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  1. #1
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    Esoteric E-02 Phonostage Review

    Esoteric E-02 Phono Preamplifier | 10 Audio


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
    My Systems: http://www.audioshark.org/showthread...481#post158481

    "We can hear everything we measure, but we can't measure everything we hear. Let your ears be your guide."

    Dealer for: Aqua Hi-Fi, Aurender, AudioQuest Cables & Power Products, Berkeley Audio, Block Audio (distributor), Boulder Amplifiers, Bowers & Wilkins (B&W), Bryston, Clarisys Audio Loudspeakers (distributor), Classe’ Audio, Degritter Record Cleaning Machines, Esoteric, Finite Elemente, FirstWatt, Focal Loudspeakers and Headphones, GigaFoil, Harbeth Loudspeakers, Hegel, HiFi Man, Innuos, ISO Acoustics, Keces Power Supplies, Kharma Loudspeakers and Electronics, Kuzma Turntables, Lumin, Luxman, Magico Loudspeakers, MBL Speakers & Electronics, MSB Technologies, MySonicLabs Phono Cartridges, Nordost Cables, Ortofon, Pass Labs, Quadraspire, Rega Turntables and Electronics, Shunyata Research, STAX, Stein Music Products, Stillpoints, Soulution, VAC, Vicoustics, Viva Audio, VPI Industries, WireWorld Cables.

    https://suncoastaudio.com/
    Phone: 941-932-0282
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Suncoast-Au...1105178279194/

  2. #2
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    Re: Esoteric E-02 Phonostage Review

    I liked my time with the E-03 and would like to hear the E-02. Pity Jerry has not heard the E-03.

    You cannot use the RCA and XLR outputs simultaneously, which is a pity. It's a great way to have your phono stage have slightly different sounds by using different cables, then switch inputs whenever you want.

    Reading the manual, it looks like you need to adjust the loading each time you change inputs - that is plain dum. The E-03 had two separate inputs that kept their impedance settings

    Like all Esoteric gear, it looks great.
    Source: Technics SP10mk3 - Thales Simplicity II, TW Raven AC-3 - Graham Phantom, SME 3012-R, Exclusive P3,,Linn LP12 - Naim ARO
    Cartridges: Lyra Atlas Lambda SL, Lyra Etna SL, Lyra Delos, Dynavector XV-1s,Technics EPC100mk4, Ortofon A90, GM Royal, GM Classic, Denon ESC'd 103R, DL-S1, Audio Technica AT25, OC9II, Linn ESC'd Troika
    Phono Stage: Phasemation EA-1200, Accuphase C-37,TW Acustik phono
    EQ: ​DEQX HDP-4
    Preamp: D'Agostino HD, conrad johnson GAT,
    Amps: conrad johnson teflon premier 8a's, D'Agostino Momentum S250
    Speakers: Wilson Maxx3

  3. #3
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    Re: Esoteric E-02 Phonostage Review

    seems like a typical 'audiophile' review, he's impressed with the weight of the piece but unless I missed it he doesn't mention the S/N ratio ?
    Cheers ! …. Dave

  4. #4
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    Re: Esoteric E-02 Phonostage Review

    Quote Originally Posted by Mikado463 View Post
    seems like a typical 'audiophile' review, he's impressed with the weight of the piece but unless I missed it he doesn't mention the S/N ratio ?
    Some people buy their audio by the pound.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
    My Systems: http://www.audioshark.org/showthread...481#post158481

    "We can hear everything we measure, but we can't measure everything we hear. Let your ears be your guide."

    Dealer for: Aqua Hi-Fi, Aurender, AudioQuest Cables & Power Products, Berkeley Audio, Block Audio (distributor), Boulder Amplifiers, Bowers & Wilkins (B&W), Bryston, Clarisys Audio Loudspeakers (distributor), Classe’ Audio, Degritter Record Cleaning Machines, Esoteric, Finite Elemente, FirstWatt, Focal Loudspeakers and Headphones, GigaFoil, Harbeth Loudspeakers, Hegel, HiFi Man, Innuos, ISO Acoustics, Keces Power Supplies, Kharma Loudspeakers and Electronics, Kuzma Turntables, Lumin, Luxman, Magico Loudspeakers, MBL Speakers & Electronics, MSB Technologies, MySonicLabs Phono Cartridges, Nordost Cables, Ortofon, Pass Labs, Quadraspire, Rega Turntables and Electronics, Shunyata Research, STAX, Stein Music Products, Stillpoints, Soulution, VAC, Vicoustics, Viva Audio, VPI Industries, WireWorld Cables.

    https://suncoastaudio.com/
    Phone: 941-932-0282
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Suncoast-Au...1105178279194/

  5. #5
    Senior Member
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    Re: Esoteric E-02 Phonostage Review

    Quote Originally Posted by Mike View Post
    Some people buy their audio by the pound.
    when buying a gun safe I would agree !
    Cheers ! …. Dave

  6. #6
    Senior Member
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    Re: Esoteric E-02 Phonostage Review

    Quote Originally Posted by Mikado463 View Post
    seems like a typical 'audiophile' review, he's impressed with the weight of the piece but unless I missed it he doesn't mention the S/N ratio ?
    is he talking about the "weight" of the music or the weight of the actual device? I haven't read the review.
    Jim

    D'Agostino Momentum M-400's MxV’s & HD Pre-amp
    Wilson Alexandria X2 Series 2 speakers
    Digital: dCS Vivaldi APEX DAC, Clock & Upsampler
    Analog: SME 20/3 with Esoteric E-03 Phono
    Transparent Opus Speaker Cable & Interconnects & Opus Power Cords
    Power Cords on Digital: Shunyata
    Power Conditioner - Shunyata Everest

  7. #7
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    Re: Esoteric E-02 Phonostage Review

    Quote Originally Posted by still-one View Post
    is he talking about the "weight" of the music or the weight of the actual device? I haven't read the review.
    physical weight of the unit
    Cheers ! …. Dave

  8. #8
    Senior Member
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    Re: Esoteric E-02 Phonostage Review

    Quote Originally Posted by XV-1 View Post
    I liked my time with the E-03 and would like to hear the E-02. Pity Jerry has not heard the E-03.

    You cannot use the RCA and XLR outputs simultaneously, which is a pity. It's a great way to have your phono stage have slightly different sounds by using different cables, then switch inputs whenever you want.

    Reading the manual, it looks like you need to adjust the loading each time you change inputs - that is plain dum. The E-03 had two separate inputs that kept their impedance settings

    Like all Esoteric gear, it looks great.
    I saw an E-02 at one of the local dealers so had a quick play with the inputs. Good news is that each of the 3 inputs keeps whatever impedance setting you have set before switching. Good news.
    Source: Technics SP10mk3 - Thales Simplicity II, TW Raven AC-3 - Graham Phantom, SME 3012-R, Exclusive P3,,Linn LP12 - Naim ARO
    Cartridges: Lyra Atlas Lambda SL, Lyra Etna SL, Lyra Delos, Dynavector XV-1s,Technics EPC100mk4, Ortofon A90, GM Royal, GM Classic, Denon ESC'd 103R, DL-S1, Audio Technica AT25, OC9II, Linn ESC'd Troika
    Phono Stage: Phasemation EA-1200, Accuphase C-37,TW Acustik phono
    EQ: ​DEQX HDP-4
    Preamp: D'Agostino HD, conrad johnson GAT,
    Amps: conrad johnson teflon premier 8a's, D'Agostino Momentum S250
    Speakers: Wilson Maxx3

  9. #9

    Re: Esoteric E-02 Phonostage Review

    Quote Originally Posted by Mike View Post
    Some people buy their audio by the pound.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
    They sure do, and they are incessant in constantly reminding people about how much their gear weighs.
    Micro Seiki SX-8000 air bearing table, SME 312s arm, SME 3012R arn, Dynavector XV-1s cartridge, Lyra Etna SL cartridge, ARC Ref 3 phono stage, Otari MX-55 2 track R2R, Ampex 350 tape repros, Roon Nucleus Plus music server, HiFi Rose 150B DAC, ARC Ref 6, ARC Ref 75 with KT-150s, Parasound JC5 amp , JBL 4345 speakers, Viero Equilibro Level 3 speaker cables, and Definitive Technology Ref subs.

    Reviewer for Positive Feedback

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Esoteric E-02 Phonostage Review

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