Zesto Audio Andros Spirit Phonostage
The Andros Spirit makes vinyl feel richly alive, blending luxurious tube midrange with impressive quietness, dynamic slam, and a broad, deep soundstage. Robert H. Levi admired its neutral, punchy poise, while Dave McNair found its musical connection unusually involving. On-the-fly MC loading and exceptional all-tube value complete a seriously compelling phono stage.
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Deliciously Crispy
Sound Quality
92/100
Cartridge Compatibility
88/100
Build Quality
88/100
Value for Money
94/100
Pros
Musical yet neutral presentation with clear, punchy textures and very low perceived noise.
Luxurious, enveloping tube midrange and a strong emotional connection to vinyl playback.
Broad, deep staging and lively dynamics that remain composed on demanding material.
Excellent value for an all-tube design, with accessible MC loading options.
Cons
Image dimensionality and ultimate detail trail substantially more expensive reference phono stages.
Rear-stage images can be slightly less sharply defined than the best alternatives.
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What Reviewers Are Saying
SOUND QUALITY PERFORMANCE 92/100
Reviewers find the Andros Spirit exceptionally musical and involving, combining tube richness with notable clarity, punch, and dynamic life. It is also praised for quiet operation and broad, deep staging, although one reviewer heard less image dimensionality than with substantially more expensive reference electronics.
Transparency Noise Floor
93/100
Robert H. Levi says the Spirit surpassed his longtime reference for quietness and definition, while still delivering musical textures with clarity. Its presentation is described as neutral and clean rather than soft or murky, with no reported hum or hiss concerns.
Tonal Balance Musicality
94/100
The dominant impression is of a highly engaging, soulful tube presentation: Dave McNair heard luxurious midrange richness, enveloping musicality, and a strong connection to the performance. Levi similarly calls it unusually neutral for a tube design, with continuous bass-to-treble balance and a suave, non-edgy character.
Dynamics
92/100
McNair found the sound vivid, dynamic, crisp, and capable of genuine slam without becoming fatiguing. Levi also reports convincing realism on demanding music, saying the unit remained composed and musical rather than overloading.
Soundstage Imaging
89/100
Levi praises broad staging, substantial depth, clearly defined rear-stage instruments, and an airy three-dimensional quality. McNair likewise found good width and front-to-back information, though he heard less overall dimensionality than from his VAC and ARC reference stages.
Assessments of Build Quality, Usability, and Overall Propositions.
Cartridge Compatibility
88/100
The Spirit is available as MM-only or MM/MC, and an MM unit can be upgraded for MC use. The MM/MC version offers accessible, on-the-fly MC loading at 100, 250, and 500 ohms, making matching straightforward for many moving-coil cartridges, though the loading range is less expansive than highly adjustable specialist designs.
Build Quality
88/100
The review coverage notes that each unit is hand-built in the USA, while the product includes a substantial steel enclosure, accessible controls, and a thoughtful safety switch that disconnects the power supply when the cover is removed. Reviewers say little about long-term ownership durability, but the reported execution and tube-service safety provision are encouraging.
Value for Money
94/100
At $2,997, reviewers regard the Spirit as unusually compelling among all-tube phono stages. McNair notes that great-sounding tube amplification at this price is rare, and Levi explicitly calls it a great value for tube lovers on a budget and highly satisfying for the asking price.
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Specifications
- Versions
- Available in 2 versions MM only or MM/MC
- Upgradeability
- Standard MM unit is easily upgradeable to MM/MC
- Circuitry
- 100% Analog tube circuitry without any solid-state devices in the signal path, because tubes are inherently more musical.
- Tube Complement
- The tube complement is a quad of 12AX7s, which provides sufficient gain with minimal noise.
- Safety Feature
- Safety switch to discharge the high voltage for your added safety when changing tubes.
- Power Supply
- Robust, built-in ESP toroidal power supply for better dynamic range and lower noise.
- MC Step-up Transformers
- The high-quality built-in MC step-up transformers are designed for better phase linearity. This translates to better stereo imaging.
- Loading Positions
- Three of the most popular loading positions 100, 250 & 500 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.
- MC Loading
- All MC loading is on the secondary of the MC step-up transformer. This allows all the delicate signal from the cartridge to pass through to the main circuits for the most musical detail.
- Circuit Design
- Dual mono circuit which creates better stereo separation
- Accessibility
- All switches and knobs are easily accessible, with nothing hidden inside to adjust.
- Enclosure
- Full size 17” x 12” elegantly designed 16-gauge steel enclosure for better grounding and to help isolate the electronic “chatter” from nearby equipment.
- Illumination
- Illuminated tubes for a more sensual musical experience.
- Manufacturing
- Each unit is hand built “Made in the USA.”
- Burn-in
- 50-hour factory burn-in on all circuits and vacuum tubes.
Manufacturer's Description — Zesto Audio
One of the Few
Zesto Audio is proud to be one of the only manufacturers to offer a 100% all-tube analog phonostage at this price point. You will receive the same quality and sonic excellence that you would expect from any Zesto product, hence the name Andros Spirit.
Design Philosophy
Zesto Audio has a long history of producing award-winning Phonostages since the company launched the original Andros PS1 Phonostage in 2010. George Counnas, Founder, and Chief Design Engineer of Zesto Audio says, “I designed the Spirit so it would retain only the essential features of its predecessors, while still offering the Zesto Audio signature sound.” George admits how challenging it is to design a high-quality product that sounds good at a low price point.
Unique Safety Feature
The Spirit has a unique component called a safety switch. George says, “I was inspired by the old Telefunken Radios back in the 50s and 60s that used a safety switch to discharge the high voltage. I included this feature for your added safety when changing tubes.”
New line – New Enclosure Design
The new full-size 17″ x 12″ enclosure design represents the new Spirit line of products in development at Zesto Audio. The Spirit is made with 16-gauge steel for better grounding to help isolate the electronic “chatter” from nearby equipment. Carolyn Counnas, VP, and Industrial Designer for Zesto Audio says, “I wanted our customers to feel they had been personally invited into the inner sanctum of tube electronics, solder joints and all. I get mesmerized by the LED illuminated tubes which bring an added sensual experience to your listening pleasure.”
Robust Power Supply
(Energy Source Power Supply) We named it the ESP Supply because it anticipates the energy needs of the music. Zesto’s ESP Supply unlocks the true potential of the circuit, so it is at ease and doesn’t have to work as hard. It allows more music to flow through with more detail. It also creates a more dynamic presentation, the quiet passages are quieter, and louder passages have more punch.
Why Andros?
Andros is a Greek island and the home of George’s grandmother’s family. Andros is the name of the Zesto phonostage family.
Verified Dealers
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Authorized dealers for Zesto Audio Andros Spirit 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)
and 10 more verified dealers