the same, internal architecture. They’re manufactured by the same parent company, so it stands to reason they are basically the same product. Thankfully they also cost about the same, so your potential buying decision comes down to which design looks best to you.
At around its asking price I would also include the Musical Fidelity M3si. While the M3si does lack the Stereo 130’s digital prowess, it makes up for it with more power and a slightly warmer, more full-bodied tone, which makes it an easier pairing with perhaps a wider range of loudspeakers. The choice between the Leak and Musical Fidelity piece may also come down to which look you prefer visually, as not everyone is hot on the vintage look in which case the more modern lines of the M3si may be your jam.
Want to know more about the new Leak Audio Stereo 130 Integrated Amplifier? Watch my full review HERE and be sure to subscribe for all the latest reviews!
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