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Calling all Aesthetix Callisto / Io Owners

I have owned an Io (standard version with 1 power supply) for a little over a year. I replaced all the tubes in the audio chassis with Telefunken tubes and this was a huge improvement. And this week I took delivery of a Callisto (signature with 1 power supply).

1: Since I also have another line stage here (BAT 31SE) I would like to try both of the Aesthetix power supplies for the Io to see if I ultimately want to go with two supplies here. I would also like to try both power supplies in the Callisto to hear what is gained over just one P.S. But I see that the power cables between the PowerSupply chassis and the Io have different pinouts than the cables used to the Callisto. Are the power supplies interchangeable or are they pinned specifically for either the Io or Callisto?

2: Are there tubes within the Callisto that significantly benefit from tube rolling?

3: Has anyone done a shootout between the Standard and Signature Io? .... and what were the differences?

4: On the Callisto, when I move the "Right Level" control, there is a slight crackle/static sound from full attenuation to the first step and then again in the next 2-3 steps. From then on the noise is gone. I have swapped tubes between the L & R channels, swapped power cables between L & R, tried using a different set of inputs, swapping outputs to opposite amp inputs, etc. The problem stays with the right side. Does the right level control need to be "cleaned"?

Thank you in advance for any input here.

John
jafox

Showing 4 responses by rushton

rushton's avatar
rushton
2,445 posts
 
Very helpful post, Albert. Thank you! This has now gone into my permanent reference file on the Io.
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rushton's avatar
rushton
2,445 posts
 
John, when I was purchasing my Io, I asked Jim White what differences he heard between the standard Io and Io Signature, and with and without the second power supply option. His reply as to what he heard was very direct:
The Signature provides the following benefits:

.. Greater resolution
.. More neutral presentation
.. Improved high frequency extension and detail
.. Greater top to bottom coherency
.. Better bass definition

Adding the second supply improves the sound in the following ways:

.. Added space
.. Improved macro dynamics
.. Improved micro dynamics
.. Blacker backround
.. Greater ease to the sound, less strained
rushton's avatar
rushton
2,445 posts
 
Exlibris, thanks for your follow-up comment about the Atma-Sphere MP-1 in combination with the Atma-Sphere MA-2 amps. I'm continuing to use my Aestheitx Io Signature with volume controls directly into my MA-2s (just as does Hemisferik). Albert's comments continue to tweak my curiosity about the improvement that might be possible with the addition of a high quality line stage like the MP-1 or Callisto, so perhaps this is something I'll have to explore one day.
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rushton's avatar
rushton
2,445 posts
 
Exlibris, there is a pretty significant difference between an Io Signature and the standard Io in that the Signature version delivers greater resolution, more neutral presentation and improved high frequency extension, among other things. Tube choices will certainly change the sonic signature as well. How this translates into what you may be hearing while listening only to the high level input of the standard Io with volume controls, I can't answer.

Albert Porter and others have noted that the addition of Callisto Signature as the linestage (compared to an Io Signature with volume controls) adds materially to overall dynamics and soundstage capabilities. I've not heard the comparison myself, but I trust Albert's comments.
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