Description
The Apex of Vinyl Playback
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 preamplifier. 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.
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.
Super High Quality MC Head Amplifier and RIAA Amplifier
The E-02 features a newly designed fully balanced MC head amplifier and RIAA amplifier. The NF-CR type RIAA amplifier achieves outstanding RIAA characteristics of ±0.2dB together with minimum Negative Feedback, and the high voltage power supply delivers an exceptionally wide dynamic headroom.
Equipped with ESOTERIC-HCLD, ESOTERIC’s Proprietary Current-Enhancing Output Buffer Circuit
The E-02 employs the same buffer amplifier technology as our flagship Grandioso C1 preamplifier, which features a high current output capability and an exceptionally high slew rate of 2,000V/μs. Each channel is equipped with two buffer amplifiers which drive the hot and cold signals separately when the system is in XLR output mode. When switched to RCA output mode, however, the amplifiers work in parallel to maximize the output linearity. This design achieves super-fast current output, resulting in breathtaking super-dynamic sound.
| Inputs | XLR connectors | 1 pair (MC) |
| RCA connectors | 2 pairs (MC/MM) | |
| Input impedance | MC: 10,50,100,200,300,500,1k,10kΩ MM: 47kΩ |
|
| Outputs | XLR/ES-LINK Analog Connectors | 1 pair |
| RCA Connectors | 1 pair | |
| Output impedance | XLR: 20Ω RCA: 23.5Ω |
|
| Audio characteristics |
RIAA deviation (10 to 20kHz) | ±0.2dB |
| Total harmonic distortion (1kHz, MM, rated output) |
0.007% | |
| Rated output level | RCA: 2Vrms XLR: 4Vrms |
|
| Gain | RCA: MM 40dB, MC 66dB XLR: MM 46dB, MC 72dB |
|
| Input sensitivity (1kHz, rated output) |
MM 20mV, MC 1mV | |
| Maximum input level (at 0.1% distortion) |
MM 100mV, MC 4.8mV | |
| S/N ratio (Input short, rated output, IHF-A) |
MM 100dB, MC 80dB | |
| Channel separation (MM, 10kHz, IHF-A) |
<-96dB | |
| Sub-sonic filter | 17Hz -6dB/octave | |
| General | Power supply | AC 220-240V, 50/60Hz AC 120V, 60Hz AC 220V, 60Hz |
| External dimensions (W x H x D, including protrusions) |
445mm x 131mm x 377mm (17 5/8″ x 5 1/4″ x 14 1/4″) |
|
| Weight | 12.5kg (27 9/16 lb) | |
| Included accessories | Power cord x 1 Felt pads x 3 Owner’s manual x 1 Warranty card x 1 |
