Aesthetix IO

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Audiophile Bill

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Mar 23, 2015

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• Oct 27, 2016

• #41

Jeffy said:

I only heard the Absolare phono at CES shows and it sounded fantastic.

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Hi Jeffy,

I also heard the Absolare at a show and it was wonderful there (Munich) with the Kodo Beat, Atlas, and Rockports.

That being said, I would never dream about passing a comparative judgement versus another phonostage without hearing them in the same system otherwise the comparison is really very misguided and no conclusion can or should be drawn other than it sounded great in that system.

 

bonzo75

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• Oct 27, 2016

• #42

Audiophile Bill said:

Hi Jeffy,

I also heard the Absolare at a show and it was wonderful there (Munich) with the Kodo Beat, Atlas, and Rockports.

That being said, I would never dream about passing a comparative judgement versus another phonostage without hearing them in the same system otherwise the comparison is really very misguided and no conclusion can or should be drawn other than it sounded great in that system.

Click to expand...

I agree

 

R

robbyd

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Dec 23, 2015

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• Oct 28, 2016

• #43

Have been tempted by an Io Eclipse for a while now...

 

bonzo75

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• Oct 28, 2016

• #44

Bill, Robbyd is the guy with the SPJ Alba and Koetsu Blue Lace I told you about. The IO eclipse with his TT will be wow.

 

A

Audiophile Bill

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Mar 23, 2015

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• Oct 29, 2016

• #45

bonzo75 said:

Bill, Robbyd is the guy with the SPJ Alba and Koetsu Blue Lace I told you about. The IO eclipse with his TT will be wow.

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I bet! Robby - get the Io Eclipse 3 box - will be stunning with your rig. Blow your mind.

 

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robbyd

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Dec 23, 2015

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• Oct 29, 2016

• #46

I'm sure it would be good, Bill - but right now I have an Audio Tekne which is also blowing my mind. (My wallet has also been blown)

 

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Audiophile Bill

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Mar 23, 2015

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• Oct 29, 2016

• #47

robbyd said:

I'm sure it would be good, Bill - but right now I have an Audio Tekne which is also blowing my mind. (My wallet has also been blown)

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Lol, I bet. Never heard the Audio Tekne but always heard good things on the grapevine. All those transformers

 

D

dan31

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Jul 22, 2010

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• Nov 2, 2016

• #48

I can say, the Aesthetix Io is "one bad ass" phono pre. WOW!!!

 

S

spiritofmusic

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Jun 13, 2013

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• Nov 4, 2016

• #49

Bill, I'm not usually envious of those on WBF
But this is not a usual instance LOL
You have the most amazing backdrop for any cart you choose to really shine
Did I say I'm not usually envious?...

 

Ron Resnick

Site Co-Owner, Administrator

Jan 24, 2015

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• Dec 3, 2016

• #50

What is the lowest output cartridge you have used with the Io?

Has anyone used a ZYX Universe Premium -- .23mv or .24mv output -- with the Io?

If yes, how much tube noise do you hear at moderate to high listening volumes?

 

audio.bill

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May 27, 2013

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• Dec 3, 2016

• #51

Ron Resnick said:

What is the lowest output cartridge you have used with the Io?

Has anyone used a ZYX Universe Premium -- .23mv or .24mv output -- with the Io?

If yes, how much tube noise do you hear at moderate to high listening volumes?

Click to expand...

Ron - I have two buddies with the Aesthetix Io and it definitely has adequate gain for a cartridge like the ZYX Universe Premium. The level of tube noise will naturally be dependent upon the quality of tubes used, and select low noise tubes particularly for those early in the circuit can help significantly in this regard. I can't give you an exact measurement for the amount of noise, but there will definitely be audible hiss at normal listening positions with the system volume at moderate to high levels. This phono stage excels in so many areas of performance including dynamics, inner detail, spaciousness, decay, etc. However if you're looking for a silent background I don't think this is for you. My friends both find its sound so engaging that they're willing to put up with some audible background hiss, while I do sometimes find it distracting. Hope this helps!

 

bonzo75

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• Dec 3, 2016

• #52

Which cartridge do you hear the hiss with? Or rather which carts do they use

 

Kcin

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• Dec 3, 2016

• #53

Ron Resnick said:

What is the lowest output cartridge you have used with the Io?

Has anyone used a ZYX Universe Premium -- .23mv or .24mv output -- with the Io?

If yes, how much tube noise do you hear at moderate to high listening volumes?

Click to expand...

I am using a a Koetsu Rosewood Signature Platinum at ,25mV output. I have no audible hiss. I take great care in selecting tubes and the one's Aesthetix provides are good for low noise. It is not just the cartridge to consider it is the overall gain of the system and the requirements of the room. Speaker efficiency and room interface play into the gain required. I also sometimes use Alpha Genesis 1000 and 2000 which are ,23mV range and are ZYX designs by Nakatsuka - no issues.

Using a noise evaluation tool for the tubes is useful but not necessary as many suppliers can provide similar service...I use the VTV analyzer which works great .

 

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bonzo75

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• Dec 3, 2016

• #54

Googling shows others using the IO Sig with Zyx, though lower models. Including radicalsteve from the ML website who owns CLX

 

audio.bill

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• Dec 3, 2016

• #55

bonzo75 said:

Which cartridge do you hear the hiss with? Or rather which carts do they use

Click to expand...

One has a Clearaudio Stradivari V2 at 0.6mV output and the other a Benz at 0.3mV.

 

Ron Resnick

Site Co-Owner, Administrator

Jan 24, 2015

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• Dec 3, 2016

• #56

Thank you Bill, Bonzo and Kcin!

 

awsmone

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Apr 6, 2014

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• Dec 3, 2016

• #57

Ron Resnick said:

What is the lowest output cartridge you have used with the Io?

Has anyone used a ZYX Universe Premium -- .23mv or .24mv output -- with the Io?

If yes, how much tube noise do you hear at moderate to high listening volumes?

Click to expand...

i heard that exact cartridge in two systems with Io in two different system....no probs!

 

D

dan31

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• Dec 3, 2016

• #58

One of the great aspects of the Io is that you can use virtually any low output MC with confidence. I'm going to grab one of the single layer Lyra's when it's time for a rebuild.

 

T

thekong

Well-Known Member

May 10, 2012

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• Dec 3, 2016

• #59

I have been using the IO with the 0.27mv Ortofon A90 without problem.

 

B

bluepearl

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Nov 9, 2016

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• Dec 4, 2016

• #60

I am strongly considering the IO as my next phono stage, how much better is the dual power supply vs. the single? Due to rack space my preference is the single....