Zesto Audio Andros Deluxe II Phonostage
With its inky-black background, the Andros Deluxe II draws remarkable ambient detail, vivid vocal presence and a broad, enveloping stage from vinyl. SoundStage Solo praised its resolving, low-noise window into recordings, while HiFi News found its lush, airy, detailed character especially compelling through balanced MC operation. Flexible loading and simultaneous MM/MC connectivity make this hand-built tube stage a serious analogue centerpiece.
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Deliciously Crispy
Sound Quality
94/100
Cartridge Compatibility
93/100
Build Quality
91/100
Value for Money
94/100
Pros
Exceptionally low noise floor and high resolution reveal ambient cues, decay and fine low-level detail.
Dynamic, spacious presentation combines fast transients with full, articulate bass and convincing vocal realism.
Extensive cartridge flexibility, including adjustable MC loading, gain options, balanced connections and simultaneous MM/MC use.
Cons
Rear-panel controls can be awkward to access when experimenting with loading, gain and grounding settings.
Its wide, forward and highly revealing presentation can make image placement less precise and exposes flaws in poor recordings.
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What Reviewers Are Saying
SOUND QUALITY PERFORMANCE 94/100
The Andros Deluxe II is repeatedly described as exceptionally resolving, quiet, spacious, and musically engaging. Its presentation combines tube richness and strong tonal color with excellent transient life, though one reviewer found it slightly polite and another noted that its very wide stage trades a little image precision.
Transparency Noise Floor
95/100
Reviewers consistently praise the exceptionally low noise floor, with descriptions including “super-quiet,” “blacker backgrounds,” and tape-like silence without hiss. SoundStage Solo found that this quietness made it easier to hear deeply into recordings and place performers within the stage, while HiFi News praised its low-level detail and transparency.
Tonal Balance Musicality
94/100
The sound is described as organic, richly musical, and highly expressive rather than sterile or analytical. HiFi News heard a slightly sweet top end, extra richness in the bass, and a lush, warm midband; The Absolute Sound found excellent extension and detail, with only a slight lower-treble emphasis and a mildly forward upper midrange.
Dynamics
94/100
Dynamics are a clear strength: The Absolute Sound called them superb, and HiFi News highlighted fast attacks, convincing transient stops, and near-breathless speed. Positive Feedback also reported quieter quiet passages and greater punch on loud ones, while SoundStage Solo heard unusually convincing attack and physical truth from percussion.
Soundstage Imaging
93/100
The stage is notably open, enveloping, and airy, with strong depth and convincing spatial realism around voices and percussion. The Absolute Sound heard one of the broadest stages in its system, although it also found that the exceptional width came with slightly less sharply defined instrument placement; other reviewers praised the Andros's image depth, realism, and ability to reveal performers' positions.
Assessments of Build Quality, Usability, and Overall Propositions.
Cartridge Compatibility
93/100
This is an unusually flexible MM/MC design, able to accommodate an MM source and an MC source simultaneously for two turntables or tonearms. MC loading is selectable on the fly across a broad range from 50 to 1000 ohms, with low/high gain, separate RCA and XLR MC inputs, balanced output, and independently switchable grounding to address system-specific hum.
Build Quality
91/100
Reviewers note hand-built US construction, a 50-hour factory burn-in, durable recessed gold-plated connectors, and a carefully executed external presentation. The high-quality, shielded MC transformers, dedicated output transformers, and independent ground controls also reflect serious attention to noise management and practical system setup.
Value for Money
94/100
At $7,500 to $8,300, it is plainly a premium purchase, but the reviews repeatedly argue that its performance competes with considerably more expensive phono stages. SoundStage Solo called it very competitively priced and potentially a bargain, while Positive Feedback described it as high-value and heard performance beyond its price class.
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Specifications
- Key Features
- The high quality built in MC step-up transformers are designed for better phase linearity. They are also large enough to accommodate all the extra windings and the Mu-metal shielding that reduces noise. This translates to better stereo imaging. Independent ground switches affect both the MC-XLR and the MC-RCA inputs and reduce or eliminate hum by breaking those pesky ground loops. Balanced transformers reduce noise in two ways, by providing a true differential signal and allowing the ground to float, making the noise level very low. The MM-RCA connectors are always grounded to reduce noise from your cartridge. The dedicated output transformers are driven by the 12DW7 output tubes providing an accurate balanced signal to your preamp. The output RCA connectors have a floating ground and the XLR are grounded to reduce ground loops. The tube compliment is a pair of gold pin, high gain, low noise 12AX7’s and a pair of gold pin, high current, low noise 12DW7’s. Dual mono circuit which creates better stereo separation. A low Noise level of -80 dBv below maximum output allows the quietest passages of you music to be heard. 10 position MC load 1000, 800, 700, 600, 500, 400, 300, 200, 100, 50 Ohms so you can dial in the best match for your cartridge. Easily adjustable MC “Load on the fly” without clicks or pops so you can hear the change. The gain switch applies to both MC and MM inputs, to better match your cartridges. 100% Analog tube circuitry without any solid state devices in the signal path, because tubes are inherently more musical. All the RCA and XLR connectors are Gold plated for better conductance and lower corrosion. Recessed RCA connectors are durable and will hold up to the typical Audiophile who loves to change their configuration. All switches and knobs are easily accessible, nothing hidden inside to adjust. Each unit is hand built “Made in the USA” 50 hour factory burn in on all circuits and vacuum tubes Elegantly designed 16 gauge steel enclosure to help isolate the electronic “chatter” from nearby equipment
Manufacturer's Description — Zesto Audio
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.
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Authorized dealers for Zesto Audio Andros Deluxe II Phonostage
- A/V Solutions — in-store — Pleasanton, California, United States (website)
- Absolute Audio - Canada — in-store — Calgary, Alberta, Canada (website)
- Altitudo Audio — online and in-store — Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada (website)
- Audio Gallery — online and in-store — Las Rozas de Madrid, Comunidad de Madrid, Spain (website)
- Audio Philosophy — in-store — Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States (website)
- BELHIFI — online and in-store — Meise, Vlaams Gewest, Belgium (website)
- Choice Audio — online and in-store — White Bear Lake, Minnesota, United States (website)
- Deep Dive Audio — in-store — Palm Bay, Florida, United States (website)
- East End Hi-Fi — online and in-store — Brookhaven, New York, United States (website)
- Editors Choice HiFi — in-store — Paola, Kansas, United States (website)
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