Leak Stereo 130 with Wharfedale Super Denton Bookshelf Speakers

The LEAK STEREO 130 was launched to celebrate to iconic LEAK Stereo 30 which was introduced in 1963. This transistor amplifier featured quasi-complementary germanium transistor output stage. Embracing a succession path from the illustrious valve amplification series, the STEREO 30 maintained the high-fidelity stereo performance synonymous with LEAK. The new Stereo 130 has a similar retro look and feel but with a fully modern high performance amplifier and all the up to date connectivity you will need, all housed within the classic LEAK styled case…

The LEAK STEREO 130 has a built-in Moving Magnet (MM) phono pre-amplifier which allows for direct connection to turntable record players. You can also stream music to the LEAK STEREO 130 from any Bluetooth device such as portable music players and smartphones via innovative built-in aptX and AAC codec. One can enjoy CD-quality audio over the Bluetooth wireless connection. To accommodate the modern-day music enthusiast fully, much effort has been made to ensure the LEAK STEREO 130 ’s digital circuitry delivers the level of quality one might expect of a high-performance standalone D/A converter, let alone an integrated amplifier solution.

Headphone Amplifier

The LEAK STEREO 130 uses a dedicated amplifier circuit with current-feedback technology for the headphones output. Equal in performance to standalone headphone amplifiers, beyond the price-class of this complete system, the design offers high-speed output signal transition thanks to a high slew rate. The result is a dynamic, detailed and engaging performance with all manner of headphone types.

DAC

Utilising the acclaimed ES9018 Sabre32 Reference chip with ESS Technology’s 32-bit HyperStream architecture and Time Domain Jitter Eliminator, the LEAK STEREO 130 offers ultra-low noise, high dynamic range of digital audio files with a sampling rate of up to 384kHz (PCM) and DSD256.

The Stereo 130’s innate musicality is hardly surprising given the hi-fi handiwork involved. At its core is a Class AB power amp that draws on many decades of amplifier design experience. A 200VA toroidal transformer is followed by 2x15000uF reservoir capacity, helping the amp to maintain firm control of the music whilst enabling excellent dynamic range.

In tasking the ES9018K2M Sabre32 Reference DAC chip to handle digital-to-analogue conversion, complemented by specially devised circuitry including op-amps selected for their synergy with the ES9018, LEAK has engineered excellent digital music playback quality. And to ensure the utmost detail and expression from every music source, the layout of the Stereo 130’s digital and analogue circuits has been carefully applied, with independent power supplies feeding all critical stages.

Bass and treble tone controls – a feature passed down from the original Stereo 30 – enable sound to be tailored to suit the varying characteristics of different analogue and digital sources. If preferred, these tone controls may be bypassed to deliver the shortest possible signal path to the precision analogue volume stage, which is controlled by a motorised ALPS potentiometer.

LEAK CD Player (optional)

The matching LEAK CD Player the LEAK CDT offers the highest available standard of sound reproduction from CD playback within this price class. It is also equipped with USB storage device playback functionality.

The premium CD mechanism uses read ahead buffering to reduce disc read errors and deliver the highest level of digital signal extraction from CD media.

Wharfedale Super Denton

The Wharfedale SUPER DENTON is a modern addition to the company’s Heritage series, blending classic design with advanced audio technology. Building on the 2014 Denton 80th Anniversary model, which celebrated Wharfedale’s long-standing reputation in hi-fi audio, the SUPER DENTON continues this legacy with a timeless, yet thoroughly updated design. Available in three elegant finishes – Walnut, Mahogany, and Black Oak – it epitomises Wharfedale’s heritage of traditional craftsmanship, now enhanced by cutting-edge engineering. This new model pays homage to the original Denton, a compact 'bookshelf' speaker that pioneered high-quality audio in a modest size.

Compact Three-Way Design

Unlike many compact speakers, the SUPER DENTON features a complex three-way driver configuration, similar to the historic Denton 3 from 1971. Measuring 360 x 246 x 275mm, it maintains its small stature while delivering a dynamic audio range through distinct bass, midrange, and treble units. The offset positioning of the midrange and treble drivers minimises unwanted reflections, while strategically placed internal bracing and layered acoustic damping ensure a rich, resonance-free sound. Each speaker is crafted as part of a mirror-imaged pair, optimising stereo imaging and creating an expansive soundstage that fills the room with clear, immersive audio.

A Balanced Natural Sound

The SUPER DENTON’s bass unit, a 6.5” cast-chassis driver, delivers deep, resonant bass down to 40Hz, outperforming typical speakers of its size. This low-frequency performance enriches bass-heavy music with fullness and depth, while also adding texture to lower-midrange frequencies, allowing instruments and vocals to resonate naturally. The 2” dome midrange driver, inspired by Wharfedale’s EVO4 project, enhances clarity and detail in the upper-midrange. It seamlessly bridges the bass unit’s tonal depth with the harmonic nuances of the higher frequencies, creating a balanced, natural sound profile that enhances both instrumental and vocal subtleties.

Precision 

The SUPER DENTON’s treble unit, a 1” soft dome derived from the Wharfedale Dovedale model, delivers clear, detailed highs, supported by a ceramic motor system and rear chamber for optimal frequency balance. This carefully engineered treble unit integrates smoothly with the midrange and bass, thanks to a refined crossover network that uses premium components to ensure distortion-free output. The design combines meticulous measurement and extensive listening tests, a hallmark of Wharfedale’s approach to audio fidelity. As a result, the SUPER DENTON brings out the finest nuances in music across all genres, offering an impressive listening experience for any setting.

Stereo 130 Integrated Amplifier Specifications

Super Denton Bookshelf Speakers Specifications