Aesthetix Io Users Group

[thekong]

My Io had played nice 2 month, and my repair guy was scheduled to come visit last week to hear the system. 2 days before his arrival the left channel died again, regretfully i had gone to the bathroom right after turning on the power supplies, and the smell of burned electronics was heavy as i returned. Lesson learned, like a small child, you should not leave a Io unattended for to long ! One of the EL 34 tubes was lighting up like a christmas tree and one small transformer was very hot, nothing looked burned or had exploded this time. He came over anyway and we had i nice evening listening to music. He took it with him and saved me 300 km of driving, he is a really nice guy, Io ownership has its plus sides too. Reminds me of this !View attachment 140090

Hi Lagonda, that happened even after you lower the power input voltage to 220V or so (from 235V ) ? I have just had a 3KVA isolation transformer custom made to lower the 225V from the wall socket to either 200V or 210V for the Io. I was hoping it could make it “safer” for the Io

 

[Lagonda]

Hi Lagonda, that happened even after you lower the power input voltage to 220V or so (from 235V ) ? I have just had a 3KVA isolation transformer custom made to lower the 225V from the wall socket to either 200V or 210V for the Io. I was hoping it could make it “safer” for the Io

So did i Maybe it was a fluke, it has been running cooler with lowered voltage. I have changed all tubes except the EL 34, my repair guy told me not to change them, they were inside specks, maybe one went nuclear. I had already bought 4 new ones, they are going in now. No diagnosis yet. I have this whole ritual, i turn on the system and wait 5 minutes, then i cross myself, with fingers crossed 2 times and turn on the first power supply of the Io, wait 2 minutes, cross myself 3 times with fingers crossed and turn on the second power supply. I then wait until both lamps on the front of the power supplies are lit, and then start playing a cartridge with the preamp still muted, hoping he signal helps during warmup. Maybe i did not wait long enough between turning on the first and second power supply. Or maybe i am just superstitious, with a little OCD !

 

[OGH]

Hi Lagonda - does this mean the Io now works, with the bad tube replaced?

 

[OGH]

You wrote "like a small child, you should not leave a Io unattended for to long" - very good point.
And turn it OFF when not in use!

 

[Lagonda]

Hi Lagonda - does this mean the Io now works, with the bad tube replaced?

No i think something else has blown too, but i hope it started with a bad tube My repair guy actually has a active life besides repairing the Io, and i suspect his wife is tired of it interfering with their retirement, i have to be patient !

 

[OGH]

Sorry to hear that. My feelings are with you. Some of my problems have taken a long time to solve too, but afterwards I was glad.

 

[Lagonda]

You wrote "like a small child, you should not leave a Io unattended for to long" - very good point.
And turn it OFF when not in use!

I always turn it off, when not used. I have a whole ritual there too, waiting a few minutes between turning each power supply off, and turning of the step-down transformer half an hour later, if there is bad weather i even disconnect the power plugs.

 

[Lagonda]

Sorry to hear that. My feelings are with you. Some of my problems have taken a long time to solve too, but afterwards I was glad.

I just love the sound, it played fantastic before it broke, i am not giving up. I an not even mad or disappointed anymore, its just business as usual by now. I was hoping for 6 months before brake down this time, but 2 months was all i got the last time too.

 

[christensenleif@msn.com]

Stop loss!
I built my Thorsten Loesch LCR RIAA with Borderpatrol choke input psu and haven’t looked back in 20 years

 

[Lagonda]

Stop loss!
I built my Thorsten Loesch LCR RIAA with Borderpatrol choke input psu and haven’t looked back in 20 years

I know Leif, but i am not a "solderslinger extra ordinary " like you and i am stubborn bordering stupid !

 

[christensenleif@msn.com]

Must be some part in that psu thats under dimensioned, otherwise it would last

 

[Lagonda]

Must be some part in that psu thats under dimensioned, otherwise it would last

Maybe something intermittent with the transformers, Aesthetix seem to recommend "Upgrading "older models with their own in house made transformers, maybe they go bad in high voltage countries ?

 

[audioquest4life]

I have this whole ritual, i turn on the system and wait 5 minutes, then i cross myself, with fingers crossed 2 times and turn on the first power supply of the Io, wait 2 minutes, cross myself 3 times with fingers crossed and turn on the second power supply. I then wait until both lamps on the front of the power supplies are lit, and then start playing a cartridge with the preamp still muted, hoping he signal helps during warmup. Maybe i did not wait long enough between turning on the first and second power supply. Or maybe i am just superstitious, with a little OCD !

I feel the same and am very apprehensive about turning on 88 tubes. It seems as if I am doing a startup sequence for a NASA space mission. I think this to myself, but the inner me says, be ready just in case.


It is not going to explode