Aesthetix Io Users Group
- Thread starter audioquest4life
- Start date
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.
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 recording, without the Io in the active playback chain.
I tried a "torture test" right now. Vanilla Fudge, early albums. Huge dynamic variation, some recording overload. A known problem case. But yes, the Io recordings from vinyl sound better than what I hear from streaming.
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 recording, without the Io in the active playback chain.
I tried a "torture test" right now. Vanilla Fudge, early albums. Huge dynamic variation, some recording overload. A known problem case. But yes, the Io recordings from vinyl sound better than what I hear from streaming.
I just switched out my Io for a short stint of SS phono stage use. I have an Ayre P5xe as a previous stage. I find with juggling family and work it has been difficult to find time for the Io turn on, warm up ritual. With the Ayre its always ready to go. Not sure how long the experiment will last.
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.
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 best albums.
Wow ! I am in love again. It's like hooking up with an old girlfriend or ex wife, familiar but also new and exciting 
We have been at it 9 hours today, the Io and i. I can't remember the last time i wanted to do it that long ! She handles everything i can trow at her with dignity, grace and agility and still sounds sexy and commanding. Leonard Cohen, The Dubliners, Sparks, ZZ Top, Earl Scruggs, The Notting Hillbillies, Springsteen and Emmylou sweet Emmylou Harris, that voice just draws me in like a Siren. Playing balanced out without preamp today, a little less drive in the bass, but quite a bit more transparency, tons of details, layering of bass and drum lines without losing the intonation of voices and tone of instruments. Lets see how long she can go before disappointing me and breaking down again !
We have been at it 9 hours today, the Io and i. I can't remember the last time i wanted to do it that long ! She handles everything i can trow at her with dignity, grace and agility and still sounds sexy and commanding. Leonard Cohen, The Dubliners, Sparks, ZZ Top, Earl Scruggs, The Notting Hillbillies, Springsteen and Emmylou sweet Emmylou Harris, that voice just draws me in like a Siren. Playing balanced out without preamp today, a little less drive in the bass, but quite a bit more transparency, tons of details, layering of bass and drum lines without losing the intonation of voices and tone of instruments. Lets see how long she can go before disappointing me and breaking down again !
Gotta love love… hope this is a lasting stint Milan, it’s bad when they tease you.Wow ! I am in love again. It's like hooking up with an old girlfriend or ex wife, familiar but also new and exciting
Wow ! I am in love again. It's like hooking up with an old girlfriend or ex wife, familiar but also new and exciting
It sound like you had a ‘ Particular ‘ dream last night Milan , might I suggest that you abstain from the Stilton and Port just before retiring to bed ;0}
Last edited:
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.
It took just under 2 month with about 10 hours of playing time a week before she broke down and disappointed me again my schizophrenic Io Eclipse !Wow ! I am in love again. It's like hooking up with an old girlfriend or ex wife, familiar but also new and exciting
Drove 300 km to drop her of for repair yesterday and realized afterwards i had left the umbilical cords on the floor at home. Another trip tonight when i am done listening to music. I have realized i prefer the bass with my solid state riaa amplifying the VDH, i had returned to using my SS preamp with the Io already, just better drive and bass. I will try more tube swapping and loading when i get the Io back, maybe adjusting speaker crossover with Io in the chain will do the trick, it was previously adjusted with SS riaa.
Last edited:
A quick question for members who have good understanding to the circuit of the Io. I have 2 matched pairs of Tele 12ax7 for the V1 and V2 positions in the Io, but the 2 pairs have slight different in Mu (gain) from each other. I am under the impression that a matched pair should go to V1 left and V1 right, and the second pair go to V2 left and V2 right. Is that correct? Thanks !
Correct, match the tube position in each channel. V1 left should match V1 right.
Bummer.It took just under 2 month with about 10 hours of playing time a week before she broke down and disappointed me again my schizophrenic Io Eclipse !
I hope you can determine underlying causes, whether Io or power or …
You can always buy two. Of the hope that at least one remains healthy. until the other is repaired. with the money you spent on repairs we got a beautiful Allnic. another two years of repairs and you can buy a Solution phono
Last edited:
Similar threads
