New Esoteric P02 D02

Hey Zephyr, I've tried to drop you an e-mail, but I either do not know how to use the service or it won't let me, probably the former, LOL!
The C-02 has better isolation of circuits and it has two outputs both single ended and balanced. It also has 4 transformers, as the C-03x has 2 , and there is an upgrade for a phono input.
It is a great sounding preamp and I am glad I went with the Esoteric over the Ayre or the EMM. I believe in synergy between products, though I would love to hear what tubes could do to mellow the sound a bit, just to hear what it could do, overall I love the detail and speed of good Solid State.

I share your love of solid state and have found that once my (full) C-03 crossed the 500-750 hour mark that it opened up considerably and after I moved up to an Elrod Statement Gold Gen2 PC and a Elrod Gen2 Statement Gold XLR Balanced set of of interconnects I started hearing some very nice tube-like qualities in the transients, harmonics an inner detail on anything I played. I thought I was imagining things but 2 other audiophiles with very discerning hearing observed the same thing. Thanks for the explanation of the diffs on the C-02; I think that is a likely move-up target for me as are the P-02 and D-02 though I will be sad to see the ability to play DVDA go when I move away from my P-03U. I have quite a few outstanding DVDAs (mostly AIX records) and have found them to be nothing short of very impressive.... MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Thanks Colekat. I will try Wireworld as well. Esoteric 6300 is also very extended and very resolute (in its price range) and like you I am using a slightly warmer or less resolute cable with CDs.
I compared P02/D02 with Accuphase, Krell, Meitner Labs and Soulution as well.
On SACDs nothing came close. But with cds Soulution 745 had better bass, and sounded smoother and a lot more refined. Esoteric had way more resolution in the top octaves. Esoteric sounded slightly forward with holographic sound stage on the other hand Soulution was more laid back,.
I didnt like Accuphase, it was lacking ultimate bass and vocals were flat.
So when you balance the p02/d02's sound with a bit warm and laid back cable (only cd playback) you will get best of both worlds.

Pharma, That is a World Class list of auditions... Great to hear you settled on the Esoterics. They are by a wide margin King of SACD at there price point. CDs can definately sound " brittle" with highly detailed cables. I think it is partly because most CDs have production limitations, only the best production CDs sound good to begin with. Even though they can be limited in resolution compared to SACDs, well produced CDs sound great on my rig.
The Esoteric sound is right on for me. I have an X-01/D2 I set up in my theatre rig to play multi channel SACD, and that sounds terrific too! It is not the smooth, refined and expansive presentation the P-02/ D-02 delivers , but it is definately Esoteric and it is a detailed, dynamic sound. I think that is where the Esoterics really deliver is in dynamics, great contrast in loud to soft, and with good cable choices, it is easy to nail it down however I like.

Hey Zephyr, I think the C-02 sounds terrific, I haven't heard the C-03or C-03x , but I'm sure they are close in sound, and not far of in features! I got the C-02, because I got a great deal on a speaker trade-in with cash for the G-01 and C-02 together! I am glad I did. I have followed tour thread for a while and am starting to hear some of the improvements you text about as the hours build. I have around 200 hours on the C-02 and 300 on the clock. Definately opening up everytime I settle down and listen.
You have me very curious about your cable selection, what else have you tried? The Snake River Audio cables are a great deal, but I get a darker, laid back presentation with them, like I say great for CDs on the Esoterics!