L'Esoteric F-01 is l 'Class A integrated amplifier F Series: delivers 30 W per channel into 8 ohms in pure class A and 60 W into 4 ohms. The power stage follows the setting of the class A stereo power amplifier. Great S1X, while the pre section derives from the preamplifier Great C1X. The whole circuit is dual balanced mono, in a 32,2kg frame designed as a separate component system.
Volume is handled by the Ultra Fidelity Attenuator System with the proprietary UFA-1792 module : a switched resistor attenuator with 1.120 0,1 dB steps, powered by a high voltage to improve dynamics and signal-to-noise ratio. The preamp has its own transformer winding and rectifier board, with custom Grandioso capacitors in parallel and a separate logic and audio power supply. Inputs are switched by FET switches instead of relays, the logic is isolated with optocouplers, and the CPU shuts down when not in use. The three-band balanced tone control (63 Hz, 630 Hz, and 14 kHz, ±12 dB in 0,5 dB steps) is memorized for each input and can be bypassed.
What advantage does class A give in an integrated amplifier? The final stage always works in conduction, with a Push-pull three-pair parallel bipolar transistor per channel, compensation of fase Single-pole, coil-free output, and minimal feedback to preserve the harmonics that give instruments their timbre. The thermal compensation circuit is optimized to quickly stabilize the quiescent current after power-up. The power supply uses a transformer. EI 940 VA without casing, straightening dual mono and four custom 10.000 µF capacitors per channel; 105 µm traces, 1 mm OFC bars and MOSFET switches on the outputs bring the damping factor at 500.
For vinyl there is one MM/MC phono stage dual mono with separate power supplies for the two channels (47 kohm in MM, 100 ohm in MC).balanced headphone amplifier dual mono has a 4-pole XLR output and a 6,3 mm jack, delivers up to 600 mW per channel into 32 ohms in balanced and has adjustable gain from 0 to +18 dB in 3 dB steps.
The three XLR inputs are switchable to ES-Link Analog , Esoteric’s mains connection for K and N series sources; the XLR and ES-Link Analog pre-outputs can be used to add a Class A S-05 series power amplifier for multi-amplification. The pre-amp section can be enhanced with the PS-01F external power supply , and the optional slot accepts the OP-DAC1 DAC card or the OP-ESLA1 ES-Link Analog card. There’s also an AV through output, RS-232C, triggering, and the RC-1339 aluminum remote control, which is also valid for Esoteric SACD and network players.
