Leema Essentials Phono

The circuitry inside the award-winning Essential Phono is closely based on that of the class leading Agena Reference Series Phono stage. its performance is simply astonishing at this price point; it was designed not just to compete favourably with its competitors, but to completely overshadow them, even those at 3 or 4 times the price.

The subtle musical information from the phono cartridge is handled with such delicacy that many listeners will never have experienced the levels of clarity, of dynamic accuracy, the soundstage dimensionality, and authenticity of tone and timbre that is produced – at any price.

The Essential Phonostage is switchable for use with both moving coil and moving magnet cartridges and includes a switchable low frequency filter. The low frequency filter only operates below 20 Hz to stop the by-product of warped records and turntable motor or bearing noise.

Acclaim

"Recommended"- Art Dudley, Stereophile

Declaring it "Best Buy", the-ear.net said

"If you want to add engagement and hear more of the inner detail from the groove the Essential is a class act at a competitive price."

the-ear.net Best Buy badge

Awarding it 5 Stars, the Essentials Phono Stage was Hi-Fi Choice Group winner, Janurary 2013.

"...the Essentials put in a consistently strong performance with all types of music..."

"...the Leema has a sense of timing and control that makes it easy to listen to..."

"The low noise floor and impressive microdynamics were also remarked upon..."

"Throw in the solid build the ability to handle moving coil cartridges, and you have a most worthy group winner."

What Hi-Fi? Sound & Vision: Best Phono Stage, 2011

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Features/Specification

Moving magnet gain: 36 dB

Moving coil gain: 62 dB

Frequency Response: 20 Hz to 20 kHz (+/- 0.5 dB ref > RIAA curve)

Distortion: Less than 0.02% (@ 1 kHz)

Residual noise (MM): Better than -86 dBA (input short circuit)

Residual noise (MC) | Better than -75 dBA input short circuit

Load characteristics (MM): 47 kΩ, 100 pF

Load characteristics (MC): 90 Ω, 1 nF

Input sensitivity (MM): 4 mV RMS for 250 mV RMS output

Input sensitivity (MC): 180 µV RMS for 250 mV RMS output

Headroom: Greater than +26 dB @ 1 kHz

High pass filter: -3 dB @ 20 Hz

Dimensions (wdh): 113*102*60mm

Carton: 320*160*110mm

Mass: 11Kg