'The only thing missing is zip ties': A legendary audio brand just released its first streamer, and it supports every standard under the sun

9 hours ago 9
The Leak TruStream on a shelf. (Image credit: Leak)

  • Leak unveils its first ever TruStream audio player
  • Chic walnut body hides DAC and audio streamer
  • Plenty of wired and wiresless connectors

Leak is a legacy name in the hi-fi space, having released the classic Leak Sandwich speakers as well as their 2024 reboots which looked fantastic, and now the brand has turned its attention to a new device.

The Leak TruStream has been unveiled, which is the brand's first network audio player (not including a CD player it currently sells).

It will hit shelves in April for the sum of £999 (about $1,200, AU$2,000, and the Sandwich speakers released internationally so hopefully the streamer will too).

The first thing that'll catch your eyes about the TruStream is its looks; Leak is rocking that walnut wood-clad mid-century style that have made its previous products look so classy.

But hiding under the surface, there's enough about this streamer to justify its price point and then some.

Leak-streme specs

The Leak TruStream's rear ports.

(Image credit: Leak)

A company called Silent Angel created the streaming platform itself, and its tech is designed to minimize distortion while maintaining signal.

The Leak TruStream has a built-in DAC using a Sabre chip, which allows for 32-bit/768kHz PCM playback and DSD512, and a list of supported audio file formats Leak provided includes any you'd ever want to use (and some you wouldn't; hello, MP3).

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As well has offering an internal DAC, there's also a headphone amp, for those of you who don't like to share your music. This is just one of the connection types it supports with optical, coax, XLR, RCA and 3.5mm ports, two USB-A ports for external DACs or storage devices, a USB-C port so you can hook up a computer, and dual- and Wi-Fi and ethernet connectors. The only thing missing is a load of zip ties to manage the rat-king of wires you'll have trailing out of this thing.

For wireless listeners, the device supports the Connect tripartite: Tidal, Qobuz and Spotify, as well as TuneIn and AirPlay 2. It's also Roon Ready as all good hi-fi kit is.

Need to know whether this'll fit in your cabinet? It measures 33 x 11.8 x 27.8 cm so it's not too big, and it weighs 6.5kg.


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Tom Bedford is a freelance contributor covering tech, entertainment and gaming. Beyond TechRadar, he has bylines on sites including GamesRadar, Digital Trends, WhattoWatch and BGR. From 2019 to 2022 he was on the TechRadar team as the staff writer and then deputy editor for the mobile team.

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