Tucana II, as it has been dubbed, is now joined by a revised version of the Antila CD player bearing the same suffix which is also now known as the Antila II. We reviewed the first Antila a year ago and got a very engaging and revealing result, so naturally, we were very keen to obtain the revised model.
The changes are not huge, though – obviously Leema realised that as the player was hardly broke it didn't need fixing – just a bit of refinement. What Leema has done, however, is to replace surfacemount (SMD) components with hand-matched, high- grade alternatives in 'key areas of the player.'
Interestingly, this is the second instance of this approach that we've come across in recent times. Rotel has done the same in its new 15 series, so maybe SMD isn't quite as desirable as some make it out to be? The other change to the Antila II is to the analogue output filter, which is said to introduce less noise and cross talk than its predecessor.
The most striking aspect of this player is its use of no fewer than 20 DACs, in what Leema calls its MD2 topology. This parallel arrangement of 24/192 converters is said to produce 'analogue-like midband and high frequencies' and naturally lends itself to balanced output.
HOW MANY?: This CD player uses a whopping 24 DACs to produce an 'analogue like' sound
The most obvious change to the back panel of the Tucana II amp is the addition of balanced inputs to match the player, but it's the front panel that is really different. It has gained a row of switches which can be used to adjust input gain, alter channel balance, instigate tape monitoring and mute output. There is also a mini-jack input for your MP3 player next to the mini-jack headphone output, plus a shallower volume knob.
AMP INPUTS: A decent selection of inputs can be found on the back of the Tucana II so you can hook up the rest of your kit
Under the lid, the 'Altair project' has made its mark: the input and voltage amplifier stages have been re-designed to increase slew-rate and to make it more symmetrical on positive and negative swings, the goal being improvement of detail resolution and a resulting increase in image-precision. Leema has also lowered the impedance of the output stage which effectively increases the amp's ability to control a loudspeaker.
The transistors themselves have been changed to Thermaltrack devices, which have internal thermal sensors and are better able to combat heat distortion. Finally, the PCB layout has been optimised to minimise interaction between stages. All of which has added around £500 to the price of the Tucana II, making it one of the more expensive British integrateds on the market.
TOO HOT?: Not any more. The transistors have been upgraded with thermal monitors to better combat heat distortion
The remote control has also changed to a slimmer and more attractive device that operates both player and amp – its buttons arranged in a manner that suggests it shouldn't be too easy to change input when you want to change volume, a factor which undermined its predecessor.
The only minor irritation that remains is that output level drops when the input is changed, this may be more of an issue for a reviewer, but given that input gain is now adjustable it does seem a shade Kinnock-esque insomuch as it thinks it knows what's good for you!
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