C-02X Preamp
 

Has anyone had the opportunity to listen to the C-02X preamp. I'm looking to replace my Jeff Rowland Corus preamp, but I need a preamp that has HT bypass. I looked on Esoteric's website and I didn't read anything stating that the C-02X or any of their preamps offered HT bypass. Does the C-02X preamp have HT bypass and I'm just missing it?

I own one, no it does not have HT bypass.

Well esoteric is out

Not sure if this is the same thing as HT bypass but according to their website..."RCA2 terminals permit switching between normal line output and AV-through output for systems operated in both AV surround and pure two-channel modes"

Thanks so much, I'll look into it.

The C-02 offered Line 2 pass thru, which I used as bypass for my processor. The C-02X I believe has the exact same output options. I had an issue with noise when I used the pass thru, it is unshielded and very susceptible to RF.

Did you resolve the noise issue?

If anyone has heard the C-02X, how would you describe how it sounds?

I have heard it. It sounds incredible. Very transparent. Creates a huge soundstage, with texture and nuance and is dead quiet. Built like a tank.

Hi Ricjor , I owned the C-02 for about 18 months. At the time I had the D-02/P-02 with the G-01 clock. I let a friend borrow the clock, he had Ypsilon front end and I got to hear the D-02/P-02 with the Ypsilon preamp. Shortly after that I moved on from the C-02 and bought the Ypsilon Preamp. The Esoteric player with the hybrid pre sounded fantastic to me. The all Esoteric front end was a bit harsh compared to the Ypsilon combo. I could only hear it after I returned to my system and heard the D-02/P-02 with the C-02.
I always listen now, no more opinions and reviews. There's way to many combinations out there to listen too ! I do believe that amps and preamps should be the same manufacturer and same series, as for any manufacturer, I think they do some stuff better than other stuff, espiecally in super high end. There's so much money in this stuff, they all want to have a full line-up ! After having bought and moved on from so much stuff, I have found for my taste, Esoteric has been my player of choice for a long time, love the detail and dynamics ! That said, I have not found the same love in their other offerings.
And, As soon as I replaced the C-02, the noise issue with pass-thru disappeared. It pissed me off that a Preamp at $16k wound have any issues with a feature they designed and built in !

One other thing, do the Monitor speakers have Metal drivers ? My Salons have aluminum drivers and can sound brittle with the Esoteric with certain music, espiecally poorly recorded stuff, the tubes helped a lot with softening that up without loss of what I like most....

"Amps and preamps from the same manufacture." I currently have an all Jeff Rowland system: 625 S2 amplifier, Corus preamp, and Aries DAC. I'm looking at different upgrade paths, so I'm asking questions to provide me options to listen to. I always let my ears determine what I'm going to do.

+1 on this....I also own the C-02 (preceding model) and the same attributes apply to that pre-amp. With my choice of powercords and interconnects I found that I get tube-like harmonics, wonderful micro-dynamics, etc...out of this pre-amp.

The C-02X is an extraordinary performer. :ok:

That's what I understand. I'm looking at a couple options...amplifier change, preamp change, power conditioner. Looking for most impact versus dollar spent?

Ricjor, I was generalizing about the manufacturers, not suggesting to you. As for the C-02, I owned it for 18 months.... it does have pass thru capabilities and it's a good Preamp, just not as good as others I have had in my system, some for more money and some for a lot less. In value, I have heard many preamps that I liked better for a lot less money. Now that is not a generalization, that is an opinion ! Good luck on your decision !

Ricjor1... I stand corrected; Yes, the C-02X does have a home theater bypass. You would take the L and R from your prepro to RCA 2Inputs
Page 19 of the manual walks you through it. My apologies

Hi can you please comment on C-02x vs Grandioso pre in terms of sound quality?

They are both superb as I own them both. However they are in very different price points $20K vs $40K.

They are also in completely different systems; so providing a SQ comparison really isn’t possible.