All Esoteric Rig

[Masterlu]

Originally Posted by hfchoi

Yummy. It's like you just wrote the appetizer of a mouth watering menu.
Can't wait to get to the main juicy bits. Eagerly awaiting.

How would you compare the A-02 to other amps of that calibre? It doesn't seem to get much press. What would your opinion of its price/performance ratio be?

I'll be perfectly honest, I didn't know much about the A-02 prior to buying it. Sure, I heard it at shows, but we all know how misleading that can be when you get the same piece of gear in your home.

What prompted me to even create an entire Esoteric rig in the first place was how impressed I was with the K-03 and K-01. They were both just so amazing; I thought to myself, what else am I missing out on in their product line.

Likewise, I was unfamiliar with the C-03 and E-03. Now that I own an all Esoteric system I can say with certainty, they make a wonderful sounding product that exudes top notch build quality.

[Tremayne]

Ivan, I was interested in the A-02 (to partner my K-01) before your post, now even more so.
Unfortunately Esoteric have discontinued this model, along with the A-03, in Europe. I've not been able to get any information on why, or if they will be reintroduced.
Do you know, or can you find out, why these amps have been discontinued and, more importantly, when, or if, they will be re-introduced?
I would be most grateful for any information that you are able to give me.

[PaulC]

Colin,

I recently bought an Esoteric A-02 and when doing so I was told it was the last one available in Europe. My dealer did not know why they were being withdrawn from the European market but is seems rather odd as the preamps C-03X and C-02 seem to be available (at least in UK). Hopefully its a temporary thing and you will be able to try one as they are very nice indeed. I only have limited experience to make a comparison but I would say the A-02 is slightly on the warm side of neutral, has a great grip of the flow of music and produces a sound that you can listen to for hours without fatigue. I also have a K-01 although its still in its box awaiting my return from a work assignment in the Middle East (only six weeks to go!). Anyway, if you are in UK and would like to hear the A-02 and K-01 combination you would be welcome to visit me in Devon with a bunch of your favorite CDs/vinyl or ripped music files. Good luck with the A-02 hunt.

[Masterlu]

Originally Posted by Tremayne

Ivan, I was interested in the A-02 (to partner my K-01) before your post, now even more so.
Unfortunately Esoteric have discontinued this model, along with the A-03, in Europe. I've not been able to get any information on why, or if they will be reintroduced.
Do you know, or can you find out, why these amps have been discontinued and, more importantly, when, or if, they will be re-introduced?
I would be most grateful for any information that you are able to give me.

Sure, I'll make a few calls next week.

[Masterlu]

Originally Posted by PaulC

Colin,

I recently bought an Esoteric A-02 and when doing so I was told it was the last one available in Europe. My dealer did not know why they were being withdrawn from the European market but is seems rather odd as the preamps C-03X and C-02 seem to be available (at least in UK). Hopefully its a temporary thing and you will be able to try one as they are very nice indeed. I only have limited experience to make a comparison but I would say the A-02 is slightly on the warm side of neutral, has a great grip of the flow of music and produces a sound that you can listen to for hours without fatigue. I also have a K-01 although its still in its box awaiting my return from a work assignment in the Middle East (only six weeks to go!). Anyway, if you are in UK and would like to hear the A-02 and K-01 combination you would be welcome to visit me in Devon with a bunch of your favorite CDs/vinyl or ripped music files. Good luck with the A-02 hunt.

How very kind of you!

[Tremayne]

Originally Posted by PaulC

Colin,

I recently bought an Esoteric A-02 and when doing so I was told it was the last one available in Europe. My dealer did not know why they were being withdrawn from the European market but is seems rather odd as the preamps C-03X and C-02 seem to be available (at least in UK). Hopefully its a temporary thing and you will be able to try one as they are very nice indeed. I only have limited experience to make a comparison but I would say the A-02 is slightly on the warm side of neutral, has a great grip of the flow of music and produces a sound that you can listen to for hours without fatigue. I also have a K-01 although its still in its box awaiting my return from a work assignment in the Middle East (only six weeks to go!). Anyway, if you are in UK and would like to hear the A-02 and K-01 combination you would be welcome to visit me in Devon with a bunch of your favorite CDs/vinyl or ripped music files. Good luck with the A-02 hunt.

Paul,

Thanks for the information and your views on the A-02, it's all very interesting and helpful.

I would also like to thank you for your very kind offer to let me hear your Esoteric combo. I'm in the North East of England, so it would be a long drive down to Devon.
However I'm very tempted, I could very well be in touch.

Thanks again.

[Tremayne]

Originally Posted by Masterlu

Sure, I'll make a few calls next week.

Thanks Ivan, that's much appreciated.

[Masterlu]

Originally Posted by Tremayne

Ivan, I was interested in the A-02 (to partner my K-01) before your post, now even more so.
Unfortunately Esoteric have discontinued this model, along with the A-03, in Europe. I've not been able to get any information on why, or if they will be reintroduced.
Do you know, or can you find out, why these amps have been discontinued and, more importantly, when, or if, they will be re-introduced?
I would be most grateful for any information that you are able to give me.

Colin... Esoteric USA really can't give me any answers as to why the A-02 is no longer available outside of the US.

[Tremayne]

Ivan, thanks for taking the time to make the enquiry.

[Tremayne]

A possible reason for the withdrawal of the A-02 and A-03 from the European market is non-compliance with a new EU regulation (yet another one), auto switch off. I'm told that Esoteric are working on it.
My K-01 has auto switch off, but it isn't in the owner's manual, and it caught me out a couple of times before I realised why it was switching off.
It's marked as APS >, and has the same options as FLaOFF ( the time after which the display will darken after playing stops and no operation is made).
The options are 15m, 30m, 60m and off.
After setting APS > OFF, I've had no problems with the K-01 switching off.