State of the Art Tube Designs for Music Lovers!
Andros Spirit Phonostage
Price MM version USD $2997.
Price MC version USD $3997.
Shipping, taxes, and customs are additional.
Click Image to Enlarge
Downloadable Press Release
One of the Few
Zesto Audio is proud to be one of the only manufacturers to offer a 100% all-tube analog phonostage at this price point. You will receive the same quality and sonic excellence that you would expect from any Zesto product, hence the name Andros Spirit.
Design Philosophy
Zesto Audio has a long history of producing award-winning Phonostages since the company launched the original Andros PS1 Phonostage in 2010. George Counnas, Founder, and Chief Design Engineer of Zesto Audio says, “I designed the Spirit so it would retain only the essential features of its predecessors, while still offering the Zesto Audio signature sound.” George admits how challenging it is to design a high-quality product that sounds good at a low price point.
Unique Safety Feature
The Spirit has a unique component called a safety switch. George says, “I was inspired by the old Telefunken Radios back in the 50s and 60s that used a safety switch to discharge the high voltage. I included this feature for your added safety when changing tubes.”
New line – New Enclosure Design
The new full-size 17″ x 12″ enclosure design represents the new Spirit line of products in development at Zesto Audio. The Spirit is made with 16-gauge steel for better grounding to help isolate the electronic “chatter” from nearby equipment. Carolyn Counnas, VP, and Industrial Designer for Zesto Audio says, “I wanted our customers to feel they had been personally invited into the inner sanctum of tube electronics, solder joints and all. I get mesmerized by the LED illuminated tubes which bring an added sensual experience to your listening pleasure.”
Robust Power Supply
(Energy Source Power Supply) We named it the ESP Supply because it anticipates the energy needs of the music. Zesto’s ESP Supply unlocks the true potential of the circuit, so it is at ease and doesn’t have to work as hard. It allows more music to flow through with more detail. It also creates a more dynamic presentation, the quiet passages are quieter, and louder passages have more punch.
Why Andros?
Andros is a Greek island and the home of George’s grandmother’s family. Andros is the name of the Zesto phonostage family.
Key Features
- Available in 2 versions MM only or MM/MC
- Standard MM unit is easily upgradeable to MM/MC
- 100% Analog tube circuitry without any solid-state devices in the signal path, because tubes are inherently more musical.
- The tube complement is a quad of 12AX7s, which provides sufficient gain with minimal noise.
- Safety switch to discharge the high voltage for your added safety when changing tubes.
- Robust, built-in ESP toroidal power supply for better dynamic range and lower noise.
- The high-quality built-in MC step-up transformers are designed for better phase linearity. This translates to better stereo imaging.
- Three of the most popular loading positions 100, 250 & 500 so you can dial in the best match for your cartridge. Easily adjustable MC “Load on the fly” without clicks or pops so you can hear the change.
- All MC loading is on the secondary of the MC step-up transformer. This allows all the delicate signal from the cartridge to pass through to the main circuits for the most musical detail.
- Dual mono circuit which creates better stereo separation
- All switches and knobs are easily accessible, with nothing hidden inside to adjust.
- Full size 17″ x 12″ elegantly designed 16-gauge steel enclosure for better grounding and to help isolate the electronic “chatter” from nearby equipment.
- Illuminated tubes for a more sensual musical experience.
- Each unit is hand built “Made in the USA.”
- 50-hour factory burn-in on all circuits and vacuum tubes.
Specifications:
Inputs per channel
- One input for MM or MC
- MM/MC switch
- MM impedance switch 47K Ohms
- MM capacitance 200pf
- MC single-ended RCA input
- 3 position MC load impedance adjustable 500, 250, 100 Ohms
- MC Internal step-up transformers
- Ground binding post
Outputs per channel
- Impedance 10K ohms
- +7 Volts max output level
Active Components
- Four standard JJ ECC83S/12AX7 vacuum tubes with high-quality gold pin ceramic sockets
Power
- Internal power supplies using Toroidal transformers, 1 high voltage 300V, and 1 low voltage 12V
- Power consumption 26.5W, 0 drain when off
- Voltage 100V to 120V AC 60Hz
- Optional factory installed 220V to 240V AC 50/60Hz
- Standard 3-pin 10 Amp IEC power connector
- ON/OFF power switch located on the IEC mains power connector
- 0.5 Amp Slow Blow fuse is located in the IEC mains power connector
Detailed Specifications
- Gain MM input 44dB
- Gain MC input 64dB
- Noise – 65dBv below max output level
- Frequency response complies with the original RIAA curve within + or- 0.5 dB
- RIAA curve is achieved using a passive filter
- 1% metal film resistors throughout
- Polypropylene capacitors throughout the audio path
Other Features
- “Made in the USA” using US and imported parts
- Each unit is built by hand
- 50-hour factory burn-in on all circuits and vacuum tubes
- Dimensions 17″ W X 12″ D X 3.5″ H
- Weight 14.5 lbs.
- 16 gauge zinc plated steel enclosure
- Two-year limited warranty
- Six months warranty on Vacuum Tubes
Zesto Audio Andros Spirit Phonostage World Premier Review
Positive Feedback Online – 03-22-2024 – By Robert H. Levi – Issue 132
“Congratulations to Zesto Audio for the Andros Spirit, the everyman all-tube audiophile phonostage.
My Highest recommendation.”