Esoteric C-02 "The Best Value Component Of The Year" as good as new - take a look!

INCREDIBLE Sound, truly one of the top 3 State-of-the-Art Preamps

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A Preamplifier Deeply Involved in Musical Expression
Reaching the Ultimate Height in Analog Audio Technologies,
the C-02 Invites You to the New World of Sonic Impressions

The
ESOTERIC’s “Master Sound Works” series welcomes the new stereo
preamplifier, the C-02. A reference model developed to be the most
important component for creating sounds integrative for the system.
Preceded by the acclaimed "K Series", the SACD players boasting seamless
stress-free sound, the design found its culmination in the P-02 and
D-02 with their musically evolved sonics. The C-02 is now being launched
to demonstrate the ultimate height of ESOTERIC’s analog audio
technologies which produce musical expression never before experienced.

Our
new 3D optimized chassis features a five compartment double-deck
structure. Each circuit block is housed in its own compartment so as to
place them three dimensionally. This structure greatly contributes to
reducing mutual interference between circuits and provides the shortest
signal path. Thick aluminum is used for the exterior. The 5 mm-thick
steel bottom chassis is supported at four points using ESOTERIC’s
proprietary ‘Pinpoint Foot’ (patent number: JP4075477). Vibrations have
been suppressed effectively and high rigidity has been achieved.

Adding
the C-02 will provide an aesthetic integrity to the system. The front,
top and side panels along with the front corners are made of thick
aluminum. The rounded shape of the top panel and the corners, where
there are no screws at all, are inherited designs from the separate
component system of the ESOTERIC flagship line.

The dual-mono design enables the C-02 to have two sets of
power supply circuits (including two sets of power transformers) for
each of the right and left channels. This was done in order to eliminate
any mutual interference between the channels and to prevent noise being
introduced from the power line. Pure and clean amplification is the
great outcome.

A Fully-Balanced Configuration Gives an Excellent S/N Ratio

Signals are received through the fully-balanced input buffer amplifier
design for an individual input system and maintains this balanced
transmission at low impedance so that all inputs can remain free from
common mode noise. This fully-balanced configuration increases the
purity of signal transmission and provides an absolutely excellent S/N
ratio.

Block Diagram
(One Channel)
Input & Output
ESOTERIC-QVCS

ESOTERIC-QVCS (*) is a volume control system, which takes full advantage
of this unit's pure signal paths. By turning the volume knob, the gain
variable volume of all the four circuits – right and left channels,
positive and negative powers – are activated. In this way, this system
keeps audio signals independent (from right to left and from positive to
negative), so that sounds are reproduced clearly with good channel
separation and accurate phase characteristics. Furthermore, the deletion
of cabling from the audio board to the volume device radically shortens
the audio signal path and minimizes sound deterioration. As a
result,the C-02 now reproduce sounds that are perfectly suitable for the
name‘reference model.’


* QVCS: Quad Volume Control System

Low Noise Operation

The control board for the entire ESOTERIC-QVCS is physically separated
from the audio circuit and also electrically isolated using a photo
coupler. The circuit design has also taken measures to make sure that
microcomputer noise is not introduced into the audio path. This is
accomplished by disabling the microcomputer until a function is
initiated by the user.

Low Rectifier Noise, Low Impedance,High Response Power Circuit(Five Transformers)

Five different transformers are used (one for each of the five different
power sources) - the input and the output amplifiers for both the right
and the left audio paths, and the control section – combined with large
capacitors make this extremely low impedance and high response power
circuit possible. For better resolution and S/N ratio, the rectifier
circuit incorporates the parts and components a reference model
deserves. As an example, the use of SiC (silicon carbide) Schottky
barrier diodes which have higher speed and lower noise than normal
Schottky barrier diodes.

ESOTERIC-HCLD (*)
ESOTERIC's Own Output Buffer Circuit
with Fortified Current Transmission
Dramatically Enhances the Driving Performance of the Power Amplifier

ESOTERIC-HCLD (*)
ESOTERIC's Own Output Buffer Circuit with Fortified
Current Transmission Dramatically Enhances the Driving Performance of
the Power Amplifier

Looking at the subtleties of the signal transmission between
preamplifier and power amplifier, the ability of the component to
transfer current efficiency determines the overall quality of the
system. The preamplifier plays a significant role in this relationship.
Serving as a line driver, it should fully drive the power amplifier to
its maximum level to thoroughly convey music signals that can include
such a broad range of music expression, from pianissimo to fortissimo.
What is required here is high performance via high speed current
transmission.
For the purpose of attaining the ultimate performance
of the C-02 as a line driver, the output buffer amplifier circuit uses
high quality materials and has its own board separate from the input
stage. The output buffer circuit provides the high current output
performance necessary. Its slew rate, representing response speeds of
2,000 V/microsecond – is incredibly fast. Since this buffer circuit is
provided to each RCA output terminal and to the hot and cold pins of the
XLR output, the instant current supplied gets maximized. The C-02
reenacts the breathtaking reality of music whose dynamism tended to
disappear in older systems during smaller current transmissions between
the preamplifier and a power amplifier.


* HCLD: High Current-capacity Line Driver

Extraordinary Usability

• Gain per input is widely adjustable with a precision of +/-18 dB =
  0.5 dB per step. This reduces volume variations from source to source.


• Volume balance between the right and left channels is adjustable with a precision of +/-6 dB = 0.5 dB per step.


• The output phase invert function allows an output that is
  appropriate for the power amplifier used. In addition, it is possible to
  individually determine a source-specific output phase and to easily
  implement phase management for the system.


• Unbalanced output (RCA), balanced output (XLR) and RCA + XLR simultaneous output are the options.


• RCA-2 terminals are provided to switch between normal line output
  and AV through output. This function allows you to connect AV preamp to
  the C-02, sharing the same front two-channel speakers (and its dedicated
  amplification system) between music and surround movie applications.


• Source equipment names can be programmed into the system using the remote controller.


• Display dimmer, mute, auto-display-off functions are also available.

* The
installation of the board includes hardware and software updates of the
main unit, thus can only be done at our factory. Please contact your
local authorized ESOTERIC dealer for more information.

Control Knob – Great Function and Flexibility

The volume knob operates internal gain variable circuits which allows
you to choose one of five volume curve options. This flexibility allows
you to select the best operability based on the combined efficiency of a
specific power amplifier and speakers.


The control knob and the input selector are manufactured by machining a
largealuminum block. The bold but precise finishing, using NC machining
and the ergonomic rounded form provides a pleasing aesthetic appearance
along with necessary functionality.

* The volume curve options allow you to fine-tune, at low or high
volume, a smooth linear increase in volume. It enables you to choose a
curve that best suits your system.

Newly Designed 3D Optimized Chassis Structure

Our new 3D optimized chassis features a five compartment double-deck
structure. Each circuit block is housed in its own compartment so as to
place them three dimensionally. This structure greatly contributes to
reducing mutual interference between circuits and provides the shortest
signal path. Thick aluminum is used for the exterior. The 5 mm-thick
steel bottom chassis is supported at four points using ESOTERIC’s
proprietary‘Pinpoint Foot’ (patent number: JP4075477). Vibrations have
been suppressed effectively and high rigidity has been achieved.

Aesthetics and Integrity of the System
Achieved by Rounded Form

Adding the C-02 will provide an aesthetic integrity to the system. The
front,top and side panels along with the front corners are made of thick
aluminum. The rounded shape of the top panel and the corners, where
there are no screws at all, are inherited designs from the separate
component system of the ESOTERIC flagship line.