United Kingdom

LEAK, a brand with deep roots in the history of audio innovation, was established by Harold Joseph Leak in 1934 in London, England. Known for its high-quality audio components, LEAK carved out a reputation for affordability combined with high performance, a hallmark that defined the brand for decades.

Harold Leak, identifying himself as a 'Sound Engineer – Technician,' alongside Ted Ashley, who became Chief Engineer, propelled LEAK to the forefront of the home audio equipment market. Together, they led the company through an era of significant technological advancements in amplifiers, loudspeakers, pickups, and turntables.

The mid-20th century was a transformative period for LEAK, as the brand navigated the challenges of wartime disruption to focus on developing purposeful audio technology. Post-war, the emphasis shifted towards high-fidelity systems, marking LEAK's entry into an era of low-noise, high-performance products that gained international acclaim.

A pivotal moment came in 1945 with the introduction of the LEAK Type 15 amplifier, which featured innovative 'negative feedback' and 'push-pull' triode connected KT66 valves, achieving an impressive 15 watts output. This product laid the groundwork for the brand's reputation in high-fidelity sound reproduction.

The late 1940s and 1950s saw LEAK introducing groundbreaking products like the TL/12, which became a standard for high-fidelity sound, and embarking on marketing campaigns that directly compared live versus reproduced music, showcasing the superior quality of LEAK systems. These efforts culminated in LEAK's products being adopted by prestigious institutions like the BBC.

Innovation continued with the introduction of the LEAK Sandwich loudspeaker in 1961, a design that utilized a novel approach to reduce vibrations and resonance, leading to more dynamic audio reproduction. This period also saw the development of the LEAK Stereo 30, a transition to transistor amplifiers that offered a more accessible price point to a broader audience.

Despite its innovations and contributions to the audio industry, LEAK faced challenges from global competition and changing market dynamics, eventually leading to the brand's acquisition by the Rank Organization in 1969 and a gradual fade from the forefront of the audio market.

After years of dormancy, LEAK was revived by the IAG Group, bringing the brand back to the market with a focus on blending classic styling with modern audio technology, ensuring LEAK's legacy continues for new generations of audiophiles.

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Leak

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The LEAK CDT represents a landmark in the domain of high-fidelity audio, marking a significant first in LEAK's history by facilitating CD and digital media playback for audio enthusiasts. This player is celebrated for its exceptional standard of sound reproduction from CDs, setting a new benchmark within its price range. Moreover, it incorporates functionality for USB storage device playback, broadening its utility and appeal.

A standout feature of the LEAK CDT is its ultra-smooth slot-loading mechanism, which signifies the product's overall quality and reliability. The device houses the CD transport in an electromagnetically shielded enclosure, with a dedicated power supply enhancing its operational integrity. Precision in digital signal extraction is achieved through the use of a temperature-compensated crystal oscillator controlling the digital clock. This ensures that the audio output, whether through coaxial or optical sockets, has minimal digital distortion, resulting in a remarkably precise reproduction.

The CDT's compatibility with FAT16 and FAT32 formatted USB devices and its support for various media formats, including WMA, MP3, WAV, and AAC, attest to its versatility. This functionality is complemented by comprehensive transport controls and intuitive folder/file navigation features. Designed with LEAK's hallmark ethos of performance, reliability, and craftsmanship, the LEAK CDT meets the modern audio enthusiast's needs while embodying the classic LEAK aesthetic. The machine's meticulously controlled master clock, courtesy of a temperature-compensated crystal oscillator, minimizes digital distortion or 'jitter', thereby enhancing audio performance. This commitment to shielding the CD mechanism from electrical interference further underscores the LEAK CDT's commitment to delivering a pure, high-quality audio experience.

CDT

by Leak

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