The Absolute Sound Review: Esoteric F-03A and E-02 Integrated Amplifier
Esoteric F-03A Integrated Amplifier
Jewelry Box
Equipment report
by Robert Harley | Dec 20th, 2018
Categories: Integrated amplifiers | Products: Esoteric F-03A
Esoteric F-03A Integrated Amplifier
Esoteric’s F-03A integrated amplifier proves the audio truism that not all watts are created equal. With an output power of just 30Wpc, the F-03A isn’t anyone’s idea of a powerhouse. Yet the F-03A’s 30 watts are not only among the sweetest sounding you’ll find; they are also far more potent than those of lesser-quality amplifiers with a similar power rating. The F-03A’s sweetness is provided by its Class A operation, the potency from its robust output stage and power supply. Two amplifiers with the same power rating into 8 ohms “on paper” can have radically different real-world performances. One can sound anemic; the other can sound like an amplifier of nearly twice its rating.