Leak Stereo 20

[southall-1998]

I've owned the Leak Stereo 20 twice in the past. These are indeed good sounding vintage amps. With a shockingly good modern (ish) sound.

I've seen some examples sell, that have been tweaked/modded etc. Why the hell do some bastards do that? Good ''serviced ones'' are the way to go imo.

I'm thinking off getting my 3rd Leak Stereo 20 in the next couple of months. Haven't heard one for almost 3 years now.

Luckily, I've got a spare single input passive pre lying around somewhere. + some mullard el-84's & ecc83's.... Should have kept the GZ34!!

Is anyone here using a Leak Stereo 20, that has been serviced by classique sounds?

S.

[simon e]

Hi Shane

I'm currently using a st20 which was my grandfathers I've been slowly servicing it my self.

I'm using mundorf tube caps for the big smoothing capacitors all the rest are Russian PIO ones from eBay and mainly Takman carbon film resistors.

It's all pretty simple to do due to the layout of the leak apart from the connections around the original pre amp connection.

There is a very good Yahoo group for all leak equipment.

Hope you can pick up one for a sensible price.

[Jimbo]

My first valve power amp was a Croft modified Stereo 20. Used it with the very first Croft Micro and a Garrard 301 with a Decca blue cartridge. Very nice sound but sold the lot. Very much regret that decision now!

[southall-1998]

I wonder how the 20 sounds compared to the 60? The 60 takes el-34 tubes and weighs a lot more!!

S.

[walpurgis]

Not tried the 60, but I've heard it said that the Stereo 20 is the best sounding of the stereo Leaks.

Nothing wrong with the sound of those I've had. They're very nice. Lucid and quite grippy, not soggy at the bottom like some. They also sound far more powerful than the 12 watt rating would make you think.

[southall-1998]

Is the 60 self bias?

S.

[Jonboy]

Look for a Graphite or silver stereo 20 , better transformers

[southall-1998]

Look for a Graphite or silver stereo 20 , better transformers

Is this proven? Or just plain daft urban myth?

S.

[Arkless Electronics]

Urban myth. There were only 2 specs issued for OPTX.

I have quite extensively modded mine (all can be put back to standard if required) and can report that big improvements over the standard sound are possible;)

[Jonboy]

Urban myth. There were only 2 specs issued for OPTX.

perhaps, whatever just going by what I was told and heard .... had both ...graphite definatley better, . each were restored by the same person , what he don't know about vintage valve amps ain't worth knowing

[Wakefield Turntables]

still never heard any leak stuff, probably a bucketlist thing.

[Jonboy]

still never heard any leak stuff, probably a bucketlist thing.

had or heard all I think now , the stereo 20 sounds the most musical to my ears and better than the 12plus mono blocks counterparts ....don't believe the 10.1 and 12.1 are worth what there are fetching financially now for musicality

[southall-1998]

had or heard all I think now , the stereo 20 sounds the most musical to my ears and better than the 12plus mono blocks counterparts ....don't believe the 10.1 and 12.1 are worth what there are fetching financially now for musicality

Have you heard the Stereo 60?

S.

[walpurgis]

still never heard any leak stuff, probably a bucketlist thing.

I promise you'd like the Stereo 20 Andy. It actually drives very well and works surprisingly capably with Quad ESLs and Tannoys.

[Jonboy]

Have you heard the Stereo 60?

S.


yes and and not a fan , not keen on el 34's anyway, good article here

http://www.hi-fiworld.co.uk/olde-worlde/225-leak-stereo-20-valve-amplifier.html

[walpurgis]

yes and and not a fan , not keen on el 34's anyway, good article here

http://www.hi-fiworld.co.uk/olde-worlde/225-leak-stereo-20-valve-amplifier.html

Funny you should say that. Much as I love the Stereo 20, I sold my last one because my EL34 monos were significantly better all round.

[struth]

I liked some of leaks SS amps

[Jonboy]

Funny you should say that. Much as I love the Stereo 20, I sold my last one because my EL34 monos were significantly better all round.


i think it's just a personal thing as always Geoff with el 34's ...feel the same about 300b's ( hides behind sofa and waits for the backlash )

I have had a Radford st 25 a dynaco 70 and Audio innovations s500 none sounded as good to my ears as an el84 amp my Lafayette still being one of my favourites ,

[DSJR]

Why the hell do some bastards do that? Good ''serviced ones'' are the way to go imo.



Shane, it's more than that. After just one or two decades of use with the components then used, amps like this suffered worn out components, knackered caps and resistors going way off in value. Glenn Croft used to do an amazing rebuild on them, as he did/does for the Quad II's. The main update was to stay totally true to the original circuit, but replace everything with modern well specified components. One other update he used to do was fit a valve regulated supply inside, which improved reliability - my Quads were done thus twenty five years ago.

I like the Stereo 20, but it needs a Croft Micro preamp or similar to properly sing on modern sources I think.

[Jonboy]

Shane, it's more than that. After just one or two decades of use with the components then used, amps like this suffered worn out components, knackered caps and resistors going way off in value. Glenn Croft used to do an amazing rebuild on them, as he did/does for the Quad II's. The main update was to stay totally true to the original but replace everything with modern well specified components.

I like the Stereo 20, but it needs a Croft Micro preamp or similar to properly sing on modern sources I think.

aggree with that

[Arkless Electronics]

perhaps, whatever just going by what I was told and heard .... had both ...graphite definatley better, . each were restored by the same person , what he don't know about vintage valve amps ain't worth knowing

The only change in transformer specs happened while they were still the bronze colour (from spec. 3921 to 8778 about'63 ish). AFAIK there were no silver ones. There were a few very early ones made in almost the Marantz "champagne gold" but more pinky than Marantz... Most though were the bronze colour and there was a later change to black/graphite which itself had a change to a darker black. Even rarer were the export only matching Varislope pre amp with a gold front panel which was for USA export only.

They do indeed sound very good... there were a few design miscalculations in the original and a few things which with modern hindsight can easily be improved, all can be done in such a way as to be completely set back to standard if needed. With some mods they can really sing! much more modern still in terms of grip and transparency can be achieved such as they will rival any modern valve amp of similar power... and probably beat most ;) Where do they stand in standard form? Better than Quad but short of Radford is the easy answer...

One of the best sounds I've ever heard was from a Stereo 20 I REALLY modded for a customer who became a good friend (now sadly no longer with us).. regulated PSU's for each stage etc.... feeding into rebuilt ESL57's. Truly jaw dropping :eek:

[petrat]

Stereo 20s are ace ... lovely, bouncy, musical things, with more than enough detail to satisfy.
Actually, I have yet to hear an EL84 amp that I don't like.

[jandl100]

Stereo 20s are ace ... lovely, bouncy, musical things, with more than enough detail to satisfy.
Actually, I have yet to hear an EL84 amp that I don't like.

Me, too. The EL84 is my favourite power valve, I think.

I don't get on with EL34 amps at all. :zzz:

I've owned Leak St20 a couple of times. Excellent. Lots of grip and they let the pizzaz through. :thumbsup:

[Jonboy]

The only change in transformer specs happened while they were still the bronze colour (from spec. 3921 to 8778 about'63 ish).



This perhaps is when they changed the output transformers to 20% ultra linear from the original 43% making the sound more open and perhaps powerful, so no i don't think that the line Urban myth applies and still say the graphite sound better