Longdog Audio P6100M Biamp 2x2 (4 units)
13 lost · Anchored, Artisan, Characterful, PRaT, Reference, Romantic
Against the Anchored brief, the Longdog Audio P6100M Biamp 2x2 (4 units) keeps the slot decisively.
Leben CS300XS (Sovtek EL84)
Integrated amplifier
Relative price
typical
Among the 59 integrated amplifiers in the catalogue, this one is typical.
A band places a component against its peers and carries no price. It is deliberately the only price indicator on this page: a second one, measured against a different set, would narrow the two together far enough to give the figure away.
What it is
Leben CS300XS — Taku Hyodo's mid-tier Japanese valve integrated. 15W EL84 push-pull pentode + ECC83 driver. Hand-made point-to-point in Japan with custom-wound output transformers. Iconic retro aesthetic with gold anodised front panel + Canadian ash hardwood end caps. CS300XS = Sovtek EL84 variant (current production; "S" suffix). CS300X (Limited Edition) = NOS Mullard EL84 variant (rarer, collector-grade).
CRITICAL ELECTRICAL FIT: 15W output mandates ≥87dB-sensitive speakers; ≥90dB strongly preferred for full headroom in mid-large rooms. Reviewer pairings: Living Voice IBX 94dB, Devore O-baby/Nines/Orangutan 90-96dB, Klipsch Heritage 99dB, Klipsch RP8000F II, Neat Petite 87dB (acceptable in small rooms), Reference 3A. NOT recommended for sub-86dB modern speakers.
Headphone output: dedicated transformer tap = real headphone amp capability, not afterthought. Used widely with planar headphones (Audeze LCD-2/3, Hifiman HE-500). Toggle switch on front panel selects speakers or headphones.
Competition record
Assessed against 19 rivals across the sixty systems: it takes the slot in none of its 60 head-to-heads.
Where it gives ground
The dimension the engine names as the weakest link, counted across every head-to-head it lost.
- low-level clarity ×6
- tonal body ×4
- timing and drive ×3
Who it comes up against
NVA S80 Stereo
8 lost · Artisan, Cavity-Native, Characterful, Intimate, PRaT, Reference, Romantic, Silent Path
No completion of this shape fits that slot's budget.
Audiolab 9000P
5 lost · Anchored, Characterful, PRaT, Romantic, Silent Path
Against the Characterful brief, the Audiolab 9000P keeps the slot decisively.
Sugden ANV 50
4 lost · BBC Sound, Twin Arms
Against the Twin Arms brief, the Sugden ANV 50 keeps the slot decisively.
On its own merits the Leben CS300XS (Sovtek EL84) is the weaker integrated amplifier for that brief.
grip of iron on the musicHi-Fi+ (Frankland) 2024
Leema Hydra II
4 lost · Cavity-Native, Characterful, Romantic
Against the Cavity-Native brief, the Leema Hydra II keeps the slot decisively.
NVA S300 Stereo (Artisan)
4 lost · Artisan, Cavity-Native, Intimate, Reference
Against the Intimate brief, the NVA S300 Stereo (Artisan) keeps the slot decisively.
Icon Audio Stereo 30 SE (KT150)
3 lost · Vocals-First
Against the Vocals-First brief, the Icon Audio Stereo 30 SE (KT150) keeps the slot clearly.
With the Tom Evans Groove+ SRX MkII, the pairing gives up most on tonal body.
On its own merits the Leben CS300XS (Sovtek EL84) is the weaker integrated amplifier for that brief.
depth and sense of solidity, fullnessHi-Fi+ (Frankland) 2024
Audio Note P1 SE
3 lost · Intimate, Silent Path
Against the Silent Path brief, the Audio Note P1 SE keeps the slot decisively.
EAR Yoshino V12
3 lost · BBC Sound, Vocals-First
Against the BBC Sound brief, the EAR Yoshino V12 keeps the slot decisively.
With the Falcon LS3/5a Gold Badge, the pairing gives up most on low-level clarity.
With the Rega Aura Reference MC, the pairing gives up most on low-level clarity.
On its own merits the Leben CS300XS (Sovtek EL84) is the weaker integrated amplifier for that brief.
depth and sense of solidity, fullnessHi-Fi+ (Frankland) 2024
Exposure XM9 Biamp 2x2 (4 units)
3 lost · Artisan, PRaT, Reference
Against the Artisan brief, the Exposure XM9 Biamp 2x2 (4 units) keeps the slot decisively.
EAR Yoshino 890
2 lost · Intimate
Against the Intimate brief, the EAR Yoshino 890 keeps the slot decisively.
Chord ULTIMA 6
1 lost · Cavity-Native
Against the Cavity-Native brief, the Chord ULTIMA 6 keeps the slot decisively.
Longdog Audio P6100M (pair)
1 lost · Anchored
Against the Anchored brief, the Longdog Audio P6100M (pair) keeps the slot decisively.
Exposure 3510
1 lost · Twin Arms
Against the Twin Arms brief, the Exposure 3510 keeps the slot decisively.
On its own merits the Leben CS300XS (Sovtek EL84) is the weaker integrated amplifier for that brief.
Sugden A21 Signature
1 lost · BBC Sound
Against the BBC Sound brief, the Sugden A21 Signature keeps the slot decisively.
With the Harbeth P3ESR XD2, the pairing gives up most on low-level clarity.
With the Naim NVC TT MM/MC, the pairing gives up most on low-level clarity.
On its own merits the Leben CS300XS (Sovtek EL84) is the weaker integrated amplifier for that brief.
Rega io
1 lost · Twin Arms
Against the Twin Arms brief, the Rega io keeps the slot clearly.
On its own merits the Leben CS300XS (Sovtek EL84) is the weaker integrated amplifier for that brief.
It sits well above the share of the budget this brief aims at the integrated amplifier position.
Leak Stereo 230
1 lost · Vocals-First
Against the Vocals-First brief, the Leak Stereo 230 keeps the slot by a whisker.
On its own merits the Leben CS300XS (Sovtek EL84) is the weaker integrated amplifier for that brief.
It sits well above the share of the budget this brief aims at the integrated amplifier position.
Creek 4040A
1 lost · BBC Sound
Against the BBC Sound brief, the Creek 4040A keeps the slot clearly.
With the Falcon Q7 Complete@Home, the pairing gives up most on timing and drive.
On its own merits the Leben CS300XS (Sovtek EL84) is the weaker integrated amplifier for that brief.
It sits well above the share of the budget this brief aims at the integrated amplifier position.
grip of iron on the musicHi-Fi+ (Frankland) 2024
Quad Artera Stereo
1 lost · Silent Path
Against the Silent Path brief, the Quad Artera Stereo keeps the slot decisively.
What the reviewers said
Sovtek EL84 push-pull, classic Leben voicing Leben CS300XS + Stereophile· Harmonic texture
depth and sense of solidity, fullness Hi-Fi+ (Frankland) 2024· Tonal body
lush charm... gorgeous timbres Witchdoctor 2016· Harmonic texture
grip of iron on the music Hi-Fi+ (Frankland) 2024· Dynamic coherence
lacked... visceral impact Witchdoctor 2016· Physical impact
How it scores
Clarity
- Electrical noise floor 78 from specification
Voice
- Tonal body 76 from listening evidence
- Harmonic texture 77 from listening evidence
Bass
- Bass control 60 from specification
- Physical impact 64 from listening evidence
- Bass extension 57 from specification
LowerVolume
- Low-level noise floor 78 from specification
- Micro-dynamic resolution 72 from specification
- Tonal consistency 72 from specification
Specifications
| power 8ohm w | 15.0 |
|---|---|
| power 4ohm w | 15.0 |
| power class | AB |
| damping factor | 8.0 |
| line inputs | 3 |
| line input sensitivity mv | 600.0 |
| line input impedance kohm | 100.0 |
| has phono | False |
| phono mm | False |
| phono mc | False |
| pre out | False |
| pre power separable | none |
| internal bass management | none |
| headphone out | True |
| frequency response hz | 15/100000 |
| snr db | 85.0 |
| thd pct | 0.7 |
| dimensions mm | 360/140/270 |
| weight kg | 10.5 |
| power consumption w | 82 |
| integrated dac | False |
| digital inputs | 0 |
| notes |