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  1. oldvinyl

    The new audiophile vinyl series The Original Source from Deutsche Grammophon (AAA)

    Well in some cases - getting our money again. I purchased some of these LPs when they were originally released.
  2. oldvinyl

    Aesthetix Io Users Group

    HRS Aesthetix uses Nimbus couplers from HRS in place of the feet for the Eclipse version. I prefer these or something like christensenleif mentioned over springs, cones or ceramic devices. My impression is that the fancy footers help, but it is not a huge difference in my system. That’s also...
  3. oldvinyl

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

    Agreed - for such a great upgrade, there is no description. I only learned about it when I called in to ask about a repair to a failed IEC socket. Jim and Glenn let me know that new capacitors and transformers were available for the power supply. My power supplies were due for replacement of...
  4. oldvinyl

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

    Just to clarify - many audio companies used transformers made by another company. Mercury Magnetics was/is a reputable and popular brand. Purchasing transformers for power supplies and output coupling would be a make/buy decision. In the quantities of high-end audio, it often makes sense to buy...
  5. oldvinyl

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

    Found it: Aesthetix transformer winding
  6. oldvinyl

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

    The old transformers were Mercury Magnetics, which had a great reputation. Not much to fail in a transformer - any more info on these malfunctions? My Io is 25+ years old. No transformer issues in my Io, but that’s a sample size of one. There seems to be more info on their Facebook page about...
  7. oldvinyl

    Aesthetix Io Users Group

    I honestly don't know what would give the impression of less groove noise, but it sounds that way. Maybe other folks with the latest power supply mods can weigh in on whether they notice any reduction of groove noise. All I can say is that the Io is eerily quiet for 1) vinyl and 2) beaucoup...
  8. oldvinyl

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

    OGH - it is probably not practical to modify the old transformers. From talking with Aesthetix, the new transformers have new cores and are wound in house with additional shielding applied. The Eclipse updates, the new coupling caps, the new transformers, the new power supply caps will all...
  9. oldvinyl

    Aesthetix Io Users Group

    I agree - the new transformers and power supply capacitors leave barely a trace of tube rush. Also interesting is that they give the impression of reducing groove noise. The Io is just quiet quiet quiet with these updated power supplies.
  10. oldvinyl

    Aesthetix Io Users Group

    I too use the Walker Validpoints on top of the power supplies and the phono stage; 3 on each. Not really sure how much effect they have given the build of the HRS rack.
  11. oldvinyl

    New Dedicated Listening Room

    When I had a dedicated theater room in a house (years back), I used R-channel (resilient channel) for the drywall to decrease transmission of sound to other parts of the house. One effect of R-channel is that the sheet rock will flex and absorb (reduce) bass. The walls were insulated with rock...
  12. oldvinyl

    Aesthetix Io Users Group

    The optimal solution depends on ambient temperature and air flow. High heat really stresses electronics and decreases their usable life. If the bottom of the shelf above any of the pieces with tubes are warm within 30 - 60 minutes, then it needs either more space, better circulation (fan), or...
  13. oldvinyl

    Aesthetix Io Users Group

    That is possible, but highly unlikely. The input to the power supplies are designed to accommodate the common voltage/frequency of the incoming AC voltage. The incoming power is all stepped up or down to a common voltage level. From there all circuits have the same input voltage, regardless of...
  14. oldvinyl

    Aesthetix Io Users Group

    I have had my Io for nearly 25 years. Started with one power supply and volume controls. Have done the various upgrades and added a second power supply. Did the Eclipse updates - with the power supply mods that Kcin described. Over the years there have been 2 failures. At about the tenth year...
  15. oldvinyl

    The new audiophile vinyl series The Original Source from Deutsche Grammophon (AAA)

    Mine arrived today. Can’t wait to give them a spin.
  16. oldvinyl

    Music Matters Jazz Blue Note Definitive Series, 45RPM -- have all 112 Titles -- woohoo

    What a great set of LPs (Music Matters)! I subscribed when they started the series and got all the 45s, then all the 33s.
  17. oldvinyl

    Aesthetix Io Users Group

    Kcin, Eager to get your impressions on these updates. When I had.the very same done to my Io, the difference was immediately noticeable. And improved as those new capacitors settled in. Enjoy!
  18. oldvinyl

    The new audiophile vinyl series The Original Source from Deutsche Grammophon (AAA)

    I noticed that the next batch of DG Original Source Vinyl is not available, or at least I cannot find it, on Amazon or Acoustic Sounds. The DG store itself is now only showing the Strauss and Tchaikovsky, the Steinberg set is not listed.
  19. oldvinyl

    Aesthetix Io Users Group

    That’s also a great sounding tube. My ears still prefer the CCa.
  20. oldvinyl

    Aesthetix Io Users Group

    I use 5692's in that position. Either RCA red base or an equivalent in light brown base. The 5692 is a military version of the 6SN7 with additional rods internally that reduce microphonic noise. They are also rated for 10,000 hours and are the premium version. The V7 is the output buffer and...
  21. oldvinyl

    Aesthetix Io Users Group

    If you have matched quads, then I would recommend starting with V1, V2, V3, V4 all from the same manufacturer. That will give you a better sense of what each tube brings to the end sound. You would get different sonic results just shuffling the order. V1, V2 Amperex V3, V4 Telefunken V5, V6...
  22. oldvinyl

    Aesthetix Io Users Group

    Brent Jesse's web site has detailed and accurate descriptions of the various tube "flavors". 12AX7 descriptions
  23. oldvinyl

    Aesthetix Io Users Group

    I have never had a tube add brightness or edginess to the Io, at least in system to my ears (and all other applicable caveats). Since the Io is open .... just plug in either set and turn on the Io with the lid still off and while the Io is off. Be careful to keep your hands out of the Io while...
  24. oldvinyl

    The new audiophile vinyl series The Original Source from Deutsche Grammophon (AAA)

    Maybe we should stop raving about how much we like them. :eek:
  25. oldvinyl

    The new audiophile vinyl series The Original Source from Deutsche Grammophon (AAA)

    The Strauss achieved cult status. David Bowie endorsed that recording. Some enthusiasts prefer Janowitz over Schwarzkopf. As per the DG website, the selection is driven by the 4 channel quadraphonic recordings that they did in the 1970s.
  26. oldvinyl

    The new audiophile vinyl series The Original Source from Deutsche Grammophon (AAA)

    The DG website describes them as limited edition. Wish it said more about the pressing - such as first 100, or its own stamper.
  27. oldvinyl

    The new audiophile vinyl series The Original Source from Deutsche Grammophon (AAA)

    The copy of Smetana Ma Vlast had a repeating skip on side 2. I played it again and it skipped just once, but played through to the end. Then, a single skip appeared on side 4. I cleaned the record again (it was cleaned before first play) and this time no skips. This was the only record with...
  28. oldvinyl

    The new audiophile vinyl series The Original Source from Deutsche Grammophon (AAA)

    Were the Amazon records still in their sealed boxs from the shipping from DG (see photo in post #620)? If so, then they were scratched in pressing or packaging. If the records were just in the plastic sleeve and not in their sealed boxes, then they may have been opened. Or opened, played...
  29. oldvinyl

    The new audiophile vinyl series The Original Source from Deutsche Grammophon (AAA)

    Mine looked the same. Maybe its their standard packing materials. :p
  30. oldvinyl

    The new audiophile vinyl series The Original Source from Deutsche Grammophon (AAA)

    Next set for release in January 2024 has been added to the DG Shop. Claudio Abbado & Wiener Philharmoniker Tschaikowski: Sinfonie Nr. 4 Gundula Janowitz, Berliner Philharmoniker, Karajan R. Strauss: Vier letzte Lieder, Tod und Verklärung William Steinberg & Boston Symphony Orchestra Steinberg...

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