Esoteric P-02

Esoteric's P-02 SACD/CD transport and D-02 system DAC aim at the highest level of audio performance that is only possible using separate audio components, based on the company's evolving product design concepts.

P-02 and D-02 have incorporated a number of new technologies including "ES-LINK3" and "35-bit D/A processing". P-02 and D-02 are new design implementations from Esoteric totally dedicated to evolving the critical listening experience for music enthusiasts.

The P-02 and D-02 implement a new inter-component transmission protocol, ESOTERIC's original transmission format "ES-LINK3" that can operate at a maximum 48-bit/176.4kHz broadband PCM digital transmission using two XLR cables. These models also support "Dual AES 8Fs" standard (maximum 24-bit/352.8kHz). These models can also perform conventional Direct Stream Digital (DSD) transmission and direct DSD-to-analog conversion processing for Super Audio CD (SACD) playback.

A total of eight (8) independent ESOTERIC toroidal core power supply units are installed in the combined system to supply clean and stable power to each circuit. The chassis has our multiple layer structure that is partitioned into 5 sections. Each circuit block is assembled in a dedicated compartment and placed three-dimensionally, in order to minimize interference between circuits and to achieve the shortest signal paths. The exterior is constructed with aluminum and a 5mm gauge steel bottom chassis, supported at four points with Esoteric pinpoint feet (patent No. 4075477). This four-point system effectively suppresses vibration, reduces resonance and assures extremely high rigidity.

The P-02 is equipped with the Esoteric-original VRDS-NEO "VMK-3.5-20S" transport mechanism. This mechanism enhances readout accuracy by using a high-precision turntable which corrects the 'wobbling effect' of the disc during rotation. The disc tray loader is equipped with a shutter mechanism to further reduce resonance and airborne particles from entering the transport.

Spindle servo driver circuit "VS-DD"

The P-02 has adopted a discrete amplifier circuit called "VS-DD' (VRDS Spindle Discrete Driver)" for driving the spindle motor. A dedicated toroidal core power supply unit stabilizes power current to the motor, achieving both a very smooth spindle rotation and highly precise servo control. Thanks to this isolated motor design, digital audio circuits are free from noise and from power supply fluctuation potentially caused by high current motor operation.

The P-02 transport is equipped with output terminals of three types and five channels (XLR x 2, coaxial x 1, iLINK 4p/6p x 1 each), including an ES-LINK3 compliant dual XLR terminal for user connections to a wide range of external equipment.