Aesthetix IO
- Thread starter Audiophile Bill
- Start date
It has never ceased to amaze me how many analog rigs I have heard that have a good TT, good arm and cart and a so/so phonostage and the sound is only so/so.
Y'all may be "Johnny come latelys" to Jim White's amazing Io, but I am so happy you have joined the club! 
Y'all may be "Johnny come latelys" to Jim White's amazing Io, but I am so happy you have joined the club!
Never leaving this club, Ron. Best phono stage I ever heard for sure. On a serious note, what is your recommendation on footers and power cabling? The Stillpoints today were a major disappointment - ruined the tone.
Y'all may be "Johnny come latelys" to Jim White's amazing Io, but I am so happy you have joined the club!
Well, I might not be an "IO" man but I got me a good'un.
Shunyata Alpha with IO
Very interested in your thoughts on the HC version of this PC with the IO. I have recently upgraded my PC's to the Shunyata Alpha HC version on my Audio Research Reference 250 monobloc amps with great success. In addition to some of the typical benefits of these PC's (dynamics, transparency, imaging) they actually helped to tame some noise in my system which I believe is largely due to the dual power supplies of the IO. For that reason I want to add better shielded PC's to the power supplies of the IO. However I was not going to use the HC version for the phono stage. The info I have gathered to date suggests the high current (HC) version for larger equipment such as power amps. I would not imagine using the HC version is detrimental however it is an additional $300 versus the non-HC version.Have you or do you know someone who may have evaluated the HC versus the non-HC Shuyata PC with the IO? I have discussed PC's with Glenn at Aesthetix recently however did not discuss this particular point...I am glad you have mentioned the HC version. It warrants some further investigation. Thank You.
There is no doubt the Alpha HC has improved the Io dramatically. The Io pulls around 350 watts so the larger total gauge is of benefit. The HC has twice as much filtering capacity so it also helps keep the noise done for the Io and other components.
It will still take some time to settle as I have changed multiple power cables and have another HC on order.
It will still take some time to settle as I have changed multiple power cables and have another HC on order.
Sounds good. Was not aware that the Alpha HC had additional filtering capacity. That alone would justify the additional expense of the HC. In my system the HC reduced overall noise when used on my amps. Using them on the power supplies will likely provide even more benefit. Appreciate your comments.
Let us know when your new PC's have finished in your system.
Let us know when your new PC's have finished in your system.
I know the seller, he is trustworthy. He often organises shoot-outs/workshops at his home and buys and sells a lot of the stuff.
Has anyone substituted 5751 for the 12ax7 on the Io? I have plenty on gain in my system so I thought I might explore this option. I am using attenuation setting 3 and could be on 4 easily.
If so can you mix 5751 in position 1 and 12ax7 in the remaining positions in the phono preamp?
If so can you mix 5751 in position 1 and 12ax7 in the remaining positions in the phono preamp?
Hi Ron, I am using mainly stock tubes or current production tubes in the IO!
I have experienced using vintage Telefunken ribbed plate and smooth plates ECC83 in the first gain stage with very good result (to my ears) ! It gives a more airy sound than the stock tubes, which is exactly what I am looking for in my system.
Not sure if it was just my bad luck, the set of ribbed plate (supposedly NOS) turned bad / noisy pretty fast, in a matter of less than 50 hours. However, the smooth plate seems to be doing ok so far.
One of my friends, who is using the older version IO Sig., also found his IO pushing the tubes quite hard. So, you may want to experiment with less expensive vintage tubes before committing with something like the Telefunken.
Actually, I would be very interested to see if any member with the technical expertise can check on the voltage / bias of the IO to confirm whether it exceeded (or close to the limits) the spec. for vintage tubes.
If you are looking for the warmer (compared to Telefunken at least) kind of sound, you may want to try out the reissue Gold Lion, which seems to be quite rugged.
Thank you for that report!
At this point I am trying to solve for lowest noise from the gain stages of the Io.
(Yes, Kedar, I have conceded I have to tube "roll.")
At this point I am trying to solve for lowest noise from the gain stages of the Io.
(Yes, Kedar, I have conceded I have to tube "roll.")
Hi Ron, I would suggest you tried out the stock tubes first to see whether they fit you system / taste. I may be in the minority here, but I don't believe vintage tubes are inherently better than current production tubes. Rather, matching to the system is the key.
If I am not using the Callisto, I would be more than happy using stock tubes in the IO. As mentioned before, only because the Callisto / IO combo was a bit too warm sounding to my liking that I wanted to find tubes with cooler, airier, characteristics.
If I am not using the Callisto, I would be more than happy using stock tubes in the IO. As mentioned before, only because the Callisto / IO combo was a bit too warm sounding to my liking that I wanted to find tubes with cooler, airier, characteristics.
I too run my Io with Aesthetix's tubes. Tried rolling tubes in the past and wasn't to my liking, sound was a little too lush for me and I too found it less airy . Also had some issues with vintage tubes from a reputable source. Aesthetix tubes have been stellar so far so why change
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