Aesthetix Callisto and Io Eclipse

The new Io and Eclipse were prototypes. The real ones will be made soon. I think Jim said they wont be available until March. He uses better parts in these and the cosmetics are different. By the way the less expensive Io Signature cannot be updated to these.

For images of the new Aesthetix Eclipse, see thread here at Audiogon.

http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?vaslt&1200194873&openmine&zzAlbertporter&4&5#Albertporter

Yes, I've heard the preamp, it's in my system. The difference between it and the Aesthetix MK2 Signature is substantial.

Part of this is the newest caps by Peter Moncrief, visible via the third link to images in my post. The cap is bright gold color with no texture. Fairly large too considering the MF value.

I hope to have the phono version (the Io Eclipse) in six weeks or so.

Thank you.
The price quoted on the Stereophile page is $22,000 for the Callisto Eclipse with dual power supply and remote. Adding the Io Eclipse would put the price into Kondo Audio Note Japan territory (KSL-M77). I'm curious as to which sounds better.

We will have final pricing on the Eclipse versions of Io and Callisto soon. All versions of the Io and Callisto, regardless of vintage, are fully upgradeable to Eclipse!

Thank you,

Jim White
Aesthetix

Can anyone who has heard the new units describe the sonic differences between the current Callisto and Io Signature MkII versions and the new Eclipse versions? Also, other than the use of the new capacitors, what has changed to improve these units? As an Io Signature MkII with two power supply chassis owner, I want to learn about potential improvements and associated cost.

We will have final pricing on the Eclipse versions of Io and Callisto soon. All versions of the Io and Callisto, regardless of vintage, are fully upgradeable to Eclipse!

Thank you,

Jim White
Aesthetix

I knew this was the case, but refrained from responding to Jwm's claim of "no upgrade path," as I did not want to be the one who drove everyone over to Aesthetix before Jim could even get parts and metal in hand.

Now that Jim's let the cat out of the bag, I'm off the hook :^).

Casaross, regarding:

Can anyone who has heard the new units describe the sonic differences between the current Callisto and Io Signature MkII versions and the new Eclipse versions? Also, other than the use of the new capacitors, what has changed to improve these units? As an Io Signature MkII with two power supply chassis owner, I want to learn about potential improvements and associated cost

I can't quote cost, but can say without reservation that the upgrade parts in the Aesthetix Eclipse models are a significant improvement.

Parts required for upgrade path depend on the vintage of your Aesthetix. There could be need for new transformers, resistors, caps and even the chassis base (pre-remote version and remote version), in addition to the new Eclipse metal.

Performance advantages are improved bandwidth, especially noticeable in the high frequencies while lowering distortion and increasing dynamics and resolution. Resolution is dramatically improved without the penalty of "glare' or "in your face" artifacts that frequently accompany high end audio upgrades.

In other words, these improvements maintain the natural and believable listening experience that existed for these top line Aesthetix models before the upgrade. (Prettier girl but without additional attitude, unbelievable isn't it :^)

The new caps are made by the same designer who provided the previous caps, these are the next evolution in the line and Jim White (as always) is quick to take advantage to make Aesthetix's performance the best it can be.

As with all other upgrades in the Aesthetix line, there have always been a path for customers to follow so they can have the best without giving up what they've already paid for.

It's only one of many reasons Aesthetix has been my reference front end for more than 10 years.

I humbly suggest that Aesthetix develop its own website.

Hi Albert, did you buy that preamp then? Sounds like you just got it.

Atmasphere (Ralph), I and a couple of other people got early versions to test. Mine was converted from my Callisto Signature by the factory a few months ago.

When John from Classic visited me on the way to CES, he was hearing the new Eclipse (less metal work). I still have to upgrade the Io phono and that will be bigger improvement than what we've already experienced.

I'm also upgrading all the chassis metal too. Exact time is not set but tentative schedule could have identical product as shown at CES in my home within the next 6 weeks.

Exlibris:

I humbly suggest that Aesthetix develop its own website.

I agree, the data provided by Musical Surroundings is inadequate, and why I often post data here at Audiogon.

I don't want to sound like an idiot, but Jim told me at the show that there would not be an upgrade path. Obviously he changed his mind. I'm sure he did not want to be committed to this until he probably had access to all the parts. This is good news for everyone since they don't have to sell their older units in order to get the new ones. If only other companies would follow this practice. Jim your a gentleman and a scholar.

I called Musical Surroundings last week and they assured me that the current versions of the Io and Callisto could be upgraded to the new Eclipse series. The man with whom I spoke said that Aesthetix would publish pricing as early as this coming week and that dealers would receive notice.

Any updates on current pricing on the Eclipse IO and Callisto upgrades?
Thanks

Will