Pilium Leonidas

Pilium Audio Leonidas integrated amplifier  Traded in and now available: a truly magnificent Pilium Audio Leonidas integrated amplifier. This recently acquired unit is in absolutely mint condition and combines the simplicity of an integrated amplifier with the uncompromising build quality and driving power of a high-quality separate pre-amp and power amp combination. The Leonidas forms part of the Divine Line from the Greek brand Pilium Audio and was developed based on a rather unusual premise: an integrated amplifier must not compromise in any way compared to separate components. The result is an impressive amplifier with a fully true dual-mono internal design. Pilium manufactures its equipment in Greece. Both channels have their own power supply and amplifier circuits. Even the mains supply is separated per channel, resulting in two separate IEC mains inputs on the rear panel. This means that the Leonidas is, in effect, constructed as two mono power amplifiers and a high-quality preamplifier within a single solid chassis. The power supply is impressive. A 1.2 kVA transformer is used per channel for the power amplifier, supplemented by separate transformers for the preamplifier sections. The power amplifiers collectively boast no less than 200,000 µF of power supply capacitance, whilst a very generous buffer is also available for the preamplifier. The power output is 200 watts per channel into 8 ohms, doubles to 400 watts into 4 ohms and rises to no less than 800 watts into 2 ohms. This means the Leonidas not only boasts plenty of power, but, above all, the current delivery and stability required to keep even the most demanding high-end loudspeakers convincingly under control. Despite these impressive figures, the Leonidas is not solely about brute force. The amplifier is, in fact, designed to combine control and authority with speed, refinement and a natural musical presentation. The very low output impedance contributes to firm control over the loudspeakers, whilst the wide frequency response and short signal paths ensure that subtle details and dynamic nuances are preserved. For connecting sources, the Leonidas features two pairs of balanced XLR inputs and three pairs of RCA inputs. Non-audio circuits and protection electronics are physically separated as much as possible from the actual signal processing. A microprocessor monitors, amongst other things, DC, temperature and the connected loudspeakers. Physically too, the Leonidas leaves little doubt as to its ambitions. The solid, CNC-machined chassis measures almost half a metre in width and depth, and the amplifier weighs no less than 100 kilograms. It is therefore an integrated amplifier in name only; in terms of construction and scale, it is more akin to a complete high-end amplifier combination housed in a single chassis. An exceptional amplifier for those who wish to combine the simplicity of a single component with the control, scale and authority of a serious separate pre-amplifier and power amplifier setup. In mint condition, updated to the 2025 variant – the latest version, in other words. Complete with original accessories and packaging.