Aethetix IO Signature Question

It's funny yet typical that people have different experiences with the same piece of gear. I agree wholeheartedly with Jafox's tube discussion as his experience is the same as mine - I have 8 Telefunken 12AX7s and 4 Brimars in mine (and I bought them and paid a premium from a reputable dealer I trust to get top quality matched tubes), Amperex in the 6922 spot and the Mullard EL 34s Jafox discusses. However, where our experiences differ is in the XLR vs RCA arena. In one configuration of my system the XLR sounded better and in my current system I prefer the RCA cables. So, as always, each person has to make that determination with his/her own ears based on their system, sonic preferences and hearing acuity.

Jafox, I presume you now have the Aria? Sure sounds like a great piece.

Yes, I have had the Aria for 5 or so weeks now. I have spent much time evaluating tubes, and now sending them away to be tried by others so the system is a little "down" at the moment.

The Aria has made me aware of much information on LPs and CDs to a point where I have had to re-tune the system with tube changes to bring on the full capabilities of the Aria.
I went through this same process with the Io and Callisto.

It gets tricky to balance all this new detail and to also retain the dimensionality and bloom that I had for so long with the Io/Callisto. My experience has been that it takes about a month or so to optimize the system. I'm just about there now with the Aria. I will look to do a review on it soon once I can secure the lid with no more tube trials and then focus on the pros and cons of the other gear in house.

John

Thanks for the input John. I know what you mean about re-tuning one's system after a component change. This is why I try not to be a "gear hound" and have had most pieces in my system for years. That said, I am still always amenable to increasing my enjoyment of music if changing a piece will accomplish that goal (as oppposed to the system just being different). I may try to audition the Aria if I can possibly get a chance (assuming Mike will do so or possibly allow me to review it).

Enjoy,

Frank

...once I can secure the lid with no more tube trials...

I can appreaciate that! My speakers got spiked far sooner than my preamp's top was screwed down, and even now that was too soon. Fortunately the MC load resistor terminals reside on the outside of the MP-1's lid - there is another set of listening trials. Having tried the TX2352 (second with me to Audio Note Tantalums) guess I'll want to spring for a few of the Vishay Z201 and TX2575s that MikeE likes. At least these are production tweaks - much easier than finding quiet phono stage tubes.

Lotta interesting options for the WV lineup - which model are you using?

Tim

This is why I try not to be a "gear hound" and have had most pieces in my system for years.

Same here - other than this recent preamp change, the rest of the LP playback system here has been unchanged for over 3 years....excluding tubes and cables.

Frank - Mike E. has an in-house WV. Perhaps he will loan this out. I have suggested this possibility to another A'gon member in SoCal to borrow it. I could loan out to you the tube set that works well for me but I am eager to be done with dickering around with tubes.

Tim - I have the WV5 XL with all the options except the WBT RCA jacks. The cost is high to replace all WV jacks and replacing only a few pairs was not an option to the customer. Perhaps it will be possible to replace a few when the WV goes back for a tweak in the future ... we'll see.

There is a tweak to the phono stage design that I have asked Mike E. to consider. He replied back that it is indeed possible and I am eager to go for it. But it means close to two weeks with the WV away and right now I don't like that. Maybe later this summer.

I can not appreciate the contribution of the TX2575s in the WV as I never heard the WV with the regular resistors. But "this" WV is a resolution powerhouse.

John