The Zesto Audio Andros Spirit Phonostage (image courtesy of Zesto Audio)
The new Zesto Audio Andros Spirit Phonostage is an inexpensive wonder. It is so precisely cut from the same cloth as the Andros II and Deluxe II, all tubes all the time, that the audiophile will forget the small differences and accept the Spirit as faithful to the music. I did, and I am picky as hell.
Zesto Audio's George Counnas at AXPONA 2023. (photograph and image processing by David W. Robinson)
The Spirit is designed by the award-winning George Counnas, Chief Designer of Zesto Audio and designer of all Zesto Audio products. His goal is to preserve the lively high definition of his expensive designs and translate them into accessible price points available to the first-time buyer.
That's easier said than done, of course.
I know he spent all of 2023 working on this design, testing every component and circuit possibility, before finally demonstrating a pre-production sample in January 2024. I heard several incarnations that sounded satisfactory by themselves, but not close enough to his more pricy designs. Finally, after testing transformers and various tube arrangements, he settled on four 12AX7 low-noise JJ tubes into gold-plated ceramic sockets. This yielded excellent gain for MM use but required another solution for MC.
A high-quality U.S.-made transformer set added to the MM setup answered the challenge and allowed his unique signature sound for MC to emerge. Months of circuit manipulation finally produced a prototype that deserves to be in the Zesto Audio line-up. I now have the production sample to compare to my references, including the Zesto Audio Andros Deluxe II and the E.A.R. 88PB Tube Phonostage. I am utilizing the Hana Umami Blue MC Cartridge with a 100-ohm load. Three loadings are available, including 100/250/500 and, of course, 47k ohms.
You can buy the Spirit for as low as $2997 for MM use only and get true Zesto Audio high performance. Later, you may return it to the factory and upgrade it currently for $1200 to full MC operation. This is a really well-made and a stylistically cool unit. A zinc-coated steel cabinet with the signature red swirl exterior highlights a real glass window with amber-lit vacuum tubes. Though premium current production tubes are provided, you must remove the metal top to tube roll. Removing it automatically switches off the high voltage tube circuit so you will not get shocked under any circumstances. I did not tube roll, knowing the tube selection was hand-picked by careful listening and refining the sound and parts count to be just right. Adding NOS tubes for a different experience is always an option.
The Spirit is very quiet in both MM and MC modes and I found that its strong gain was quite useful with my Grado Reference 3 MI Cartridge and my Hana Umami Blue MC Cartridge. You may change the loading on the fly silently. The Spirit does not invert polarity. Its gold-plated RCA connectors are of excellent quality as is the IEC power connector and on/off switch. The amber tube glow is very attractive and not too bright for low-light use. Tubes naturally glow in amber so the amber LED boost just gives you more of that very warm look.
(image courtesy of Zesto Audio)
The sound of Zesto Audio, according to George Counnas:
"(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."
"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."
Key Features
- Available in 2 versions MM only or MM/MC
- Standard MM unit is easily upgradeable to MM/MC
- 100% Analog tube circuitry without any solid-state devices in the signal path, because tubes are inherently more musical.
- The tube complement is a quad of 12AX7s, which provides sufficient gain with minimal noise.
- Safety switch to discharge the high voltage for your added safety when changing tubes.
- Robust, built-in ESP toroidal power supply for better dynamic range and lower noise.
- The high-quality built-in MC step-up transformers are designed for better phase linearity. This translates to better stereo imaging.
- Three of the most popular loading positions 100, 250, and 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.
- All MC loading is on the secondary of the MC step-up transformer. This allows all the delicate signals from the cartridge to pass through to the main circuits for the most musical detail.
- Dual mono circuit which creates better stereo separation
- All switches and knobs are easily accessible, with nothing hidden inside to adjust.
- Full size 17" x 12" elegantly designed 16-gauge steel enclosure for better grounding and to help isolate the electronic "chatter" from nearby equipment.
- Illuminated tubes for a more sensual musical experience.
- Each unit is hand built "Made in the USA."
- 50-hour factory burn-in on all circuits and vacuum tubes
Detailed Specifications
- Gain MM input 44dB
- Gain MC input 64dB
- Noise -65dBv below max output level
- Frequency response complies with the original RIAA curve within + or - 0.5 dB
- RIAA curve is achieved using a passive filter
- 1% metal film resistors throughout
- Polypropylene capacitors throughout the audio path
The audition system utilized is my near-field studio equipped with Marten Duke II Speakers on supplied Marten stands, AQ Dragon Speaker Cables, E.A.R. V12 Integrated Tube Amplifier, UITaudio Interconnects to amp, Cardas Clear Beyond Phono Cables to Spirit Phonostage, and Project Classic Wood Turntable and Carbon Arm. Power cords are Kubala-Sosna Elation and Emotion models. AC is supplied from Powerwing by audio excellence az.
The Sound
This phonostage is as neutral as any tube phonostage around. It definitively gives you that Zesto quality of an abundance of musical textures delivered with clarity and punch. Compared to my references it subtracts a bit of textural information but maintains most of the music in the grooves. It has a lovely continuousness from the bass through the highs without any disturbing lumps or bumps. It performs flawlessly with excellent broad sound staging and tons of depth. Instruments in the rear of the stage are clearly defined though with a touch of reduced definition. Its textural information is never edgy unless the cartridge VTA is too high, maintaining a very neutral, suave, and sophisticated presentation overall. Funny, a decade ago the Spirit may have been declared the state of the art. Now it is a truly great value for tube lovers on a budget.
I like the idea of only four tubes in the circuit. Less circuit means lower distortion and higher definition overall in my many years of experience. I applaud Zesto Audio for keeping the tube count down and the long-term performance and quality up (not to mention the replacement tube cost.)
LPs to Roll
Rufus Reid Presents Caelan Cardello, Caelan Cardello/Rufus Reid, ALIAM 81276, distributed by Acoustic Sounds; recorded live, minimally mic'd, and executive produced by renowned LP expert Michael Fremer. Though a digital recording in 24/96, producer Bob Ludwig turned it into a vinyl reference. With the Spirit, you are aware of deep tight double bass notes with an airy 3-D presentation. Cardello's rhythmic piano creations are incredibly real and alive. This "you are there" sound is captured beautifully and conveyed extremely well by the Spirit. If you play this LP and hear any emphasis in any frequency you need to adjust your cartridge or tweak a component. When a system is adjusted spot on and with the Spirit, there are clearly two instruments in front of you playing for your enjoyment. Best cut? My favorite is "Bolivia," cut three on side one.
Heifetz, The Lark; RCA LM-2074, reissue by Impex Records IMP-6052. The production producer for Impex is Bob Donnelly, while the disk was cut by Bernie Grundman.
With the Spirit, you experience this recording. You do not just listen to it. It is recorded in mono but I refer to it as wide mono, filling in all the space between the speakers. Heifetz was closely mic'd at his request and there is no microphone on the piano accompaniment.
However, the big surprise is the first selection on side one, Heifetz playing the Vitali Chaconne with an organ. I was not prepared for this, and I was blown away. The mellifluous organ extends to the center of the earth, while the violin floats in the foreground and thrills your musical senses. I listened to this amazing LP on my E.A.R. 88PB then on the Zesto Audio Spirit at less than half the price, and the differences were minor. The colors were a bit more intense and the weight of the organ a bit more solid with the 88PB, but all in, not just a lot of difference with the Spirit engaged. The Lark was accompanied by piano in the background and sourced from 1955. With the Spirit you will hear the violin sound was natural and very modern sounding, while the piano was recorded somewhat flat and less melodious. Nevertheless, this is one great must-own LP, and truly at home with the robust and neutral Zesto Audio Spirit for the full effect.
Verve, Getz/Gilberto, Reissue by Impex Records, IMP6041-1, cut in one-step process by Bernie Grundman, 45 RPM, two discs. I always loved this album, and am delighted with this amazing all-out effort to maximize it for playback in the home. It is so extremely musical, and the new and expensive vinyl formulation so extremely quiet, that the better the playback system, the better this LP will sound. You could say that about many LPs, but this one is a combination of "nearly" direct to disk plus a silent surface plus 45 RPM fidelity plus a 30 IPS master tape! A lot of pluses there. I will say with the Zesto Audio Spirit you hear the extreme fidelity and the delicious saxophone and vocal notes like never before. George Counnas is spot on with the Spirit design and has crafted a musical instrument in the shape of a phonostage. I can hardly wait to hear it on the cutting-edge Andros Deluxe II phonostage in my other system. For the price, the Spirit is most musically satisfying.
Sneak Preview! The Los Angeles and Orange County Audio Society in participation with Impex Records is participating in the production of both our 30th Anniversary album and the 65th Anniversary album of Ellington Indigo. It should be available in May. Produced with extreme care at 45 RPM, the uber-popular stereo 1958 Ellington effort on Columbia is a musical and sonic wonder. My test pressings, which are not necessarily indicative of the final pressings, are out of this world. The Zesto Audio Spirit is pushed to the maximum to convey the realism of this outstanding and dynamic reissue, and succeeds without blemish. The Spirit refused to overload or produce anything but beautiful music. I am also impressed by the Hana Blue in tandem with the Spirit.
This is a mighty great combination.
Summary
At about half the price of Zesto Audio's least expensive phonostage to date comes the new all-tube Zesto Audio Andros Spirit. Yielding a bit of definition and color to the more expensive models, you will not be the least disappointed at the price point. It has been a while since ARC removed the $2995 PH3 from their line, the last high-end all-tube phonostage in this price category. I owned one for years, and the Zesto Audio Andros Spirit clobbers it for quietness and definition.
George and Carolyn Counnas at AXPONA 2023 (photograph and image processing by David W. Robinson)
Now audiophiles on a budget have a choice, and I would choose the Zesto Audio Andros Spirit. It performed flawlessly in my revealing system, and weaknesses were subtractive in nature and not particularly noticeable. I should not be surprised based on Zesto's track record that they made the Spirit a reality at this low price and built it in America—but I am surprised! Congratulations to Zesto Audio for the Andros Spirit, the everyman all-tube audiophile phonostage.
My Highest recommendation.
Andros Spirit Phonostage
Retail: USD $2997 MM only; Upgrade at the factory to MC for $1200
Retail: USD $3997 MC/MM
Zesto Audio
805.807.1841
International Sales and Marketing
Carolyn Counnas
All photographs by Bob Levi, unless otherwise noted.
