External Power Supply PS-01F Enhances Preamp Performance
External Power Supply PS-01F is a high-precision upgrade component designed to significantly improve the sound quality of Esoteric’s flagship integrated amplifiers, the F-01 and F-02, by applying the same advanced power supply principles used in the Grandioso C1X preamplifier. This dedicated unit provides an independent, high-capacity power source exclusively for the preamp audio circuit, dramatically reducing mutual interference and enabling the kind of sound purity typically reserved for high-end separates.
PS-01F Isolates Preamp Power for Audiophile Clarity
PS-01F externalises the power supply for the F-01/F-02’s preamplifier section, a critical zone in any integrated amplifier where delicate signal handling is most vulnerable to distortion and electrical noise. Esoteric recognises that the preamp stage, which processes low-level signals before sending them to the high-gain power amplifier, plays a disproportionately large role in overall sound quality. With signal gain levels reaching approximately 27x in these amplifiers, even subtle improvements in the preamp section can profoundly enhance musical reproduction.
This external power supply dramatically boosts the capacitance of the preamp’s audio rectifier, while physically separating it from the high-current demands of the amplifier section. This architectural distinction results in cleaner signal paths, improved channel separation, and an impressively low noise floor—delivering nuanced microdynamics and breathtaking spatial resolution.
PS-01F Implements Grandioso-Level Power Architecture
PS-01F replicates Grandioso-level power rectification in the F-01/F-02 integrated amps by building upon the same philosophy found in the Grandioso C1X’s dual-chassis design. Internally, the original preamp in these amplifiers already benefits from a dual-mono balanced topology, with discrete power feeds for audio and logic circuits and a preamp-exclusive winding on the main 940VA EI-core transformer. However, by integrating the PS-01F, the preamp is no longer powered by this shared resource.
Instead, the PS-01F provides an isolated, high-capacity power supply engineered exclusively for the audio circuits of the preamp section. It allows the F-01/F-02 to fully express the benefits of their internal high-resolution circuitry, including the Ultra Fidelity Attenuator System, by elevating signal stability and transient response far beyond what is possible with internal supply alone.
PS-01F Adds a High-Capacity Toroidal Power Transformer
PS-01F features a 200VA toroidal-core transformer, over ten times larger than typically required for a preamp circuit, providing a dramatic increase in instantaneous current availability. This over-specification allows the power supply to effortlessly respond to dynamic shifts in music, preserving the full envelope of attack and decay in complex passages.
By combining this transformer with a significant increase in total preamp power rectification—from 18,800μF to 27,200μF per channel—the PS-01F enables the F-01 and F-02 to deliver sound with heightened dynamism, deeper black backgrounds, and precise left/right separation. Listeners will experience a more expansive soundstage and tighter, more articulate instrument imaging across all frequencies.
PS-01F Employs Advanced Anti-Vibration Design
PS-01F’s mechanical structure is purpose-built for high-end audio, ensuring that every component functions in a low-vibration, low-resonance environment. Its rigid enclosure is crafted from thick, brushed aluminium panels and includes a semi-floating top cover that eliminates the resonance issues typically associated with screw-fastened panels.
Supporting the chassis are Esoteric's patented Pinpoint Isolation Feet, a three-point mounting system that balances the unit’s mass while effectively decoupling it from rack or shelf vibrations. The feet are uniquely designed with a unified spike-and-base structure, ensuring secure contact and optimised vibration control. Each placement has been acoustically tuned through extensive listening tests.
Additionally, the laser-cut slotted bottom plate provides targeted vibration damping to the internal circuit boards, preserving sonic detail by reducing microphonic distortion.
PS-01F Includes Premium Audio-Grade DC Cable
PS-01F comes bundled with a 1.5-metre high-quality DC power cable featuring a custom die-cast aluminium connector. This cable ensures a stable, low-resistance connection between the external supply and the F-01/F-02, preserving signal integrity and supporting the ultra-low noise design philosophy of the system. Its construction supports both physical durability and electronic shielding, matching the meticulous engineering of the main power unit itself.
The combination of heavy-gauge conductors and shielding ensures that the PS-01F's clean power delivery remains uncompromised across the entire signal path, safeguarding the full dynamic range and subtle harmonic content of the music.
