State of the Art Tube Designs for Music Lovers!

Design Philosophy

The Andros Deluxe Phonostage is created from taking the very best attributes from both the Andros 1.2 Phonostage and the Andros Tessera Phonostage while maintaining its own unique sonic personality. We wanted the same footprint as the Andros 1.2 and many of the internal features of the Tessera.

What’s Unique?

A unique feature of the Andros Deluxe is the use of the 12DW7 tubes in the output circuit. The 12DW7 tube is half a 12AX7 and half a 12AU7. We use the 12AU7 half to drive the output transformers because it is high current and low noise, thus allowing for the most frequently requested feature, a true floating ground balanced output.

It’s Quiet, Really!

The extensive grounding scheme, the circuit design and steel enclosure all play a significant role in the noise reduction of the phonostage, so you can hear the quietest passages in your music.

Circuit Topology

The heart of the design is the new main circuit incorporating the same large beefy MC step-up transformers as the Tèssera, as well as an entirely new output circuit to drive the balanced output transformers. The Andros Deluxe is built with a passion for Analog, designed with 100% tube circuitry and no solid state devices anywhere in the signal path.

Why Andros?

Andros is a Greek island and the home of George’s grandmother’s family. Andros is now the name of the Zesto phonostage family.

 

 

Technical

Inputs

• Two inputs, one MM and one MC
• MM Single Ended RCA input
• MM impedance 47K Ohms
• MM capacitance 220pf
• MC transformer Balanced XLR input
• MC transformer Single Ended RCA input. Only one MC input can be used at a time
• 2 independent MC ground lift switches
• All input connectors are gold plated
• 10 position MC load impedance:1000, 800, 700, 600, 500, 400, 300, 200, 100, 50 Ohms
• 2 Superior quality MC Internal step up transformers
• 2 position gain switch for High & Low output cartridges
• One ground binding post

Outputs per channel

• High quality output transformers driven by dedicated 12DW7/ECC832 output tubes
• True floating ground, transformer Balanced XLR gold plated outputs
• Single Ended gold plated RCA output, with isolated ground
• Impedance 150 Ohms
• +9 V max output level

Active Components

• Two (2) Gold pin JJ ECC83S/12AX7 vacuum tubes with high quality gold pin ceramic sockets
• Two (2)  JJ ECC832/12DW7 vacuum tubes with high quality gold pin ceramic sockets

Power

• Newly designed internal power supplies using Toroidal transformers, 1 high voltage 300V and 1 low voltage 12V
• Power on red LED
• ON/OFF switch on left side of unit
• Power consumption 30 Watts
• Standard 3 pin 15A IEC power connector
• Voltage 100 to 120V AC 60Hz
• Optional factory installed 220V to 240V AC 50/60Hz

Detailed Specifications

• 2 position Gain switch
• Gain MC input 63 dB and 68 dB
• Gain MM input 45 dB and 50 dB
• Noise – 90 dBv 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
• No negative feedback
• 1% metal film resisters throughout
• Polypropylene capacitors throughout the audio path
• All analog tube circuitry with no solid state devices in the signal path

Other Features

• Controls on the rear
• “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 main chassis 17″ W X 12″ D X 5″ H (43cm X 30.4cm X 12.7cm)
• Weight 21 lbs (9.53 Kg)
• Shipping weight 24 lbs (10.89 Kg), box 21″ X 21″ X 11″ (53cm X 53cm X 28cm)
• 16 gauge zinc plated steel enclosure
• Two year limited warranty
• Six months warranty on Vacuum Tubes