The Leben CS300XS Thread

[vert]

I did swap the tubes. I've had the problem on 2 out of the 3 CS300s I've owned. So I was very happy when the noise disappeared with the LCD-3s. Also that they sound sublime with the Leben.

 

[ardilla]

May I ask why you have owned three CS300?
 
+1 for the LCD-3/CS300 combo
 
Repeating myself: Any CS300 owner should try out the HE-500 
Quote:

I did swap the tubes. I've had the problem on 2 out of the 3 CS300s I've owned. So I was very happy when the noise disappeared with the LCD-3s. Also that they sound sublime with the Leben.

 

[vert]

Sold the 1st one I owned, which I immediately regretted. Then picked up a 2nd Japanese unit, and this one was picking up the buzzing/static from my setup. So I sold it.
 
I now have a 240v unit which also had the buzzing until the LCD-3s showed up.
 
Ironically, the 1st unit was an older Japanese model which did not have the buzzing at the time.

 

[ardilla]

As mentioned before - there are two versions. The first one might have the resistors for sensitive headphones installed. 

 

[RedBull]

Is there any physical marking which leben model has high gain and which has low gain? Mine is completely silent with anything from HD650 to LCD-2 r1, but I haven't tried AD2K and Grado SR-60 yet.

 

[ardilla]

You must email Leben your serial number.

Please do so and let uss know!

(alternatively open it up from underneath and identify the resistor values on the hp out)

 

[RedBull]

Ok, thanks, I will send leben the serial number, as I am not a guy who like to like to perform surgery on my equipment is not absolutely necessary

I will let you know my result.

 

[MuppetFace]

My experience with hum and the Leben has been frustrating. The HD800 and T1 both had a lot of background noise, but the LCDs and HE-6 were quiet. Also the Ed. 10 was quiet, which seems odd. I've also tried using the Leben with a transformer: both the TakeT TR2 and the Jecklin QA, and in both cases there was background noise. So in my case it's not just a headphone output issue.
 
Tried cleaning the tubes. No improvement. Tried swapping the tubes. No improvement.

 

[Clayton SF]

I own the Leben CS600 and I've owned the Leben CS300XS and had never had any hum issues with any of the headphones I own. From the Denon D7000 to the Beyer DT900 600ohms headphones.

 

[MuppetFace]

Lucky you. My CS300XS has been one of the noisiest amps I've ever owned.
 
Edit: No sarcasm intended, btw. I'm seriously glad some folks haven't had any issues.

 

[ardilla]

What AC voltage do you use?
 
I have 230 V and only a faint 50 Hz-ish hum with the HD650 (with the high ouput resistors) . Just a tad too much for quiet passages
Quote:

My experience with hum and the Leben has been frustrating. The HD800 and T1 both had a lot of background noise, but the LCDs and HE-6 were quiet. Also the Ed. 10 was quiet, which seems odd. I've also tried using the Leben with a transformer: both the TakeT TR2 and the Jecklin QA, and in both cases there was background noise. So in my case it's not just a headphone output issue.
 
Tried cleaning the tubes. No improvement. Tried swapping the tubes. No improvement.

 

[Wolfbane]

New Member of the Leben CS300XS club here. I've kept an eye open for one of these since 1st listening to one (which was already sold) at the auhtorized dealer in Phoenix a couple of years back.
 
Just picked my amp up and have just set it up attached to a Grant Fidelity DAC-09 and a pair of Beauty Deity speakers. It is currently equiped with all Sovtek tubes (EL84's and 12AX7's).
 
I'm going to run it with the current tubes which are well matched and then do some tube swapping of the signal tubes first. I have a number of well matched NOS 12AX7 and 5751 tubes and was wondering if anyone has found a good match in these tubes for their amp?
 
Wb

 

[BugleBoy]

Congratulations on your acquisition!
 
I had summarized my thoughts earlier in this thread here: (http://www.head-fi.org/t/415214/the-leben-cs300xs-thread/945#post_7786585)
 
I have since tried the Philips Miniwatt EL84's (sittrad) as well and find them to be fantastic tubes...on par with Amperex d-getters. I suspect they are same tubes with different labels.
 
Though tube rolling can be a rewarding experience; I recently found that replacing the stock fuse with the Furutech's made the Leben experience even better.
 
Just my 2c!
 
Cheers

 

[Skylab]

I'm using Raytheon windmill getter triple mica 5751's and Philips Holland EL84's in mine, and still loving it!

 

[dminches]

When did you swap out the sylvanias?