Search results

  1. oldvinyl

    Aesthetix Io Users Group

    I would hope that the power supplies have soft start and inrush current limiting. Actually, the tube heaters do run before the high voltage kicks in - you can see that on the indicators on the front panel. MOSFETs used in linear voltage regulators would have a pretty fast transient response...
  2. oldvinyl

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

    Gentlemen .... start your record cleaners! (I always put new LPs through an ultrasonic cycle before listening)
  3. oldvinyl

    Aesthetix Io Users Group

    They are the voltage regulators for the various supplies from the power supply. They can fail due to time, but that is rare. An input surge could affect them. Do you use an AC line filter or conditioner? Some will limit input surges and over voltage. My setup uses an Audience aR12. Designer...
  4. oldvinyl

    Aesthetix Io Users Group

    Happy listening! I am curious about what the failures were. Did your repair person say?
  5. oldvinyl

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

    Just got shipment notice for the new TOS batch of 4 records. I am especially eager to listen to the Bartok.
  6. oldvinyl

    Aesthetix Io Users Group

    OGH: for phono inputs, it is more correct to say that the Io has balanced and RCA connectors. Even when using XLR connectors, the phono input on the Io is connected to the first gain stage single-ended (not balanced). There are other phono stages that are fully balanced. My best guess is that...
  7. oldvinyl

    Aesthetix Io Users Group

    I don’t understand the question. Balanced cables are meant for differential circuits. That would be devices that generate an in phase and out of phase version of the signal. Common mode noise affects the in phase and opposite phase signal equally. This would be RF or circuit noise that gets...
  8. oldvinyl

    Aesthetix Io Users Group

    Balanced inputs would have an advantage when the input signal is differential. Balanced inputs (using XLR) cancel common mode noise since the noise is in phase on both signal inputs. Balanced inputs have a higher input level and can improve signal/noise ratio. A cartridge generates a signal...
  9. oldvinyl

    Aesthetix Io Users Group

    Just to clarify - the Io is balanced/differential internally from the second gain stage to the outputs, regardless of RCA or XLR inputs. You’re wired for the best performance.
  10. oldvinyl

    Aesthetix Io Users Group

    OGH - it may be difficult to eliminate all tube noise with your setup. The Io has 16 tubes in the phono section plus another 8 per power supply. That’s 32 tubes. The Einstein adds another 19 tubes. The Atma-Sphere amps add another 38 tubes. Do you know if the tube noise of concern is from the...
  11. oldvinyl

    Aesthetix Io Users Group

    The gold capacitors in the phono stage (head unit) are Peter Moncrief's Stealth Capacitors. They are coupling capacitors and contribute to improvements in sound quality. The power supply capacitors are part of the voltage regulation and filtering. These are the new Panasonic (if I recall) that...
  12. oldvinyl

    Aesthetix Io Users Group

    Hmmm …. I can’t say much about the low output cartridges. I have only used Benz LP, Benz LP-S and Clearaudio Goldfinger with the Io. What I can recommend is to get the power supplies fully updated (grounding, capacitors and transformers), then clean all the sockets, connectors, cable plugs...
  13. 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.
  14. 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...
  15. 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...
  16. 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...
  17. oldvinyl

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

    Found it: Aesthetix transformer winding
  18. 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...
  19. 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...
  20. 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...
  21. 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.
  22. 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.
  23. 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...
  24. 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...
  25. 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...
  26. 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...
  27. oldvinyl

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

    Mine arrived today. Can’t wait to give them a spin.
  28. 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.
  29. 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!
  30. 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.

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