Leben RS28cx

[wojtek]

This is a difficult sale. It’s a curious combination of the build quality and a difficult to describe mellifluous impact on the sound, but I have lost my listening room, have some bills and need to consolidate around headphones for a while.

I own a tim de paravicini designed power amp which has a volume pot and doesn’t need a preamp, but this preamp enhances the sound stage and makes everything gel that bit more. I used to own a Rose valve preamp which was very good but this was a big step up. Equally it is not a razor for chiselling out extra detail, but more like a gently running brook - lively/living detail with smooth edges. All I can say is it’s a subtle thing that really grows on you. It’s not something I expected to sell.

The preamp is a UK version. It has a valve based power supply in a separate housing and umbilical cord. One very good feature is there is both a fixed and variable output, with a stepped volume knob to adjust for different gain power amps. It isn’t stone silent but it is a valve amp.

It has some marks to the sides - especially the power supply housing which was somewhere down out of sight, but they are slight and the faces of both units are clean. It’s such a lovely build quality.

I think I have a spare vintage valve for the power supply choke as I experimented swapping it (I don’t think it made any difference to the sound). The preamp has a soft start / warm up sequence when turning on to preserve tube life.

I do not have the original boxes - audition and collection from Edinburgh preferred. I would like £2200, I think the new price is around £6000 but please correct me. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20230830/3d2c7e9ff771d165e3d0fda9ccb99345.jpg
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[spook]

I've always wanted to have a listen to one of these to see how it compares to my Audio Research Ref 3. Always loved a nice warm preamp!

The gold cases may be a bit marmite to some but if the reviews are anything to go by this will have plenty of that valve magic.

GLWTS.

[wojtek]

Thanks - I forget the vintage styling is not to everyone’s taste!

I had always meant to try it with a good class D power amp - I had some surprisingly good results with a simple Tripath amp, a bit light in the bottom end but remarkable given how David-and-goliath the combination was cost-wise. Unfortunately this remains on the to do list!

[wojtek]

A bump down to £2100.

[wojtek]

And down to £2000..

Any advice on whether this is the right place to advertise valve gear like this or if I am expecting too much welcome!

[struth]

Leben stuff is very good. I don't know going price but I'd have thought you were in ballpark

[Berni217]

I had a few gears from Leben. I am a fan.
My integrated amp was sold on here also.
This is fantastic pre amp for a very good price indeed.
Good luck!


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[Macca]

And down to £2000..

Any advice on whether this is the right place to advertise valve gear like this or if I am expecting too much welcome!

lots of fans of Leben and valve equipment in general here but you're saying collection only from Edinburgh so that is going to limit your potential market quite a lot.

[wojtek]

Thanks and that is a fair point about Edinburgh!

If anyone is interested down south please let me know. I have family in Cambs and friends in London so might be able to arrange something.