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I’m selling my Leben preamplifier; first, because of ongoing serious hearing problems, and second, to downsize. It’s a classic high-end item and rarely comes up for sale second-hand. It’s the greatest piece of gear I have ever owned and has never missed a beat; just reliably wor...
At A$5,875, this Leben RS28CX preamplifier is a strong bargain, sitting well below the 25th percentile (A$6,658) of recent AUD listings and far under its original new price of roughly A$11,000 (€6,840). The asking price is A$757 cheaper than the lowest comparable AUD listing, making it an exceptional entry point into this revered Japanese tube preamp.
The RS28CX is highly regarded for its warm, musical tube sound, featuring a dedicated RIAA phono stage with exceptional linearity (<0.3 dB deviation) and a robust 2 x 6CG7 + 2 x 12AT7 tube complement. Its separate power supply design (13.5 kg total) ensures minimal noise and deep, controlled bass. At this price, it represents a prime buying opportunity for enthusiasts seeking flagship-level tube performance without the typical premium, especially if the unit is in original-owner condition with full accessories.
Independent perspective — not a price guarantee. Always verify condition, accessories and provenance before purchase.
Leben Hi-Fi Stereo Company emerged from the vision of Taku Hyodo, a renowned Japanese tube audio engineer formerly with Luxman. After founding Kouri Denki Co. in 1979 to produce electronic components, Hyodo released his first commercial amplifier, the Triode 33 under the KFH brand, in 1991. He established Leben in 1992—drawing its name from the German word for "life," reflecting his philosophy that music is life—with the debut RS-35a power amplifier in 1995, followed by the RS-28c preamplifier in 1998.
The brand specializes exclusively in hand-built vacuum tube amplifiers, including integrated models like the celebrated CS-300 series, power amps, and preamplifiers. Crafted with point-to-point wiring, premium components, and often rare NOS tubes, Leben eschews mass production for meticulous, small-batch assembly by a skilled team. Features such as headphone outputs, bass boosters, and speaker selectors enhance versatility, while remote controls are notably absent in favor of pure analog focus.
Leben occupies a niche boutique position in the high-end hi-fi market, prized by tube enthusiasts for its musicality, reliability, and lifelike sound. Once Japan-exclusive, its global cult following has grown through limited exports, earning acclaim in audiophile circles as passion-driven masterpieces that deliver rewarding performance without compromise.
See all Leben listings on RADAR.
