Esoteric integrated amplifiers

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trollyolyoly

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Topic # 148676 26-Jun-2014 22:53

Hi all,

I'm looking at buying a class D integrated amplifier. The most striking I've come across so far are from Esoteric - The I-03, and I-05 models.

Can anyone comment on the sound? They're very pricy. No doubt the build is great, but I'm not 100% sure on their class D technology. There's not that much review material I can find on the net.

Thanks in advance!

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Reply # 1075340 27-Jun-2014 03:31

never heard them.
success with class d varies from manufacturer to manufacturer.
best try in your own system before you buy.

Dunnersfella

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Reply # 1075448 27-Jun-2014 10:29

The usual advice applies.
Listen to the amplifier, preferably on your speakers (you haven't specified what you have) in your listening room... using material you're familiar with.
If you like what you hear, happy days.
If you don't, continue searching.

Sideface

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Reply # 1075652 27-Jun-2014 16:48

Dunnersfella: The usual advice applies.
Listen to the amplifier, preferably on your speakers (you haven't specified what you have) in your listening room... using material you're familiar with.
If you like what you hear, happy days.
If you don't, continue searching.

+1
Good advice.
Would you buy a new car without a test drive?
In that price range I would expect a home trial. (perhaps with a security deposit)

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trollyolyoly

13 posts

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Reply # 1075667 27-Jun-2014 17:12

True I guess I should try a home trial.

So, my own room and speakers aside, no one has ever heard this integrated and can give their opinion on it?

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Reply # 1075687 27-Jun-2014 17:32

trollyolyoly: True I guess I should try a home trial.

So, my own room and speakers aside, no one has ever heard this integrated and can give their opinion on it?

In that price range, the only opinion that matters is your own

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richms

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Reply # 1075828 27-Jun-2014 23:02

Well I have only ever used dirt cheap class d amp modules off ebay, and they have all been fine other than a little noisy on my super sensitive PA speakers, plenty of punch in the bass despite relatively low power ratings.

But I am not into fancy systems as Imo they make modern music sound worse not better.

Richard rich.ms

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Reply # 1075889 28-Jun-2014 08:52

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richms: ...But I am not into fancy systems as Imo they make modern music sound worse not better.

You may be right - but that's because "modern music" often features electronically amplified instruments badly recorded, engineered to be played on low-end equipment or cheap earbuds.
A high-end system makes well-recorded music sound a lot more like the original performance - especially if the instruments are acoustic, not amplified.

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ilovemusic

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Reply # 1075927 28-Jun-2014 10:52

geez those esoterics are $$$$

http://soundline.co.nz/products/esoteric-i-03-integrated-amplifier-1

http://soundline.co.nz/products/esoteric-i-03-integrated-amplifier

and in typical class d fashion they have power/bandwidth/speaker load limitations.

note how rated power is into 8 ohms but frequency response is into 6 ohms.

tread carefully listener...

in this price range also listen to the top plinius and perreaux integrated amps.

lavardin, pass, naim, krell also make very good integrated amplifiers.

what components are going to be used with teh amp ?

trollyolyoly

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Reply # 1075930 28-Jun-2014 11:02

ilovemusic: geez those esoterics are $$$$

http://soundline.co.nz/products/esoteric-i-03-integrated-amplifier-1

http://soundline.co.nz/products/esoteric-i-03-integrated-amplifier

and in typical class d fashion they have power/bandwidth/speaker load limitations.

note how rated power is into 8 ohms but frequency response is into 6 ohms.

tread carefully listener...

in this price range also listen to the top plinius and perreaux integrated amps.

lavardin, pass, naim, krell also make very good integrated amplifiers.

what components are going to be used with teh amp ?

Yes it's a very expensive class D. I'm just trying to find 'the one' so I can settle on it for a bit, but that price range is getting up there with Devialet etc. Might pop down to Soundline today and try get my ears on one.

The NuForce IA-18 is looking more realistic at this stage, but there are none to audition in Wellington.

I'll be down/side grading from a Plinius SA Ref and Plinius M8. Will be keeping the Electrocompaniet DAC, and listening to music digitally.

trollyolyoly

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Reply # 1075931 28-Jun-2014 11:04

Oops sorry for the epic hyperlink. Can't get rid of it!

There was a Pass Labs Int 150 kicking about on Trademe recently. That would have been nice! (still, trying to keep it class D if possible)

ilovemusic

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Reply # 1075949 28-Jun-2014 11:32

those plinius are great amps !

going to class d to get away from the bulk, heat and huge power consumption ?

with the better class d you might not save much electricity as the better class d's do not use switched mode power supplies.

if you're going to soundline ask for charles - he's the high-end man.

also checkout the audio research dsi200 - another good class d integrated.

whatever you choose you're on your way to real audio adventures !

all the best.

trollyolyoly

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Reply # 1075958 28-Jun-2014 11:41

It's an amazing amp - Absolute liquid gold once warmed up. Yes, very bulky, hot, and power hungry. It's actually made an excellent heater in winter.

Thanks for pointing out the dsi200. I'll look into it!

Fred99

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Reply # 1076137 28-Jun-2014 17:18

richms: Well I have only ever used dirt cheap class d amp modules off ebay, and they have all been fine other than a little noisy on my super sensitive PA speakers, plenty of punch in the bass despite relatively low power ratings.

But I am not into fancy systems as Imo they make modern music sound worse not better.

For my temporary "hifi" system, I'm using a 15" class G sub set to cut off at 80Hz (this has about about 128db/m max spl down to 40 Hz - way overkill for a domestic situation, but what the hell) and a pair of active PA speakers which have class D low and class AB high. This with DSP/delay to keep tweeter/woofer in phase, active x-over with 24 dB/octave cut-off. My expectation was that this would sound pretty crude at low volume and "close field" as they say - but it actually sounds brilliant, with DR to die for. I'm just running it through a mixer sitting next to my TV. Using balanced (XLR) to connect from the mixer, at max volume there's no audible noise unless you stick your ear 30cm from one of the tops.
I'm definitely "over" hifi - with all the associated BS. As for a "best recording", there are very few indeed that I'd rate as close to perfect - but that I'd also enjoy.

ilovemusic

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Reply # 1076277 28-Jun-2014 21:15

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nice thread crap.
if you guys are finding "fancy systems" make music unlistenable you are doing it wrong.
a good system will show you deficiencies in a recording but won't beat you over the head with them.

Fred99

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Reply # 1076374 29-Jun-2014 07:52

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ilovemusic: nice thread crap.
if you guys are finding "fancy systems" make music unlistenable you are doing it wrong.
a good system will show you deficiencies in a recording but won't beat you over the head with them.

I consider this being beaten over the head. Same track from same master, different release dates, these both lossless flac from CDs:

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