Leema Tucana II Integrated Amplifier

Leema Tucana II integrated amplifier is an updated version of the original Tucana amplifier, the first amplifier made by Leema in 2006. Tucana won many awards and established itself at the time as an excellent choice at this level. 

Tucana II is an improved version of the already excellent original and is designed to be perhaps the best specified amplifier on the market today. This is also a great amplifier for tape fans as it is one of the few modern amplifiers that has a tape loop. 

This is a dual Mono design with an upgraded PCB and power supply. Black and silver finishes are available.

Upgraded amplifier

The amplifier delivers 150 watts per channel into 8 Ohms and can drive even the most demanding of speakers. The new Tucana is a dual mono design with no less than three toroidal transformers, one for each channel as well as one for the control circuits. Finally, the resolution and fine detail are amazing, as is the clarity.

The Tucana II PCB has been upgraded, with much thicker traces. They now have twice the amount of copper than before and all of the critical capacitors have been upgraded to Nichicon Muse-Series devices. These are the best of the best. Moreover, the cables that connect the board to the speaker sockets, are now the renowned Leema reference 2. This is the best speaker cable made by Leema and has silver-plated conductors.

Remarkable connectivity

The Tucana is an analogue powerhouse with nine analogue inputs. However, be aware though as a purist amplifier that there is no built-in DAC or phono stage. This is not really a problem as there are plenty of inputs for external DACs and phono preamps. 

A nice touch is the front panel input for MP3 players. Unusually there is also a tape loop. The front panel also boasts a 3.5mm headphone socket. Additionally, the Tucana comes with a machined aluminium remote. Finally, there is also a balanced XLR input. Each of the inputs has an individual gain control.

Why a Monoblock amplifier?

As mentioned earlier the Tucana II is a monoblock amplifier. These operate like two separate amplifiers. In other words, there is not a common PCB, but two. This allows for physical as well as electrical separation. The result is less crosstalk or mutual interference. Moreover, Monoblock amplifiers have two separate power supplies one for each channel. This also reduces crosstalk and gives a better transient response. 

Transient response refers the fact that music can have sudden peaks, such as the kick of a bass drum. This puts a sudden current demand on the power supply. Having a big current reserve will stop the power output from dipping.

Why tape loops?

The Tucana II also has a tape loop, which is an almost extinct feature, that allows for the connection of a tape deck. There are many reel-to-reel and cassette fans still out there, and there has been a resurgence of interest in tape. In fact, reel-to-reel “master tapes” are issued of well known albums. 

The Tucana II’s tape loop works, by sending the signal from whatever input the amplifier is playing to the output, ready for recording. The tape input will also send whatever tape you playing to the amplifier. Finally, the tape loop was also used to connect equalizers.

Who are Leema?

Leema was founded by two BBC engineers, in 1998. The first product was the Xen micro monitor speaker. Initially intended for the professional market, the speaker was well received and eventually released to the public. In 2006 the multi-award winning Tucana I integrated amplifier was released. The Tucana II is an updated version of this iconic amplifier.

Today Leema makes a range of audiophile components at their factory in Wales.