Product Description
ESOTERIC A-02 POWER AMPLIFIER – (TRADE IN/CONSIGNMENT STOCK, 1 ONLY!)
This unit is on consignment. In pristine condition, comes complete with original user manual and all packaging and triple boxes. Full dual mono design, battleship grade build quality, made in Japan, this power amplifier will not disappoint. A bargain at this price.
A true stereo power amplifier infused with technology and know-how perfected in professional studios: The A-02
The passion of the moment music is created is passed from the recording site to the listening room. In that, you the listener share a musical experience with the creators. It is a bridge to just such a euphoria that Esoteric entrusted this new model of power amplifier to provide. The A-02 stereo power amplifier is infused with know-how gained from professional studio devices based on the unique Master Sound Works concept. We pursued sound quality befitting original master recording playback through collaboration with studio engineers as an extension
of design ideas of the highly esteemed A-03. Moreover, we adopted technologies and innovative measures to improve speaker driving power expected in professional applications. Lavish application of high-level craftsmanship was made with a focus on the sound desired by artists and engineers. That way, music enthusiasts can be treated to the creators’ commitment to music without any loss of scale and quality.
A power amplifier that emits high-quality output is the source for reproducing a musical experience featuring beautiful resonance swelling within the reverberation of crashing waves and vitality. Esoteric’s A-02 stereo power amplifier continuously balances maximum drive power and natural timbre regardless of the size and efficiency of loudspeaker selection. This way, the A-02 can portray in full the dynamism and delicacy inscribed in the original master recordings.
The MSW class AB power amplifier blocks are the culmination of Esoteric amplifier design technology that pursues master recording sound playback. The A-02 employs such blocks in a dual mono architecture where they are mounted independently by channel. Sound quality approaching that of monaural power amplifiers is thus achieved in a stereo amplifier size. * MSW=Master Sound Works
Carefully selected bipolar transistor devices boasting a withstanding voltage of up to 230V are employed, with each device able to supply 17 amps for continuous operation and 34amps for instantaneous operation. LAPT* devices featuring excellent high-frequency characteristics and that create powerful yet fine timbre are mounted in a 5-parallel push-pull configuration for each channel to support rated output of 200W+200W at 8Ω or 400W+400W at 4Ω in class AB operation. These devices help to achieve both high power to drive all kinds of speakers to their fullest with excellent power linearity. * LAPT=Linear Amplified Power Transistor
The drive stage of the A-02 is a simple two-stage amplification drive. By keeping the signal path as short as possible, stability is increased for natural and highly dynamic sound quality with miniscule amount of any negative feedback.
Broad dynamic range and playback with an overwhelming feel of power spice up separate amplifiers. The A-02 has highly efficient high-capacity toroidal transformers for excellent sound quality mounted on power supplies that make up the core of a power amplifier. Through this design, the amplifier can powerfully evoke music in its entirety.
Power from the drive stage supplies to speakers often fluctuates sharply. To prevent that from adversely affecting operation, a voltage amplification stage receiving weak signals from the preamplifier (stage before drive stage), is mounted with special toroidal power source transformers and power circuits independent from the drive stage. With this implementation, a very stable power supply to the previous stage is secured, increasing the fine expressive power and resolution of each instrument even in the climax of a full orchestral performance.
A powerful damping factor of 1,000 is achieved with miniscule negative feedback by combining high-performance bipolar transistors with a short signal path two-stage amplification design. Precise and powerful driving force in the drive stage gives easy damping even with large diameter woofers to provide low frequency playback with excellent transient properties and an abundant feel of speed. The beautifully taut low frequency range makes music even more open and dynamic.
Output of 800W can be gained with an 8Ω load if using the A-02 as a monaural power amplifier in BTL mode. This option enables an even more magnificent sound system to be built.
Securing signal clarity and minimizing transmission loss maximizes pure amplifier performance. Rigorously selected components are used to satisfy to the greatest extent possible such requirements for power amplifiers. Highly reliable XLR input terminals that boast contact performance and Esoteric’s original RCA input terminals are just some of those implementations. WBT nextgen WBT-0710Cu speaker terminals are also employed. These conductor cores utilize pure copper with gold plating to achieve high conductivity and low resistance. Moreover, the A-02 employs high-grade components such as electrolytic capacitors and transistors with excellent high frequency characteristics achieved through property examination and repeated trial listening.
Internal circuit components are separated into dedicated inner compartments for each circuit, partitioned by 2 mm steel walls. The bottom chassis utilizes 5 mm thick steel for additional isolation that prevents interference between circuits and minimizes the adverse effects of resonance caused by internal and external vibration. The extremely robust inner chassis is composed of a 20 mm thick aluminum front panel and 5 mm thick top. It is also supported at four points on Esoteric-original pinpoint feet. These and other measures help to keep the housing highly rigid and resonance-free. What’s more, an approx. 41.5 kg weight speaks volumes for the rigidity of the A-02.
A design idea that shows off high-end aspirations through and through comes into being in a simple body form. That form incorporates structural beauty, featuring bold design with delicate shadowing as well as black alumite-processed large heat sinks symmetrically located on the left and right sides of the housing. A sense of unity with Esoteric’s high-end lineup is also projected, bringing about unrivaled presence when putting together an audio system.
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SoundStage HiFi review – Reviewed by Howard Kneller