93%
Zesto Audio Andros Téssera Reference Phonostage
Key Features For A Quieter and More Musical Phonostage
Musical Features
- Completely new 100% tube analog circuit design with optimized components.
- Dynamic range increased from 108dBV to 116dBV, so the quietest parts are quieter, louder parts are louder.
- Loading on the secondary of the MC transformer to capture the most detail from the cartridge.
- 12 position MC load per channel with more finessed adjustable options like 1000, 800, 700, 500, 400, 350, 300, 250, 200, 150, 100, 50 Ohms
- Two completely independent dual mono channels, with LED indicators for A and B
- Gain is improved up to 7dB, which increases the output volume to better match your cartridge to your system.
- The voltage increases from 250V to 300V for more headroom.
- The power increases from 52W to 60W to provide more energy needed to reproduce the highs and lows of music accurately.
- The amps increase from 3.4 A to 8 A to provide more current to the tubes.
- Maximum output improved from 8V RMS to 12V RMS increases the headroom to allow more musical peaks like trumpet and drums.
Quieter Features
- New 12DW7 tubes improves the amplification to better drive the output tubes which gives you lower noise, more headroom and lower distortion.
- Dual chassis external power supply
- New Toroid design ESP Supply replaces the linear regulated power supply which generates significantly less noise by concentrating the magnetic fields.
- The dark black noise levels went from -90dB to -95dB.
- New PCB layout with significantly more grounding for lower noise.
- Dual chassis with 3-meter RFI filtered umbilical cable to eliminate external noise.
- Dedicated output tubes driving high quality output transformers to create a true differential low impedance output for lower noise and ideal transfer of power to the preamp.
- True floating ground, transformer balanced XLR inputs and outputs
- New grounding throughout to further reduce the internal and external noise.
- Switching on relays so there’s no digital chatter.
- Easily adjustable MC “Load on the fly” without klicks or pops so you can hear the change
- Elegantly designed 16-gauge steel enclosure to help isolate the electronic “chatter” from nearby equipment
- Ground lift switches on the MC inputs on each channel to prevent noisy ground loops
- All the RCA and XLR connectors are Gold plated for better conductance and lower corrosion
Other Features
- Accommodates 4 tonearms, 1 MM and 1 MC per channel
- All settings are saved when you switch between channels
- More energy efficient Standby power that reduces the drain from 7w to 0.5W.
- All switches and knobs are easily accessible, nothing hidden inside to adjust
- Recessed RCA connectors are durable and will hold up to the typical Audiophile who loves to change their configuration
- Each unit is hand built “Made in the USA”
- 50-hour factory burn in on all circuits and vacuum tubes before final testing
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Zesto Audio Andros Téssera Reference Phonostage
The Andros Téssera Reference redefines high-end phono performance with an emphasis on headroom and ultra-low noise. Reviewer Robert H. Levi for Positive Feedback highlights the unit's 116 dBV dynamic range and a substantially lowered noise floor (around -95 dBV), producing dramatic, uncompressed transients against a near‑silent background. Sonically it delivers deep, authoritative bass, weighty and detailed midrange, and smooth, well‑controlled treble, with precise, expansive imaging across both MC and MM cartridges. Feature-wise the dual-mono architecture, four-tonearm capability, 12-position MC loading, transformer-balanced outputs and an external toroidal power supply underpin its measured transparency, dynamics and cartridge compatibility. Meticulous hand-built construction, gold-plated connectors and a full burn-in complete a reference-grade package for serious vinyl enthusiasts.
Pros
- Extremely low noise and high transparency enabled by the revised power supply and circuit, yielding a very quiet background.
- Exceptional dynamic range and headroom (improved to 116 dBV) that preserves macro- and micro-dynamics without compressing transients.
- Unmatched cartridge and tonearm flexibility — dual independent channels, four tonearm support, 12-step MC loading and on‑the‑fly adjustments.
- High-end build and engineering: hand-built US chassis, dual external power supply with toroids, gold-plated connectors and careful component selection.
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Cons
- Very high price positioning, which places it squarely in the specialist reference market rather than mainstream ownership.
- Reviewer notes a minor missing MM/MI loading option (no 15 kΩ MM/MI setting) that some niche cartridges might benefit from.
Transparency
94/100
Reviewer explicitly praises an improved noise floor (from -90 dBV to -95 dBV) and describes the background as 'jet black quiet' and 'dark black noise levels,' indicating very low audible noise. The spec sheet supports excellent RIAA accuracy (±0.5 dB) and a passive RIAA filter, reinforcing accurate, low-noise reproduction. Given the tube topology, this level of measured and described quietness is notable and justifies a top-tier transparency score.
Sound Quality
93/100
The reviewer highlights a significantly increased dynamic range (from 108 dBV to 116 dBV) and describes the unit as 'capable of huge dynamics without homogenizing the soundstage.' Those specific measurements and listening impressions indicate excellent preservation of micro- and macro-dynamics, earning a very high dynamics score.
Cartridge Compatibility
94/100
Extremely flexible: separate MM and MC inputs per channel, 12-position MC loading (1000 down to 50 ohms), MM 47k/68k with 220 pF capacitance, three-position MC gain and on-the-fly loading adjustments without clicks. The ability to accommodate four tonearms (two per channel) and memory for settings makes this effectively full-featured for MM and MC users, justifying an exceptional compatibility score.
Build Quality
92/100
Reviewer states the 'fit and finish are flawless,' and the product is hand-built in the USA with a substantial dual-chassis design and external toroidal-powered supply, all indicating high craftsmanship and good shielding/power-supply design. The heavy-duty construction, gold-plated connectors, and careful component choices support a high build-quality rating.
Value for Money
90/100
At a listed price near $19,900 the unit is expensive, but the reviewer explicitly says it 'delivers the musical goods' and that 'you get your monies worth,' endorsing its value within its high-end segment. The combination of rare features (quad tonearm support, extensive loading, transformer outputs) and top-tier performance leads to a justified premium-value rating rather than a bargain classification.
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