Aesthetix Io Users Group
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I have not compared much, but yes, I was positively surprised by the low noise level of the JJ tubes I got back together with the Io after a repair in 2018. For the first time I thought: this phono stage could maybe sound optimal even with .25 or so ohm carts. Although I have not changed from my .56 Lyra Atlas. The NOS I have tried have varied from quite equal, to a little bit more noisy than the JJs, to clearly more noisy. I've been lucky to find a Telefunken quad that has a similar low noise level.
Don was so happy with the quietness of Jim's stock Sovtek tubes when he got his upgraded Io back that he has decided to stop playing with NOS (which, previously, he had swapped in and out exhaustively for many years).
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I can understand that. Since I was lucky with the first quad I got from the seller I asked for another Tele quad, and got it, only to find that it was more noisy. So I returned it. The seller seemed a bit irritated but I did get my money back...
What about the "splitting the baby" strategy of keeping Sovteks in V1 and V2 and putting NOS in V3 and V4?
Or are the V3 and V4 gain positions too inconsequential to affect materially the sound?
Or are the V3 and V4 gain positions too inconsequential to affect materially the sound?
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I may try Telefunkens in V3 and Mullards in V4, or vice versa.
Or what about Mullards in V3 and Mullards in V4?
The other thing I should mention is that I am using a very low output cartridge and single-ended inputs and connections, so I am already about 75% of maximum on the Io volume controls.
I find Telefunken smooth plates have always been the best in my first gain stage due to their extreme linearity with my Aesthetix Rhea, from standard to Signature to Eclipse levels and also a friend’s three box IO. Never heard anything better over the decades.
Why do you feel these are the two key tubes rather than the first gain stage tubes (V1 and V2)?
I swapped out the stock Sovtek 6SN7s and put in Raytheon short bottles. Maybe I am hearing a touch more upper bass? And maybe the soundstage is a bit wider?
I don't remember why I got these Raytheon short bottles. What do most of you use in Io V8?
Why do people use short bottle 6SN7s?
I don't remember why I got these Raytheon short bottles. What do most of you use in Io V8?
Why do people use short bottle 6SN7s?
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My NOS long plate halo getter Mullards effort in V1 and V2 was disturbing. The sound seemed slower and cloudy. Very puzzling.
Maybe they needed to burn in? I don't know; I almost couldn't sleep with them being in there and knowing the Io was sounding like that!
Maybe they needed to burn in? I don't know; I almost couldn't sleep with them being in there and knowing the Io was sounding like that!
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Was using 50s-60s Red Base CBS 5692 (6sn7) and the sound definitely improved
Pretty much all the standard things we hope for when spending our hard earned money on. Unfortunately I’m not much of a wordsmith but the best analogy I can think of would be a difference in magnitude of going from a really nice digital playback to a really nice vinyl system.
Don’t recall what the stock tubes were as it was about 7-8 years ago when I got the Eclipse. Bought the tubes wayyy back when I had the IO Signature (2006-ish)
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 should be as tonally linear and non-interfering as possible, at least that's what I prefer. That's why users like Telefunken or Siemens 6922, 7308 or CCa.
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