Esoteric S02 vs S03
 

Just browsing the Esoteric website and cannot seem to find the differences between the S02 and S03 amplifier.

http://www.esoteric.jp/products/cata...02x_s02_en.pdf

http://www.esoteric.jp/products/cata...3xs_s03_en.pdf

Everything seems to be the same, Power Output, Frequency Response, Signal-to-Noise Ratio, Total Harmonic Distortion, Gain, Damping, Inputs, Impedance, Power Consumption and Weight.

Only thing is the dimensions, the S02 is only very slightly larger in Depth.

What justifies the extra $$$$?

...Oh and different binding posts plus a bigger power on button.

Its not very clear on their website or materials what the differences are.

S02
http://www.esoteric.jp/products/esot...2/img/main.jpg


http://www.esoteric.jp/products/esot.../g_photo02.jpg


S03
http://www.esoteric.jp/products/esot...3/img/main.jpg


http://www.esoteric.jp/products/esot.../g_photo02.jpg

At least they mentioned it here, although not very clear at all.
https://translate.google.com/transla...3/25/2012.html

Toga

"...difference between S-02 and S-03, where a wide variety of details, it comes to. For example, the switch portion of the front panel size and system of the illumination. Input terminal and the speaker terminals..."

all for AUD$8.5k jump. I would like to believe there is more too it.

Feedback from Dealer:

The specifications are the same and the circuit designs are almost identical.

There are quite a few differences in the choice of components used. The S02 uses higher quality components throughout when compared with the S03. The S03 is considered a cut-down version of the S02 as it is the same design but using more affordable components. The binding posts and connectors on the S02 are better quality and the chassis of the S02 features a larger power button with dimmable led illumination similar to the Grandioso products.

This results in the S02 performing better than the S03. It is more musical, has greater detail and is a tonally richer sound.

Same design, same internal components, but chassis and binding posts allow it to perform better and have a better sound @ a price of 35% more :icon_thumbsdown:

Old thread but anyone ever hear the S-03? What's the current retail? Wondering if this would be a good match for my Sopras. Really nice looking piece.

S-02 = $20,700 AUD
S-03 = $13,050 AUD

...or thereabouts.

Do you know US amounts?

Multiply the above mentioned numbers by 0.79, or thereabouts.