Like many other industries, audio has its power couples: behind-the-scenes mover-sand-shakers who shape the trajectory of the industry and who also happen to be, well, together. Angela Cardas and Josh Meredith of Cardas Audio come to mind, as do Dave and Carol Clark of Positive Feedback, Eli and Ofra Gershman of Gershman Acoustics, Luke Manley and Bea Lam of VTL, Carl and Marilyn Marchisotto of Nola Speakers, Edwin and Gabi van der Kley-Rynveld of Siltech and Crystal Cable. George and Carolyn Counnas of Zesto Audio are a hi-fi power couple I’m especially fond of; I’m always happy to see them at shows, catch up with them on the phone, or exchange emails with them. Their sweet demeanor and good vibrations always lift my spirits.
George designs Zesto’s preamplifiers, power amplifiers, phono stages, and step-up transformers, while Carolyn, a talented fine-art painter, gives Zesto’s products their unique organic curves, which differentiate Zesto from the straight lines and square boxes that dominate the hi-fi world. But industrial design is not the only distinguishing feature of the Zesto brand. There’s also the sound of their products: resolving, neutral, quiet, with hair-raising dynamics and precise imaging. Exciting.
SPECIFICATIONS
Description Class-A, stereo, dual-mono, push-pull, tubed power amplifier. Tube complement: (4) Tung-Sol KT150; (4) gold pin JJ ECC82/12AU7. Inputs: One pair XLR (balanced, 10k ohms), one pair RCA (unbalanced, 47k ohms). Outputs: two sets five-way speaker binding posts with 4, 8, and 16 ohm taps. Output impedance: 4 ohm tap, 4.0 ohms; 8 ohm tap, 7.6 ohms; 16 ohm tap, 12.3 ohms. Maximum power: 100Wpc into 8 ohms (20dBW) (high bias), 85Wpc (19.3dBW) (medium bias), and 60Wpc (17.8dBW) (low bias). Frequency response: 20Hz–30kHz, –3dB. Input impedance: 10k ohms balanced, 47k ohms single-ended. Gain: 24dB. S/N ratio: >2mV RMS into 8 ohms, input shorted. Power consumption: 517W. Total harmonic distortion: –0.22% at 1W into 8 ohms.
Dimensions 17" (432mm) W × 10" (254mm) H × 20" (508mm) D. Weight: 64lb (29kg). Shipping weight: 80lb (36 kg).
Finish Black-anodized and brushed aluminum.
Serial number of unit reviewed 013167
Price $15,900. Approximate number of US dealers: 16. Warranty: two years, limited; 6 months 12AU7 tubes; 90 days KT150 tubes.
Manufacturer Zesto Audio, 3138 Calle Estepa, Thousand Oaks, CA 91360 USA.
Tel: (805)807-1840.
Email: carolyn@zestoaudio.com, george@zestoaudio.com.
Web: zestoaudio.com.
The Bia 200’s generosity in the nether zones gave upright bass a buttery feel but also serious and tension.
I reviewed the Zesto Leto Ultra II line preamplifier in the January 2021 issue, and I’m happy to now bring one of its big sisters, the Zesto Bia 200 Select stereo power amplifier ($15,900), to my NYC crib for examination. With any luck, the Bia 200 Select’s power tubes will provide not only fine sounds but also some extra heat to my apartment
