Led by its ex-BBC engineering team, the company has added new features, improved performance and flexibility, and introduced all-new casework. Now in its fourth generation, the new Pulse IV will form part of the newly re-launched Spectrum range and will make its international debut in pre-production form at High End, Munich, in May 2017.

The amplifier retains all of the original qualities that made it a favourite amongst consumers and critics alike, with the addition of contemporary touches. In readiness for the digital age, the new 2017 Pulse IV boasts a seven-input DAC that enables the amplifier as a genuine ‘digital hub’ for any system.

The DAC features a 32-bit/384kHz-DSD capable Sabre DAC with XMOS USB Type-B input, a further six digital inputs: three optical and three electrical S/PDIF, plus aptX Bluetooth, enabling a wide range of digitally connected devices to benefit from Leema’s sound.

In addition to its generous digital connectivity, the Pulse IV adds further flexibility, catering for today’s vinyl resurgence with the addition of a MM/MC phono stage taken from Leema’s award-winning standalone Essentials phono stage (£595).

The phono input joins five additional line-level inputs, making the Pulse IV highly flexible and easy to integrate into existing systems with multiple components.

A powerful 80-watt design, the Pulse IV has sufficient capacity to drive all speaker types, including those with difficult loads. In addition to its generous output power, the Pulse IV also features a front-panel-mounted headphone amplifier for late night or personal listening.

For added flexibility, the Pulse IV also features two pairs of preamp outputs enabling connection to a range of devices, including power amps and subwoofers, plus a dedicated fixed-level record output adds further versatility for archiving music. Further features include single speaker outputs and unbalanced RCA connectivity throughout.

The new model forms part of the re-introduced Spectrum range and like all Leema Acoustics’ electronics, the Pulse IV is hand-crafted in the Welshpool factory.

Specifications

• Inputs (analogue): 5x line level
• Phono input: MM/MC (taken from Essentials phono stage)
• Inputs (digital): 3x electrical S/PDIF; 3x optical S/PDIF; 1x USB Type-B 32-bit/384kHz PCM and DSD capable Sabre DAC; aptX Bluetooth
• Outputs: 2x pairs of preamp outputs; single speaker outputs; headphone output; 1x fixed- level record output
• Nominal power: 80W RMS in to 8 Ohms
• Connections: all unbalanced RCA (no XLRs)
• Weight: 11kg
• Dimensions: (WxHxD) 435x90x375mm

Price and availability

The Pulse IV will be available in early autumn priced at £2,295 and offered in black/silver