Note that this is a discontinued product. You may want to visit the brand's page here to browse their newer products.
What reviewers think
Bloggers and YouTubers have tried this product—so we've summarized their strongest opinions below. Links to full reviews follow.
Product Strengths
- High-quality construction and reliable performance, with a low cost of upkeep
- Known for excelling at playing music in a natural and effortless way, being harmonically rich, tonally correct, and very transparent, having a tight and tuneful bass response, and a very wide bandwidth
- Immersive, exciting, and dramatic performance with audio-visual sources, enhancing the film experience
- Resolving, transparent, sophisticated, and nuanced presentation, which enhances the drama and excitement of video content
Product Considerations
- Requires an extraordinary amount of run-in time—around 600 hours—before optimal performance is achieved, and can sound hard and distorted during the run-in period
- Uses NOS GE JAN 6197 power tubes and 17EW8 driver tubes that are no longer in production, requiring users to stock up for future use
- May accentuate flaws or undesirable qualities in certain recordings, particularly those with an 'audiophile spectacular' balance
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs Leben CS-600: The CS-300F presents music more convincingly, with more drama and excitement, while the CS-600 sounds warmer, with more body and richness
Takeaway: The Leben CS-300F is a well-crafted and unique integrated amplifier with excellent performance for both music and movies, especially when paired with warmer-sounding components. Its ability to create an immersive and exciting audio-visual experience makes it a worthwhile consideration.
What are hifi reviews useful for? (1) Identifying products you should demo in person at a dealer. (2) Learning which products reviewers unanimously praise as the best they've heard (this means they probably are legitimately great). (3) Identifying a product's attributes that satisfy your idiosyncratic needs and tastes. Beyond that, we often discount what reviewers say because they heap praise on most products—and are often apprehensive about publishing strong criticism or comparisons between products. Further, they seldom have more than a few products on-hand, often relying on their memories to compare past products. Always listen for yourself.
All
CS-300
reviews
[{"title":"Leben CS300 integrated amplifier","link":"https://www.stereophile.com/content/leben-cs300-integrated-amplifier","source":"Stereophile","datePublished":"2011"},{"title":"Leben Hi-Fi Stereo Company CS-300F - Positive Feedback","link":"https://positive-feedback.com/audio-discourse/leben-cs-300f","source":"positive-feedback.com","datePublished":""}]
An excellent review of a great product
/
Publisher
/
3/1/2022
An excellent review of a great product
Publisher
/
3/1/2022
Video Review
Manufacturer details
Features
Specifications
- Tubes Equipped: EL84/6BQ5(SOVTEK) X 4, 12AX7A(Sovtek) X 2
- Output Power: 12W X 2
- Frequency Response: 15Hz - 100KHz (-2 dB)
- Distortion: 0.7%(10W)
- Input Sensitivity: 600mV
- Input Impedance: 100K Ohms
- Output Impedance: 4/6/8 Ohms (Selectable)
- Power Consumption: 65W
- Weight: 10 Kgs
- Dimensions: 360(W) X 270(D) X 140(H) mm
- Attachment: Detachable AC Power Cable x 1
Description
CS-300 is equipped with Russian finnest Tube EL-84 produced by "SOVTEK", which is well known for high sound quality versus its small size.
CS-300 is equipped with Russian finnest Tube EL-84 produced by "SOVTEK" , which is well known for high sound quality versus its small size.
Release Timeline
Manufacturer Site
Brand highlights
Taking a step back to look at reviewers' thoughts of the brand's entire lineup—not just this product—what stands out most is the following:
- The brand's amplifiers are often described as having a "tube-like" sound, characterized by warmth, richness, and a relaxed presentation, yet still delivering clarity and detail.
- Leben products, designed with careful consideration of total musical balance, are intended for "music lovers" and prioritize listener relaxation and enjoyment.
- Leben integrated amplifiers have an uncanny ability to work with a diverse range of speakers.
Select products
Select product comparisons
RS-30EQ PHONO PREAMPLIFIER
- Positioning: A dedicated phono preamplifier with a CR-type equalizer focused on precise tone control.
- Description: Uses a high-quality Orient-Core power transformer and GE 12AT7A tubes to achieve a stable, low-noise equalization setup. Compared to other models, its simple design and lower power consumption make it a good choice for smaller rooms and budgets, with functionality tailored for accurate phono playback.
CS-300F PRE-MAIN AMPLIFIER
- Positioning: A compact tube pre-main amplifier designed for clear audio signal preparation.
- Description: Uses GE JAN-6197 and a premium Japanese 17EW8 driver tube to deliver clean amplification in a small, efficient unit. Relative to the RS-30EQ, it offers additional pre-main functionality while maintaining a straightforward tube sound, suiting users with modest space and budget constraints.
CS-600 PRE-MAIN AMPLIFIER
- Positioning: A versatile tube pre-main amplifier featuring dual tube options and extended controls.
- Description: Provides selectable output tubes (6L6GC or EL34) and multiple input options along with a power amp bypass to tailor the sound and impedance for various setups. Compared to the CS-300F, its extra functions and tube switching give users more flexibility and technical refinement.
CS-1000P STEREO POWER AMPLIFIER
- Positioning: A high-power tube stereo amplifier built for large audio systems.
- Description: Uses pentode circuit designs with KT120 tubes and a newly developed Orient-Core output transformer for wide frequency response and robust amplification. When compared to pre-main units like the CS-600, its advanced circuitry and higher power output accommodate larger rooms and higher-end setups.
RS-28CX PREMIUM PREAMPLIFIER
- Positioning: A flagship premium tube preamplifier aimed at achieving refined signal quality.
- Description: Features a CR-type equalizer with GE 12AT7 tubes, an independent power supply, and a dual triode 6CG7 SRPP design that ensures a clean, high-voltage output. In contrast to the CS-1000P, its superior build and technical sophistication address the needs of users with the highest performance demands.
See All Products
Avg. Product Price
$500
Used For Sale
2
Available (Scroll Down)
Brand Popularity
276
of 900+
Badges
Top 50 Brand
Top 250 Brand
Products Listed
10
Founding Year
1995
Our take on the brand
Leben is a hifi brand known for its hand-built amplifiers that use rare vacuum tubes like the NOS GE JAN 6197 and 17EW8, which create a distinctive sound signature. Their amplifiers require unusually long run-in times of up to 600 hours and offer unique tube-swapping flexibility, allowing users to fine-tune their sound to their preferences.
Look inside the brand
Brand Page
Our interview with the brand
What are two key technological innovations or strong opinions that differ you from other brands?
What's your approach to customer support?
What are your favorite tracks for showcasing the strength of your products?
What other products pair best with yours?
From our interview with
.
Brand Page
Used
Leben
All of the Brand's Used Products
What if you spend more?
Feliks Audio
ECHO 2
943
943
/
7
Reviews
Feliks Audio is a Polish brand that handcrafts tube amplifiers, including their flagship Envy model which features single-crystal copper wiring and 300B tubes known for their linearity and low distortion. Their amplifiers stand out for their ability to drive both high-impedance dynamic and planar magnetic headphones, which is uncommon among tube amplifiers, while maintaining a low noise floor and delivering natural, warm sound.
Expand Details
.svg)
Product Strengths
- Unique and engaging musical experience, even with some hard-to-drive headphones
- Natural, fluid, musical sound with a bit of warmth, superb soundstage, and resolution
- Exceptional detail for the price category and low distortion
- Great build quality and a pleasing aesthetic, being hand-built
- Also works as a preamplifier for stereo setups
Product Considerations
- Not designed for planar magnetic headphones or for low impedance headphones
- May sound brighter, with lower bass quantity and precision, with low impedance headphones
- Tubes are consumables and will burn out after a couple thousand hours of use
- The power switch is located on the back, which some may find inconvenient
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs SPL Audio Phonitor 2 amp—Echo 2 provides a more refined experience
- Vs Hagerman Tuba—Echo 2 has better driving power and clarity for high impedance headphones
- Vs Audio-gd Master 19—Echo 2 has a more natural tonality and deeper soundstage for high impedance headphones
- Vs Violectric HPA V340—Echo 2 has a more magical musicality and a smoother presentation for high impedance headphones
- Vs Burson Soloist 3X Performance—Echo MKII leans towards a slightly more relaxed sound, while Soloist leans into a more forward aggressive one, and the Soloist has stronger treble extension
Takeaway: The Feliks Audio Echo 2/MKII is a great tube amplifier for those who appreciate engaging and emotionally rich listening sessions, especially with high-impedance dynamic headphones. This hand-built amplifier offers a unique musicality and adds warmth and depth to music.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Feliks Audio is a Polish brand that handcrafts tube amplifiers, including their flagship Envy model which features single-crystal copper wiring and 300B tubes known for their linearity and low distortion. Their amplifiers stand out for their ability to drive both high-impedance dynamic and planar magnetic headphones, which is uncommon among tube amplifiers, while maintaining a low noise floor and delivering natural, warm sound.
Product Page
Product Page
What competes at this price?
No items found.
How to buy
Amplifiers
Search all hifi products
Explore our database of 10,000+ new and 25,000+ used hifi products.
.png)
