Ypsilon VPS-100 MKII + MCL / CH P1 / Aesthetix Io
- Thread starter jsec
- Start date
NOT THE IO !
Maybe jsec lives in a 110V region, which probably would make the Io a much safer bet
!
We’ve got extensive experience with all three where we’ve also been carrying CH and Ypsilon for almost ten years now.
CH P1 is a true swiss army kniife (sorry for the cliché) of a phono stage. It offers multiple, individual inputs which are fully customizable. It’s dead quiet, highly transparent and very resolving. A set up and forget component ready for anything.
Ypsilon VPS-100 MKII is the choice of purists who wants a touch of tubes in the form of spaciousness and natural timbre. It demands a SUT (preferably one of the MC-L models from Ypsilon) which needs to be considered carefully in relation to the cartridge of choice.
Aesthetix IO is a tube extravaganza unit which needs space, air and care. It’s a fascinating piece in terms of build and mechanics.
I would also throw in Allnic who offers a broader range of options from the more entry (mid) level to the highest end.
I’m personally looking to explore the offerings from WestminsterLab and CS Port soon as potential candidates within this space as well. WestminsterLab being modular with DS Audio support and CS Port battery powered where there’s also a new reference model coming out this year.
Hope that helps.
/ Marcus
CH P1 is a true swiss army kniife (sorry for the cliché) of a phono stage. It offers multiple, individual inputs which are fully customizable. It’s dead quiet, highly transparent and very resolving. A set up and forget component ready for anything.
Ypsilon VPS-100 MKII is the choice of purists who wants a touch of tubes in the form of spaciousness and natural timbre. It demands a SUT (preferably one of the MC-L models from Ypsilon) which needs to be considered carefully in relation to the cartridge of choice.
Aesthetix IO is a tube extravaganza unit which needs space, air and care. It’s a fascinating piece in terms of build and mechanics.
I would also throw in Allnic who offers a broader range of options from the more entry (mid) level to the highest end.
I’m personally looking to explore the offerings from WestminsterLab and CS Port soon as potential candidates within this space as well. WestminsterLab being modular with DS Audio support and CS Port battery powered where there’s also a new reference model coming out this year.
Hope that helps.
/ Marcus
I'm based in Europe, so blown capacitators could be an issue with Io, or is it something Aesthetix has fixed with the latest models?Maybe jsec lives in a 110V region, which probably would make the Io a much safer bet
That’s what I would like to know too! If there is concrete proof that the problems have been fixed, I will not hesitate to send my Io back to the factory for the upgrade!
Electrolytic caps are most likely to blow if wrongly connected -- and surely Aesthetix (aesthetics?) knows how solder caps in their PS
On to the devices you mention. I have listened to them, albeit, on different occasions. So I'll give you what I remember from the experience.
-- The CH was in demo conditions so I won't include it.
-- The Io was pleasant, euphonic (i.e. no jarring notes), reasonable dynamics and resolution
-- The Y has very good resolution and dynamics, the upper end being more evident than the Io (as I remember). Their transformers are excellent, so the circuits that include transformers (a phono / step-up, for example) are well worth considering.
Foprgive me for stating the obvious but, what are *you* looking for?
Thanks @Gregm great insights on the sound characteristics of these devices!Electrolytic caps are most likely to blow if wrongly connected -- and surely Aesthetix (aesthetics?) knows how solder caps in their PS
On to the devices you mention. I have listened to them, albeit, on different occasions. So I'll give you what I remember from the experience.
-- The CH was in demo conditions so I won't include it.
-- The Io was pleasant, euphonic (i.e. no jarring notes), reasonable dynamics and resolution
-- The Y has very good resolution and dynamics, the upper end being more evident than the Io (as I remember). Their transformers are excellent, so the circuits that include transformers (a phono / step-up, for example) are well worth considering.
Foprgive me for stating the obvious but, what are *you* looking for?
What I'm looking for? It's a difficult one, but mainly I'm looking for a path forward, something that would be on level which won't prove to a bottleneck later. Rather something that would give options to build highly enjoyable setup around it. Maybe a device that has potential to grow and adopt to the setup around it.
Speaking of phono, you could live with either for years to come -- the riaa curve will not change.
The P1 is very versatile, the Y has excellent clarity and a heightened sense of dynamic impulse, especially evident in the high of the frequency spectrum - -which gives you a sense of space, etc. Also th Y has no feedbacl loop, if you are sensitive to this.
They are both excellent machines IMO.
The CH P1 description by Marcus is dead on.
I would also add to that list the Aries Cerat Talos Reference.
I would also add to that list the Aries Cerat Talos Reference.
Well, that's interesting. I don't know why, but the price level for Talos Ref in my head was around 50k. Turns out it's quite close price-wise to the other contenders.
Tron seven dual mono phono stage mc 68/74 db gain switchable 2 inputs ,output
impendance 600ohm. Love that simply design each chassis only 2xecc83 and ecc82
That all you need to be happy if you don't play with tonearms and cartridges every day.
Price 9.5k£ for both
impendance 600ohm. Love that simply design each chassis only 2xecc83 and ecc82
That all you need to be happy if you don't play with tonearms and cartridges every day.
Price 9.5k£ for both
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If you live in the EU, you should look at EU manufacturers. I would go with the Ypsilon unit for a single cart system. Multi arm, go with the CH.
I am located in the US and use the Io.
I am located in the US and use the Io.
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Being an owner of the CH P1 and CH X1, I would factor in the CH X1 for the CH P1 as the improvement in an already great product is easy to hear.
The P1 is a set-up and forget (until a new software update comes up keeping the product virtually future proof) phono stage without any fear with the inconvenience of possible tubes popping and needing to be replaced (always seems to happen at the least expected but annoying time !) which can also be a cost penalty.
With both the P1 and X1 being solid state you don't have to bother with the chore of turning them on and off every day / time you want to use it (unlike a lot of tube based products) !
Also if you decide to buy a low internal impedance cartridge (I bought a 'My Sonic Lab Eminent Ex' for the P1) the current / transimpedance inputs of the P1 is a must have....period. The clarity (without being sterile) from this input is fantastic !
Just my two £ worth !
The P1 is a set-up and forget (until a new software update comes up keeping the product virtually future proof) phono stage without any fear with the inconvenience of possible tubes popping and needing to be replaced (always seems to happen at the least expected but annoying time !) which can also be a cost penalty.
With both the P1 and X1 being solid state you don't have to bother with the chore of turning them on and off every day / time you want to use it (unlike a lot of tube based products) !
Also if you decide to buy a low internal impedance cartridge (I bought a 'My Sonic Lab Eminent Ex' for the P1) the current / transimpedance inputs of the P1 is a must have....period. The clarity (without being sterile) from this input is fantastic !
Just my two £ worth !
I have had my Io fail 6 times, none of them were capacitor failures, no tubes have seem to be the culprits either. The Io is known for unexplained failures where diodes and regulator transistors fail, without apparent reasons. Multiple repair men have also warned about potential circuitboard failure in connection with these phantom problems, that is what happened in my last breakdown. Maybe the reason is power transformers that go bad over time, seems to happen especially to 220-240 V versions. Mine has been back to the US factory 2 times, and never worked more than 1 year maximum without breakdown, average run time has been about 3 month between breakdowns. Be sure to be prepared for long repair times every time it breaks, Aesthetix seem to average at least 3 month, with several European owners reporting 6 month to a year wait time.
Just know what you can potentially be subjected to as a Io owner.
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