Zesto Audio Andros Téssera Reference Phonostage
The Andros Téssera Reference pairs a jet-black noise floor with explosive dynamics, uncovering minute vinyl textures while preserving smooth, organic tone and razor-sharp images. Robert H. Levi found its dual-mono architecture, four-tonearm capacity and extensive gain/loading control exceptionally versatile—an ambitious tube phonostage for systems that demand scale, silence and lifelike musical flow.
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Deliciously Crispy
Sound Quality
96/100
Cartridge Compatibility
98/100
Build Quality
92/100
Value for Money
88/100
Pros
Exceptionally quiet, detailed and dynamically unconstrained presentation, with precise imaging and an expansive soundstage.
Highly flexible cartridge support: two independent channels accommodate four tonearms, with extensive MC loading, gain choices and saved settings.
Smooth, weighty and organic instrumental tone, backed by flawless fit and finish.
Cons
Its premium price makes it a substantial investment.
No 15k-ohm MM/MI loading option for cartridges that specifically require it.
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What Reviewers Are Saying
SOUND QUALITY PERFORMANCE 96/100
The review finds the Téssera Reference exceptionally revealing, natural and dynamically unconstrained, with a notably silent backdrop. Its presentation combines huge scale and precise image placement with the organic, lifelike ease the reviewer associates with top-tier vinyl playback.
Transparency Noise Floor
96/100
Levi reports a jet-black background and says noise has improved to 95 dBV below maximum output, a meaningful achievement for a high-gain tube phono stage. He also describes the presentation as extremely defined and realistic, without suggesting any veil, hum, or tube-related noise penalty.
Tonal Balance Musicality
96/100
The reviewer repeatedly praises its musical verisimilitude and mellifluous, organic character, saying records sound real through it. Instruments are described as weighty, beautiful and realistic, while horns are smooth and huge rather than sharp or mechanical.
Dynamics
96/100
Levi calls out enormous dynamic range and says the Téssera can deliver huge dynamics without homogenizing the presentation. He found that the higher-gain setting brought the best dynamics with his cartridges while retaining quiet operation.
Soundstage Imaging
95/100
Imaging is described as razor precise from front to rear, with convincingly rounded, present vocal images. With the Grado cartridge, the soundstage was said to be exceptionally broad, extending dramatically beyond the room's sidewalls.
Assessments of Build Quality, Usability, and Overall Propositions.
Cartridge Compatibility
98/100
This is unusually accommodating even among ambitious phono stages: two independent channels can serve four tonearms, each with separate MM and MC inputs and saved settings. Its broad MC loading range, three gain settings, selectable MM impedance, balanced MC input and click-free on-the-fly loading adjustments make it well suited to a very wide range of cartridges.
Build Quality
92/100
Levi describes the fit and finish as flawless and notes that each unit is hand-built in the USA. The separate power supply, transformer-balanced connections and substantial dual-chassis execution support the impression of a carefully engineered reference component, though the review offers little long-term reliability commentary.
Value for Money
88/100
At $19,900, the Téssera Reference is plainly a major investment, and Levi acknowledges that it may be considered expensive. Nevertheless, he concludes that buyers get their money's worth, citing its musical performance, four-tonearm capacity, comprehensive adjustments and setting memory.
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Specifications
- Inputs per Channel
- Two completely independent dual mono channels, A and B with LED indicator Accommodates 4 tonearms, 2 per channel Separate MM and MC inputs per channel Each channel has independent controls and all selections are saved when you switch between channels Selection switch for MC and 2 position MM 47K and MM 68K MM impedance switch 47K or 68K Ohms MM capacitance 220pf MC transformer Balanced gold plated XLR input MM and MC Single Ended RCA input, gold plated with isolated ground 4 MC ground on/off switch 12 position MC load impedance:1000, 800, 700, 500, 400, 350, 300, 250, 200, 150, 100, 50 Ohms 4 Superior quality MC Internal step up transformers 3 position MC gain switch for High, Medium & Low output cartridges Two ground binding posts
- Outputs per channel
- High quality output transformers driven by dedicated 12AU7/ECC82 output tubes True floating ground, transformer Balanced XLR gold plated outputs Single Ended gold plated RCA output, with isolated ground Impedance 600 Ohms +12V 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 Two (2) Gold pin JJ ECC82/12AU7 vacuum tubes with high quality gold pin ceramic sockets
- Power
- Dual chassis Power supply with 3 meter DC umbilical cable incorporating special RFI suppression Locking bayonet connector rated for higher voltage and higher current New ESP Supply with 3 Toroid. 1 high voltage 300V and 1 low voltage 12V low power and 1 low voltage 12V high power, housed in the external unit. Power supply dual color LED, yellow for standby and red for ON Main unit push ON/OFF front power switch illuminates a red LED on Channel A or B Power supply standby switch on the front Power supply standby power rating 0.5 Watts Power consumption 60 Watts Standard 3 pin 15A IEC power connector on power supply Voltage 110V – 120V AC 60Hz Optional factory installed 220V – 240V AC 50/60Hz
- Detailed Specifications
- 3 position Gain switch MC input 65dB, 70dB and 75dB or MM input 47dB, 51dB and 55dB Noise 95 dBV below max output level Dynamic range 116 dBV Frequency response complies with the original RIAA curve within +or- 0.5 dB RIAA curve is achieved using a passive filter 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 front “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 15″ D X 5.5″ H, Power Supply 17”W x 8”D x 5”H Weight: Main unit 27 lbs. (12.25 Kg), Power supply 18 lbs. (8.16 Kg) Shipping weight 55 lbs.(24.9 Kg), box 20″ X 20″ X 16″ 16 gauge zinc plated steel enclosure Two year limited warranty Six months warranty on Vacuum Tubes
Manufacturer's Description — Zesto Audio
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
Verified Dealers
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Authorized dealers for Zesto Audio Andros Téssera Reference 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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