Aesthetix Audio Io Owners Manual with Volume Control

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Io with Volume Control 
PHONO STAGE 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
OWNERS MANUAL 
 
 
 
 
Aesthetix Audio Corporation 
5220 Gabbert Rd., Suite A ♦ Moorpark, CA. 93021 
Phone: (805) 529-9901  

INTRODUCTION 
 
 
     Thank you for purchasing the Io Phono Stage.  It has been engineered to 
deliver the highest attainable sound quality from your turntable.  This is its sole 
purpose.  Only the highest grade elect ronic components are used in the Io, 
including:  non-inductive wirewound resist ors in the signal path; polystyrene, 
polypropylene, and Nichicon electrolytic power supply, bypass, and signal 
capacitors; low noise matched vacuum  tubes; glass epoxy dual mono circuit 
boards; 20 gauge...

CONFIGURATION 
 
THE FOLLOWING PROCEDURES SHOULD ONLY BE ATTEMPTED 
WITH THE POWER CORD DISCONNECTED. 
 
INPUT IMPEDANCE: 
 
Note:  If 47K ohms is the desired input impedance, the unit comes factory configured for this 
setting.  The following instructions may be skipped. 
 
The input impedance of Io may be configured to virtually any useful value.  On the back 
panel of the main unit, locate the section labeled “INPUT IMPEDANCE”.  Two jumpers (and 
a spare) are supplied with Io, one for the left...

CONNECTIONS 
 
CAUTION: It is vitally important that you do NOT disconnect the umbilical cables (between 
the power supply and main unit) for AT LEAST 15 MINUTES AFTER TURNING OFF 
THE MAIN POWER SWITCH and removing the AC cord from the power supply. 
  
Note:  Never connect power supplys power cord to a wall outlet while umbilical cables 
between main unit and power supply are disconnected.   
 
A.  Connect the male end of one of the supplied umbilical cables to a power output jack on 
the power...

OPERATION 
 
Caution: Lower Volume controls all of the way before selecting a different 
input via the front panel toggle switches. 
 
*Ensure linestage/preamp and/or power amp are properly muted to prevent 
possible damage to speakers. 
 
A.  Turn power on. 
 
B.  Wait at least fifteen minutes for power supplies to fully stabilize before 
unmuting preamp or turning on / unmuting power amplifier. 
 
C.  Begin playing record. 
 
D. If the optional second input is insta lled, before switching inputs turn...

 
A NOTE ON TUBES  
     The Io has been designed to minimize differences between tube brands.  
Different brands and quality levels s till sound different in the Io but these 
differences are minimal and in most cases not worth the efforts involved in 
finding and purchasing them.  A great deal of listening was invested in finding 
the optimal tube types and brands for the  Io.  It is therefore not recommended to 
try different tube brands and more impor tantly different tube types.   Should 
there be...

TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION 
 
 
NOTE:  The following is a detailed technical description of the circuitr\
y 
employed in the Io. It is intended for technically inclined readers for 
informational purposes only. 
 
     The Io comprises two separate units, the phono stage itself and the power 
supply unit.  The units are connected together via two detachable umbilical 
cords.   
 
     The phono stage contains three main amplification sections and an output 
buffer section.  The first section is a high gain,...

Notes 
 
Then section gain is 3dB single-ended in/out and 9dB Balanced in/out. 
 
The 2 rear panel fuses on the power supply are 2A slow blow for 100/110 \
and 
117V units or 2A slow blow for 230 and 245V units. 
 
 
 
 
 8 

90 DAY LIMITED WARRANTY TERMS AND CONDITIONS 
(3 Year optional extended service contract) 
 
1.  Aesthetix warrants the product designated herein to be free of manufacturing defects in material and 
workmanship, subject to the conditions herein set forth, for a period of 90 days from the date of purchase by the 
original purchaser. If the purchaser registers the unit with Aesthetix by mailing in the warranty card, together 
with a copy of the bill of sale, within 14 days of the date of purchase, said...