Esoteric Esoteric A-100 User manual

Esoteric tube technology
Finally.…….the true sound of the original master tapes!
Model A-100
3 stage tube amplifier

M a s t e r S o u n d W o r k s
Design Philosophy
Amplifier Series

Master Sound Works ("MSW") is the result of over
twenty one years' accumulation of high-end
audiophile technologies.
MSW represents a further revolution in reference
quality sound, as developed and implemented by
ESOTERIC innovation and engineering.
Master Sound Works
MSW Amplifier Series
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Master Sound Works
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…Original master tapes faithfully record each and
every piece of information within a work of music.
By faithfully extracting and reproducing such a
large amount of information, ESOTERIC generates
a feeling of realism that you have never
experienced before. Through these actions,
ESOTERIC “advances the state of the art.”
MSW Amplifier Series

Master Sound Works
M a s t e r S o u n d W o r k s
…Confidence in this belief is what motivated
ESOTERIC - a long-time developer of
magnetic tape recording - to invest a vast
amount of R&D, time and effort, all of which
culminated in MSW amplifiers.
MSW Amplifier Series

Master Sound Works
M a s t e r S o u n d W o r k s
The MSW amplifier line is a series of products that
perfectly reproduces the power and beauty
contained within traditional digital masters and
original master tapes. MSW
MSW Amplifier Series

Vacuum Tube
Stereo Power Amplifier
A-100
M a s t e r S o u n d W o r k s

M a s t e r S o u n d W o r k s

M a s t e r S o u n d W o r k s

M a s t e r S o u n d W o r k s

A-100
■KT-88 UL Push-Pull
1st stage：12AT7 (x2) Drive stage：12AU7 (x4)
Last stage：KT-88 (x4)
■DC voltage control circuit
for directly-coupled triple stages
■Unique bias technology
■Custom output transformer
(Silver coating foil for 2nd order coil)
Evolving technology.
The essence of modern tube amplification
Vacuum Tube
Stereo Power Amplifier
M a s t e r S o u n d W o r k s
Evolving the technology.
The essence of modern tube amplification

■Stabilized power supply
for amplification stage
■DC powered tube heater
■Mechanical chassis construction
■Two selectable bias modes (A/B)
A-100
Vacuum Tube
Stereo Power Amplifier
M a s t e r S o u n d W o r k s
Evolving the technology.
The essence of modern tube amplification

■Ultra high grade parts selection
■Input selector / volume attenuator
(Selectable integrated mode operation)
■Wireless remote controller
A-100
Vacuum Tube
Stereo Power Amplifier
M a s t e r S o u n d W o r k s
Evolving the technology.
The essence of modern tube amplification

M a s t e r S o u n d W o r k s
KT-88 UL Push-Pull
KT-88s are well known for their powerful
sound. The A-100 delivers highly
sophisticated musical expression from it’s
advanced circuit design - the perfect blend
of ‘power’ and ‘high sensitivity’.
KT-88s used by Esoteric are made in
Slovakia where quality is strictly controlled
in pairs. The KT-88s are then burned in for at
least one month, before final assembly into
the A-100.

The DC voltage control circuit ensures stable operation of the directly-coupled
triple stages (voltage amplification stage, cathode follower stage and output
power stage), achieving a truly involving acoustic expression.
Directly-coupled triple stages
Unique active bias circuit
The A-100 features a unique and advanced bias circuit. This circuit
compensates the bias voltage supplied to the output stage, detecting the
cathode current and the driving level, providing very high linearity and
superior performance!
A-100
Vacuum Tube
Stereo Power Amplifier
M a s t e r S o u n d W o r k s

A-100
Vacuum Tube
Stereo Power Amplifier
Stabilized power supplies
DC powered tube heater
All tubes except the KT-88 are DC heated. This design greatly contributes to
the low noise design of the A-100 （S/N ratio：greater than 98 db).
All stages except the KT-88 stage are powered by fully stabilized power
supplies. The A-100 reproduces an exceptionally deep and finely detailed
soundstage using this innovative power supply design.
M a s t e r S o u n d W o r k s

Custom output transformer
（Silver plated copper foil as the 2nd order coil）
Esoteric’s custom output transformer uses
specially treated silver plated copper foil
as the 2nd order coil. This design provides
ultra firm coupling properties between the
1st order coil, achieving highly delicate and
precise musicality.
M a s t e r S o u n d W o r k s

Mechanical
chassis construction
Power supply and output transformers are
held by an extremely rigid “H” structure
and circuit components reside in a block
configuration surrounding this mainframe
design. Implementing this massive chassis
construction helps to isolate the unit from
vibration and induced noise between
circuit components.
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Two bias modes
Two bias modes (A or B), selectable from
a back panel switch. A mode might be
selected for classical music but these
decisions are totally subjective to the user.
A mode: Slightly reduced bias current.
Slightly finer sound, enhanced
detail.
B mode: Reference setting.
M a s t e r S o u n d W o r k s

Ultra high grade parts selection
Signal loss is kept to a minimum with the
use of high grade audiophile parts.
RCA input terminal: WBT-0201
Speaker terminal: WBT-0710Cu nextgen
AC power inlet: Rhodium plated with low
temperature treatment
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