ESOTERIC, a division of TEAC America, Inc., manufacturer of high end consumer electronics, is shipping their first pre-amplifier for the U.S. market. The C-03 audiophile pre-amp is a dual mono design driven with custom power supplies and an opto-coupled L + R volume control. The C-03 input stage, output stage, and power supplies, are completely isolated providing an exceptionally quiet soundstage.
The input stage of the C-03 features a high quality discrete buffer circuit. The output stage features a fully discrete output buffer circuit driven by high power voltage (+/- 38V), providing maximum clarity and very high linearity.
The C-03 features a high quality, digitally-controlled, analog volume IC for each channel. The volume control, channel balance control, and gain compensation between each input source, are aggregated to this IC. There is no equalizer, record out circuit or other control circuit existing within the signal path.
The C-03 has 5 line level inputs (RCA x3, XLR x2). During line level operation, unused inputs are disconnected from the circuit. This eliminates electrical noise generated by having unused inputs active. Based on variations in system requirements, an XLR phase invert function (input only), is included. There are 2, RCA output lines for bi-amp configuration and 1, XLR output. The C-03 allows 3 user selectable output modes; RCA, XLR or RCA/XLR. Line 3 RCA inputs can be used as a “pass through” for home theater applications. This pass through allows both 2 channel audiophile operation and a connection path for surround sound processors.
The inner chassis of the C-03 is enclosed by a thick steel compartment, equipped with separate chambers for ultimate rigidity, isolation against vibration and enhanced resonance control. The inner chassis is covered by thick aluminum panels supported by a 5 mm thick steel bottom chassis including three pinpoint isolation feet made of quenched steel (Patent pending). The high mass design (49.6 lbs) provides a highly rigid, stable, low noise, and non-resonant chassis.
The highest grade audiophile components were selected for the C-03. Extensive listening tests were conducted for parts selection based on component neutrality and variations in “acoustic texture.” High quality WIMA capacitors are used for the main circuit board and high purity 6N (99.9999%), and 8N (99.999999), copper are used for critical internal wiring. Esoteric demonstrated the new pre-amp at CEDIA 2008. The C-03 (MSRP $10,000), is available now through Esoteric’s dealer network of audio video specialists. For more information please see: www.teac.com/esoteric/C-03.html
About TEAC ESOTERIC Company
Esoteric has been delivering the finest audio video components to the most discerning users for over 20 years. All components used in building the VRDS-NEO (Vibration Free Rigid Disc Clamping System), VOSP (Vertically Aligned Optical Stability Platform), D/A converters, master clocks, SACD/CD players, universal disc players and other electronics; are hand-selected, matched, and graded, to combine into a single, synergistic component. In the USA, Esoteric products are distributed by TEAC America. The TEAC Corporation of Japan is Esoteric parent company and was established in 1953.
About TEAC America, Inc.
TEAC America, Inc., the largest subsidiary of the Japanese electronics maker TEAC, distributes high grade audio video electronics, consumer electronics, computer data recording and storage devices, computer peripherals and professional recording equipment. Products are marketed by TEAC America under the brand names ESOTERIC, TEAC and TASCAM. TEAC America, Inc. was established in 1967. To learn more about ESOTERIC technology, please visit: www.teac.com/esoteric/
