H.J. Leak Valve Amplifier

Hi, Hi, any Leaker, Leakie or Leak user here?

rsbn589 wrote:Hi, Hi, any Leaker, Leakie or Leak user here?

Hi KY, This is your new TL12+?

Nice
Is it for sale??

Jo, it is Leak TL50+ featuring KT88 output tubes. It is believed the first KT88 commercial amp. See another picture!

rsbn - can u share with us what other equipment that u used for ur leak set up...

What about Fisher pre+Leak+LS3/5A?!

Will you consider replacing the ls3/5a with Quad-ESL-63 ?
Of course, when space is of concern, LS has the advantage.

Interesting valve amp, rsbn. Wonder got the chance to try it out with my spkrs

chamts1 wrote:Will you consider replacing the ls3/5a with Quad-ESL-63 ?
Of course, when space is of concern, LS has the advantage.

Hi chamts...not easy to get this ESL here...im also trying to get it in good working cond..

I like the leak sound with big fat horn speaker....With Pro ac signature speaker also produce good sound....

Hmm, I just have the view of its more of being an excellent collectible than sonic quality compared to numerous other vintage amplifiers around its era. Its circuitry is probably the closest variant or adaptation of the classic Mullard book circuit topology.

chamts1 wrote:Will you consider replacing the ls3/5a with Quad-ESL-63 ?
Of course, when space is of concern, LS has the advantage.

It seems to me that the elder ESL57 is more poisonous to ESL63 to my paper ears Wish to further explore the later though.

htkaki wrote:Interesting valve amp, rsbn. Wonder got the chance to try it out with my spkrs

Sure! Party can be arranged

cmboy wrote:Hmm, I just have the view of its more of being an excellent collectible than sonic quality compared to numerous other vintage amplifiers around its era. Its circuitry is probably the closest variant or adaptation of the classic Mullard book circuit topology.

Mind to share your experience or name a few models? Wish to learn from you

I've always held it high esteem in terms of its very very classic appeal along with its well thought design of a TYPICAL useable valve amplifier that would do the job as designed. I don't have enough words to describe its really classic appeal...size, layout, the gold color, classic engineering build, etc. Not too small, not too big... just lump all the nice words about it I can think of, off hand. I fancy the gold color models apart from other darker colors (or some near white) Leak have produced in its era. Lay them out in a row on display and it'll likely raise eyebrows anytime. I'll have to dig out a very special bracket assembly part (built-in 600ohm matching transformer) with a BBC name plate that was used to custom a pair of broadcast models for display, it'll be fun with it. I think you'll already know more than me, the yahoo Leak forum which have been around for sometime is a wealth of insight and info.

fizi wrote:

chamts1 wrote:Will you consider replacing the ls3/5a with Quad-ESL-63 ?
Of course, when space is of concern, LS has the advantage.

Hi chamts...not easy to get this ESL here...im also trying to get it in good working cond..

Hi fizi, yes, it hard trying to get the ESL in good working cond... even if found, might not have much life left in them ... that's why I just got a broken down pair & thro months of rebuilding, tearing them up, rebuilding again & again.... I think I will have the pair singing nicely in about a week or two.... I believe the rebuilt will last me at least another 5 years if not 10....

Oppss... sorry rsbn ... this is off topic...

Oppss... sorry rsbn ... this is off topic...[/quote]

Why say so? Me also ESL fan. Once upon a time picture. Time really flies!

rsbn589 wrote:
Why say so? Me also ESL fan. Once upon a time picture. Time really flies!

I see your Quad II is still around in this picture. What is the model of preamp you are using for the Leak ?

cmboy wrote:I've always held it high esteem in terms of its very very classic appeal along with its well thought design of a TYPICAL useable valve amplifier that would do the job as designed. I don't have enough words to describe its really classic appeal...size, layout, the gold color, classic engineering build, etc. Not too small, not too big... just lump all the nice words about it I can think of, off hand. I fancy the gold color models apart from other darker colors (or some near white) Leak have produced in its era. Lay them out in a row on display and it'll likely raise eyebrows anytime. I'll have to dig out a very special bracket assembly part (built-in 600ohm matching transformer) with a BBC name plate that was used to custom a pair of broadcast models for display, it'll be fun with it. I think you'll already know more than me, the yahoo Leak forum which have been around for sometime is a wealth of insight and info.

Yup! Sometime they look nicer than the cash notes

tycham wrote:

rsbn589 wrote:
Why say so? Me also ESL fan. Once upon a time picture. Time really flies!

I see your Quad II is still around in this picture. What is the model of preamp you are using for the Leak ?

Sorry. The picture is too large that the ESL57 sitting at right was not shown up. I use Fisher pre to drive Leak:bounce:

Next time you need to re-size the picture. The forum is set-up in such as way that it cuts off parts of the picture that won't fit into a max size. whenever I upload a picture, I try to resize it into largest VGA, usually smaller, around 500 pixels in width (height is not so much of a problem). If every picture is shown in its entirety, the forum formatting will get screwed up regularly. Resize the picture la, I am sure many forumers here wants to see your ESL57. An ex colleague of mine had the ESL63 and it always sounded nice whenever we sit down to listen to his system.

I see your Quad II is still around in this picture. What is the model of preamp you are using for the Leak ?

I know I know.. it must be the Fisher..

On the flip side of valves-gears, my collection of transistor set considered complete now with the latest addition of FM3 tuner. Apart from the tt (Rega P1 with tonearm from P2), all are Quad, CD-66, FM3 tuner, 33-Preamp, 303-Poweramp, QLSCF2 (old Quad flat speaker cable) & ESL-57.

Bintang walk

WongKN wrote:Next time you need to re-size the picture. The forum is set-up in such as way that it cuts off parts of the picture that won't fit into a max size. whenever I upload a picture, I try to resize it into largest VGA, usually smaller, around 500 pixels in width (height is not so much of a problem). If every picture is shown in its entirety, the forum formatting will get screwed up regularly. Resize the picture la, I am sure many forumers here wants to see your ESL57. An ex colleague of mine had the ESL63 and it always sounded nice whenever we sit down to listen to his system.

Thanks for the tips!

KY!
When is the 57 ready? Amps ok?
JC

rsbn589 wrote:

htkaki wrote:Interesting valve amp, rsbn. Wonder got the chance to try it out with my spkrs

Sure! Party can be arranged

Party in Sbn!! Hooray!!

cyh wrote:KY!
When is the 57 ready? Amps ok?
JC

Still in hibernation! But thinking of Denon/Forsell Killer party

rsbn589 wrote:

htkaki wrote:Interesting valve amp, rsbn. Wonder got the chance to try it out with my spkrs

Sure! Party can be arranged

Good. Thank you very much. Now, we have to find a good venue for the party.

Still in hibernation! But thinking of Denon/Forsell Killer party

mmmmm....interesting, but dunno if Mr JBL will agree or not?

Triangle sounds more promising......

Hi KY, amazing collections!! You have been busy since I last visited you years ago.

Congratulation on your new acquisition Leak TL50! Another of the very very rare and collectible vintage. I am happy for you.

Could you describe a bit on the sonic difference between TL12.1 against TL50? Eventhough I do not own TL50, but when I compared my TL12.1 against my Quad II-40 using KT88, I prefer the later for its sheer control damping factor, which allow a more homogeneous rendition bandwidth-wise. However, I cannot deny the lush sound of the KT66's TL12.1.

Do you8 have good KT88 to work with your TL50? If not, when I visited you, I could bring over my Gold Lion KT88 quad matched to 'poison' you?

Jo Ki

jokiarch wrote:the sonic difference between TL12.1 against TL50? Eventhough I do not own TL50, but when I compared my TL12.1 against my Quad II-40 using KT88, I prefer the later for its sheer control damping factor, which allow a more homogeneous rendition bandwidth-wise. However, I cannot deny the lush sound of the KT66's TL12.1.

This is simply a case of getting back to basic tube electronics circuitry where the TL12.1 is a triode connected output whereas TL50 is push pull linear tetrode output which the latter certainly will have more power and resolve which a bigger power amplifier will offer on tap. Pentodes or tetrode power tubes when connected to run as triode output are for better vocal midrange or lush sounds at certain frequency band and thats it. Triode connected ones (in this case) will be sacrificed or exchanged for the benefit of big power resolve, slam, better overall dynamics. Triode connected output will always reduce the power output potential by quite a significant percentage over true pentode or tetrode output. Having said this, its also down to design where the manufacturer will determine a preferred output to a tube. In short doesn't mean a Kt66 tube which havea full potential of 30Watts, will perform at 30W max. Depending on the circuit, it can be maxed out at say 15W, like Quad 2 classic in this case using the Kt66. Perhaps you're already aware of this. Both types have trade-offs so to speak.

Jo, Thanks. as said, once upon a time picture. Most of gears had found new home.

My limited experience using Leak TL50+ to drive LS3/5A.

Open sounding with thick body and good bass control. I like to use it for modern Jazz, man vocal.

Leak TL12.1. You already know

rsbn589 and cyh, nice meeting you guys

While waiting for the proper tube amp party, I managed to get a thing to play with as a temporary measure to cure the itch.

Hi Max!
A Jap & French connection sounds very, very interesting! Hope to hear from you soon!

Max, nice meeting you too and thanks for your hospitality

Leak by Leak

Hi KY,

Beautiful Leaky amp!! Your new acquisition of this TL12.1 open frame?

Incidentally, I am looking for a keen buyer to my pair.

Jo Ki

Hi KY,

Beautiful Leaky amp!! Your new acquisition of this TL12.1 open frame?

Incidentally, I am looking for a keen buyer to my pair.

Jo Ki

cyh wrote:Hi Max!
A Jap & French connection sounds very, very interesting! Hope to hear from you soon!

While USA and Italian troops are matching in, unknown casualty to be known after the battlefield!

USA troop. Look ugly but...

jokiarch wrote:Hi KY,

Beautiful Leaky amp!! Your new acquisition of this TL12.1 open frame?

Long old story to be chat when next meet.

Incidentally, I am looking for a keen buyer to my pair.

Jo Ki[/quote]

Heard about it with mixed feeling. Sad to lose a heavy weight Leak 12.1 member. Happy for your next horizon. Longing for your FMA set up.

rsbn589 wrote:

cyh wrote:Hi Max!
A Jap & French connection sounds very, very interesting! Hope to hear from you soon!

While USA and Italian troops are matching in, unknown casualty to be known after the battlefield!

USA troop. Look ugly but...

There's even a surprise visit by the Malaysian troop. What an interesting shoot out!! Hmmm... What's next? Let's see..

IMHO on the pres,

Italian (Graaf) - Balance and crystal clear.
USA (Fisher 400CX) - Old fashion.
Malaysian DIY (Matisse) - Hifi.

rsbn589 wrote:IMHO on the pres,

Italian (Graaf) - Balance and crystal clear.
USA (Fisher 400CX) - Old fashion.
Malaysian DIY (Matisse) - Hifi.

Happy to have a listening experience.

The Graaf is certainly more balanced. Vocal and music are blending well with one another. The Fisher, though it's old fashion, is rich in smoothness and tonality. The DIY unit has more emphasis on the higher frequencies.

The Graaf is certainly more balanced. Vocal and music are blending well
with one another. The Fisher, though it's old fashion, is rich in
smoothness and tonality. The DIY unit has more emphasis on the higher
frequencies.

I think we are forgetting the 'French" here. The Triangle was fast, accurate, goes low reasonably well. I just feel it was not so transparent, maybe it's the positioning? Btw, car o scope....which model again? To Max, thanks again!

cyh wrote:
I think we are forgetting the 'French" here. The Triangle was fast, accurate, goes low reasonably well. I just feel it was not so transparent, maybe it's the positioning? Btw, car o scope....which model again? To Max, thanks again!

Ya.. We have been forgetting the French. The speakers that provided so much fun for the 2 consecutive shoot outs is the Triangle Trio. We have also enjoyed so many nice music throughout the sessions. The Trio will just sing no matter what sort of music genre we throw at them.

cyh, you are welcome. I need to thank you, rsbn589 and Mr Wong for bringing the pre-amps to pair with the Acoustic Masterpiece M-101.

What is on the 'menu' for this week gathering?

3 years ago... Thanks to master for giving face to Leak to be at top seat

Hopefully, we can get a pair of Leak on the 'menu' in the near future!!

Aaaaaaah! The topic of this thread.....English pair with the French, not your traditional bed fellows but should sound interesting? Hopefully rsbn can get Leak sorted out?