Aesthetix IO

bonzo75

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Hi Bill,

I am also using the IO Eclipse, together with the Callisto Eclipse, both with dual power supplies! Very nice combo indeed!

Wow Kong, you just the Aesthetix too? Have you moved to your new place?
 

thekong

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May 10, 2012
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Oh yes, I am using the 6 boxes IO + Callisto combo!

My new place is under renovation, and hopefully I can move in before end of Nov.:)
 

bonzo75

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Oh yes, I am using the 6 boxes IO + Callisto combo!

My new place is under renovation, and hopefully I can move in before end of Nov.:)

Cool. If you are free and set up might drop by in Easter or in summer
 

Audiophile Bill

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Mar 23, 2015
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Oh yes, I am using the 6 boxes IO + Callisto combo!

My new place is under renovation, and hopefully I can move in before end of Nov.:)

Wow Kong - no messing about! Must sound awesome. Is that 48 tubes in total?
 

thekong

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May 10, 2012
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Hi Bill,

56 tubes for IO and Callisto! At the peak, I had to light up 112 tubes (IO + Callisto + 2 pairs of CJ Premier 8) whenever I want some music!

Now I am trying to cut down on the tube count with Pass replacing the CJs:D
 

bonzo75

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Funny when I heard Bill's IO I was thinking what this would do coupled with an apogee, given the high bass and slam and soundstage of both. Did you ever look for a one box solution that was equivalent?
 

dan31

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Jul 22, 2010
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I have to say all this talk about the Io has me making some future plans. This is one of the very few tube phono stages that is compatible with SS preamps. The measured output impedance looks great.
 

Audiophile Bill

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Mar 23, 2015
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Hi Bill,

56 tubes for IO and Callisto! At the peak, I had to light up 112 tubes (IO + Callisto + 2 pairs of CJ Premier 8) whenever I want some music!

Now I am trying to cut down on the tube count with Pass replacing the CJs:D

OMG :eek: - awesome.
 

Audiophile Bill

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Mar 23, 2015
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I have to say all this talk about the Io has me making some future plans. This is one of the very few tube phono stages that is compatible with SS preamps. The measured output impedance looks great.

It is an extraordinary phono stage tbh. I have heard quite a lot of top flight phono stages but this is very special indeed. I am excited to see what will happen when all NOS tubes are in. Also stealth caps and mooks under everything.
 

bonzo75

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Can any of the IO owners name a one box phono they actively considered to replace their Aesthetix with, that came close?
 

c1ferrari

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May 15, 2010
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Hi Bill, 56 tubes for IO and Callisto! At the peak, I had to light up 112 tubes (IO + Callisto + 2 pairs of CJ Premier 8) whenever I want some music! Now I am trying to cut down on the tube count with Pass replacing the CJs:D
We have an all BAT rig (2-box/REX pre + four VK-150SE monoblocks) and an all Atma-Sphere rig (2-box/MP-1 Mk. 3.2 + four MA-1 Mk. 3.2 monoblocks). Currently, lol, running solid state Grace Design m905 in pre position + A-S monoblocks. Fortunately, we have great central A/C for all the Class A heat! :cool:
 
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Kcin

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Can any of the IO owners name a one box phono they actively considered to replace their Aesthetix with, that came close?

I can't think of any. The real contributor to drive is the very substantial power supply. You just can't do that with one box. If I were to go from 3 boxes to 2 I'd consider the Atmasphere.


Even with a single supply, the Io really can play dynamics and separation well. NOS tubes ,if you've got the appetite to roll,takes it to another level.

I've tried ASR, Klyne , ARC over the last few years- I'm ok with the Io for now.
 

thekong

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May 10, 2012
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I can't think of any. The real contributor to drive is the very substantial power supply. You just can't do that with one box. If I were to go from 3 boxes to 2 I'd consider the Atmasphere.


Even with a single supply, the Io really can play dynamics and separation well. NOS tubes ,if you've got the appetite to roll,takes it to another level.

I've tried ASR, Klyne , ARC over the last few years- I'm ok with the Io for now.

I agree! While there are many excellent phonos, they just have difference characteristics from the IO.

For 1 box phonos that I have auditioned that has similar characteristics is the Rhea, but it is still a couple of steps behind. And it can be noisy when set at the highest gain!

Another option maybe the rare 2 box full feature MFA MC Ref. preamp. I have not played with it for a while, and never directly compared it with the IO, but if I remember correctly, like the IO, it is slightly on the warm side, pitch black background (maybe even more quieter than the IO), and has excellent bass slam (though may not be up to the IO’s level). My unit has just been repaired and fully checked by Scott Frankland. It is playing music in my friend’s den in California. Hopefully, I will have it, together with the latest 6 tubes version of the Wavestream Deluxe Phono, back by Xmas.

I am also very interested in auditioning the Atma-sphere MP1, but unfortunately they don't have any dealer in Hong Kong ?
 

c1ferrari

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Hopefully, I will have it, together with the latest 6 tubes version of the Wavestream Deluxe Phono, back by Xmas.

I am also very interested in auditioning the Atma-sphere MP1, but unfortunately they don't have any dealer in Hong Kong ?

I've had an interest in Wavestream gear...this one in particular intrigues me
- http://tinyurl.com/jfkxe3k
If you lived closer, you could hear/borrow my MP-1 Mk. 3.2. :D
 

thekong

Well-Known Member
May 10, 2012
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I've had an interest in Wavestream gear...this one in particular intrigues me
- http://tinyurl.com/jfkxe3k
If you lived closer, you could hear/borrow my MP-1 Mk. 3.2. :D

The V8 is indeed exceptional; my friend has the older version, which is having some problems due to age. But when it works, I feel that it can outperforms my CJ Premier 8 easily!

Thank you for the offer on the MP-1:) What other phono / preamp have you compared it with?
 

Audiophile Bill

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Mar 23, 2015
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I think the Absolare Phono preamp sounds as good. It has a separate power supply, uses tubes, and no output step up transformers.

Did you audition these the three box eclipse io versus the absolare in the same system? If so, what tt and cart?
 

c1ferrari

Member Sponsor & WBF Founding Member
May 15, 2010
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Thank you for the offer on the MP-1:) What other phono / preamp have you compared it with?

You're welcome, thekong. :cool:

My MP-1 is configured with a phono stage; however, I've never used it, since my tt isn't set up. My other phono stage is a
Tri TRV-EQSE. Since my resurrected interest in audio, I've compared in my own room/system the following preamps/monitor controllers:


  • Jeff Rowland Consummate
  • BAT VK-51SE
  • BAT REX
  • Atma-Sphere MP-1 Mk. 3.2
  • Crane Song Avocet
  • Grace Design m905

The m905 is what I now use to switch sources and attenuate volume. Unexpectedly, the m905 also supplanted the Audio Note 4.1X Balanced DAC
for RBCD duty.
 

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