Esoteric E-02 Phonostage Pre Amplifier

Esoteric E-02 Phonostage Pre Amplifier

Name: Esoteric E-02 Phonostage Pre Amplifier
Brand: Esoteric
Price: 12000.00 NZD
Availability: OutOfStock

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To meet the demands of vinyl lovers the world over, ESOTERIC has poured knowledge accumulated over many years of developing audio technology into the E-02, our newest phonostage pre amplifier. The E-02 inherits the philosophy that guided our highly acclaimed E-03 phonostage to be a continual best-seller for the last 8 years, and adds the new fully balanced transmission and amplification circuit utilizing MC cartridges to achieve a level of analog playback that was previously unimaginable.

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Specifications

Phono inputs
XLR 1 pair (exclusive for MC)
Input impedance 10, 50, 100, 200, 300, 500, 1k, 10kΩ (MC, switchable)
Input sensitivity 1mV (MC, 1kHz, at rated output)
Maximum input level 4.8mV (MC, THD 0.1%)
RCA 2 pairs (MC/MM)
Input impedance
MC 10, 50, 100, 200, 300, 500, 1k, 10kΩ (switchable)
MM 47kΩ
Input sensitivity
MC 1mV (1kHz, at reated output)
MM 20mV (1kHz, at rated output)
Maximum input level
MC 4.8mV (THD 0.1%)
MM 100mV (THD 0.1%)

Analog audio outputs (switchable)
XLR/ES-LINK Analog 1 pair
Output impedance 20Ω
Rated output level 4Vrms
RCA 1 pair
Output impedance 23.5Ω
Rated output level 2Vrms

General
Power supply
AC 230V, 50Hz
AC 120V, 60Hz
AC 220V, 60Hz
External dimensions (W×H×D) 445 × 131 × 377mm
17-⅝" × 5-¼" × 14-¼" (including protrusions)
Weight 12.5kg / 27-⅝ lb

Within the first 30 minutes of auditioning the E-02 I knew that it is a special piece of electronics.

The Absolute Sound

Fully Balanced Circuit Design

The E-02 is a fully balanced phonostage preamplifier that features fully balanced circuits from the input stage right through to the final output stage. It is perfectly designed for handling the extremely low level signals from a MC cartridge, minimize noise interference and powerfully amplify signals with low impedance to bring the very best sound out of your beloved MC cartridge collection.

Dual Mono Construction

Identical power supply transformers, power boards and amplifier circuits are mounted independently on each channel. Outstanding channel separation and robust power supply components deliver solid, powerful, and exceptionally high quality audio playback.

ES-LINK Analog Output

The E-02 is compatible with ESOTERIC's unique ES-LINK Analog current transmission in addition to regular XLR and RCA outputs. ES-LINK Analog is a current transmission method that fully utilizes the high speed and powerful capabilities of the HCLD circuit to fully maximize the potential of compatible devices.

XLR Balanced Input

The E-02 is equipped with one XLR (MC dedicated) input and two RCA inputs, with the RCA inputs also featuring fully balanced transmission throughout all stages after the input amplifier. Cartridge impedance, filter ON/OFF and MONO switch ON/OFF settings can be configured as presets for each input, and switched easily using the large dial control on the front panel.

Load impedance switching

The E-02 enables you to select between nine different impedance positions (MC: 10Ω, 50Ω, 100Ω, 200Ω, 300Ω, 500Ω, 1kΩ, 10kΩ, MM: 47kΩ).

Rigid Chassis Construction

Phonostage amplifiers that amplify extremely low signal levels are highly sensitive to vibration, which is why ESOTERIC pays special attention to chassis construction in order to control vibration wherever possible. The arrangement of each component is designed in minute detail, and a slit construction is used in the bottom chassis that supports all of the circuits to minimize interference. The highly rigid thick aluminum enclosure and proprietary pinpoint feet are extremely effective in minimizing the effects of vibration from external sources.

Within the first 30 minutes of auditioning the E-02 I knew that it is a special piece of electronics. Sure, it’s quiet. Sure, it has no trace of tonal tilt. Sure, it’s dynamic and extended. I’ve heard many phonostages jump these hurdles. What makes the Esoteric special is that it freely allows or enables the music to be. By “freely” I simply mean without penalty. We live in a world where monetary gains are taxable, and the same is true of gains in an audio system. Big-voltage amplification is usually taxed with color, compression, and/or temporal smearing. The E-02 is gain without taxation (or, at least, you can write it off this year).

The Esoteric E-02 is as serious a piece of electronic kit as I’ve ever had in my system, revealing better qualities than I’ve experienced before in terms of its powers of resolution, textural detail and finesse, impressive soundstaging, bass presence, and slam.