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  1. OGH

    Aesthetix Io Users Group

    To me, 'she' is new every day. When we listen, there is the old familiar sound, but something new also happens. When the music shines through. The Io and the whole system shape-shifting to reproduce a different kind of recording, music, and message. On the best days. So it is not like an ex, for me.
  2. OGH

    Aesthetix Io Users Group

    Listening some more, to my DSD recordings, comparing to streaming (Qobuz), i dont doubt the superiority of my recordings - to my ears. Maybe your ears too. Allthough streaming has developed the best vinyl sound is still ahead. My point is, if you have a good phono stage working - record your...
  3. OGH

    Aesthetix Io Users Group

    I just checked with Mannfred Mann, Lone arranger, the first two tracks. Qobuz vs my recordings with the Io. In my office system. The Io wins hands down. I was surprised because sometimes the stream is nearly as good. Not this time. But then again Mann is a arranger and production expert.
  4. OGH

    Aesthetix Io Users Group

    I play my recordings of LPs, made on the Tascam DSD recorder. These, also, play well on my small pinpoint type office system. The recordings are made from my main rig, using the Io as phono stage. The benefits are clearly heard in the office system, even if I am only playing back the digital...
  5. OGH

    Aesthetix Io Users Group

    Thats right--- but then there is "this and that" in my home office, including, I must admit, very good sound in my low cost office system (with single driver speakers)...
  6. OGH

    Aesthetix Io Users Group

    I like tubes but I can get a bit of audio worry. Like, I put my system on, but it takes some hours before I actually listen. By that time it sounds great but I have wasted some tube hours also. Maybe some of you recognize this pattern. Especially with costly NOS.
  7. OGH

    Aesthetix Io Users Group

    Thanks a lot. I am actually going for a weekend in copenhagen next week...but so far, my Io is performing well.
  8. OGH

    Aesthetix Io Users Group

    @Lagonda I am happy to hear that you have repaired the Io succesfully in Denmark. I hope I can get local help too, when I need it, in Norway. I have shipped my Io twice over the Atlantic. Very expensive.
  9. OGH

    Aesthetix Io Users Group

    Oldvinyl - yes, thanks. I was just wondering, since I generally prefer balanced connections, and recently bought a balanced headphone cable that improved the sound even though the headphone OTL amp is somewhat "pseudo balanced". And also, since Io does have balanced inputs, maybe for a reason...
  10. OGH

    Aesthetix Io Users Group

    So, a balanced tonearm cable to the Io XLR inputs would not reduce groove noise?
  11. OGH

    Aesthetix Io Users Group

    Exactly. So a balanced phono cable into Io's first gain stage does not make a lot of sense. I guess. And I have not read strong opinions that it benefits the sound. It is rather "don't bother". So I use a single ended Kimber KCAG modded to accept the DIN contact in my SME arm. I tried a Hovland...
  12. OGH

    Aesthetix Io Users Group

    Fully balanced - not quite correct. I use a single ended cable from the cartridge to the Io. And the Io is not fully balanced. But the Io output is balanced, so I use XLR to the balanced preamp, and from there to the balanced amps. Works fine.
  13. OGH

    Aesthetix Io Users Group

    The Einstein preamp is very silent, the Atma-Sphere amps are quite silent, and the Io also - unless the first gain stage tubes are getting noisy. So I don't have a noise problem, in general terms. I agree, XLR works best, so this is what I use also. My system is fully balanced.
  14. OGH

    Aesthetix Io Users Group

    audioquest4life: I have my jumpers set to 62 db gain in a non volume controlled unit. I have Been using that with .34 mv output (Benz LP and LPS) and with Soundsmith Hyperion with .40 MV output and Air Tight Opus 1 with .45 mv output. Thanks - very interesting. So it seems that the eclipse with...
  15. OGH

    Aesthetix Io Users Group

    Kcin - I am all ears, and I dont doubt the outcome. I wonder if the power supply upgrade could be done for a more reasonable cost here in Europe where I live. I have the stealth caps, and fully agree, the partial eclipse upgrade was totally worth it. But did it change - so to speak - the...
  16. OGH

    Aesthetix Io Users Group

    Some years ago I had an email discussion with Glenn at Aesthetix, about SUT. I had a low output Lyra and tried it with a SUT into Io. He said, basically, forget it. I heard the same. It was money out the window. Why invest in a SUT when you already have pure tube amplification.
  17. OGH

    Aesthetix Io Users Group

    Is there a verdict, with the updated ps? Should I consider a very low output cart (like .25), or stick to more robust voltage, like .40, or (like I have now), .56? My impression over the years is the Io likes MC carts with a fairly high output. Not just due to overcome tube noise but also to get...
  18. OGH

    Aesthetix Io Users Group

    My power supplies stand on hefty granite slabs (Larvikite) at the bottom of my rack. The wood floor below the rack is supported by columns from the basement. External vibrations are not a big issue, I can jump in front of the rack with no cartridge skipping, etc. So damping to protect from...
  19. OGH

    Aesthetix Io Users Group

    I would guess - it simply means less noise. And thereby, affecting groove noise too. And tube choices. I suspect that with this upgrade, the Io might work well with the low output carts from e g Lyra, like Atlas or Etna SL versions, but I have not heard this combination. A question: is there a...
  20. OGH

    Aesthetix Io and Callisto Back to State-of-the-Art

    I have Mercury transformers, first in the original power supply ca 2002, later ca 2012 with the new power supply I bought with the P Eclipse upgrade. I dont think there has been any failure. A bit of hum, if you stand close by (from the box, not through the speakers). Not a problem from the...
  21. OGH

    Aesthetix Io and Callisto Back to State-of-the-Art

    oldvinyl - yes, much is due to the stealthcaps and the eclipse upgrade, I agree. I would like the new transformers, of course, but it will have to wait. Maybe some fixes can be made to the old ones? In my system, better rfi protection could be nice but is not a main issue. Reducing the...
  22. OGH

    Aesthetix Io Users Group

    Interesting. And even groove noise? some kind of filtering? My Einstein The tube mk2 preamp is a champion of 'silent' but not sure i like it so much.
  23. OGH

    Aesthetix Io Users Group

    This sounds very good. My Lyra Atlas is .56 and the Io is silent with the right tubes. I have been lucky to get a quad of ultra silent Telefunken in the first gain stage. Though there is some background noise, it is even lower than with the jj tubes supplied by aesthetix in 2018. Yet I am...
  24. OGH

    Aesthetix Io Users Group

    Thanks, very informative. Does "stone silent" mean that you can now run a .25 or so very low output cartridge with the Io without background noise?
  25. OGH

    Aesthetix Io Users Group

    Hi Kcin - thanks, and re your upgrade: "this is stunning". High praise. Better than the eclipse upgrade? Can you tell us more?
  26. OGH

    Aesthetix Io Users Group

    When I am at it...I did a small ringing test with my knuckles on the Io chassis (I have the original black type), and yes, it does ring. It has a lot of vents and is obviously made to allow ventilation, but it is not a champion regarding damping. I guess the new chassis is better in that respect...
  27. OGH

    Aesthetix Io Users Group

    Thank you, oldvinyl. My thinking also. Lack of ventilation means trouble, even here in relatively cold Norway. I fixed the wall-mounted pc fans I have behind the rack. Since moving the Io is difficult in my rack, I first want to test if it is OK now, with the fans. Maybe, first, a simple hand...
  28. OGH

    Aesthetix Io Users Group

    The glowing tube units are Atma-sphere MA1 amps. The unit in the right section shelf 2 is the Einstein The tube mk2 preamp, recently "rescued" from a cramped space below the Hanss T30 record player, in the central section. Now, instead, my digital source (Teac NT505) and the Hanss speed control...
  29. OGH

    Aesthetix Io Users Group

    Here is my system. The Io control unit is in the centre section, shelf 3. I consider placing it down one shelf, and place the power supply to the right of the rack, on the floor, removing the LP shelf.
  30. OGH

    Aesthetix Io Users Group

    If I do the change, the Io will have six inches of air up to the next shelf. Should be good enough. Enough to experiment with feet, also. It will stand at the bottom of the rack, on a thick stone slab, max stability. And with no warm air from a component below. So it seems a good idea. The minus...

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