Aesthetix IO Eclipse

Re: "careful evaluation in my own home".
I could not agree more. Of course, this is the ideal. However, it cannot always be done. Especially when you move to a top level, and live in a peripheral place, e g Norway. So one has to make informed (hopefully) choices. So far, I have done well, aided - not least - by helpful discussions in this forum. Nine months ago I bought Atmasphere amps, never having listened to them, but having some experience with OTL on my desktop. They replaced a VERY highly regarded solid-state amp. At first I thought it was a flop. They needed run-in, and I needed to adjust my ears. Now, I am very happy with the new amps. I am also buying new speakers, fit for the amps, from Audiokinesis. Have I heard them? No. I buy them, based on the advice from people I trust. Likewise, I have shipped my Io for the Partial Eclipse upgrade (that is, minus the chassis), across the Atlantic, based on advice. Do I know it will work? No. But I am able to make *informed guesses* and that is not least thanks to all you fellow writers, here in this forum.

We all need to make a leap of faith in this process. And you are right, when there is a general, long-term consensus among folks with a variety of different, high quality systems, and input on appropriate related components, the risk is reduced.

O holter
I have listened to Callisto eclipse vs burmester, burmester is I think $28000
Same system in dealer's house . I told him I like Callisto better, more warm and involving. Surely to reach each ear. He did not disagree and said he is with me.

I started with the Io 13 years ago. It had the volume control which is ideal for my setup. Several years later, I upgraded it to the MkII and added the second power supply. Several years after that I upgraded to the Signature version. About 1 1/2 years ago, I did the Eclipse upgrade. Each and every step along the way, the Io got better. Better in terms of lower noise floor, better dynamics, better transparency, more detail, yet more flow and music.

If in doubt, start with a used Io and one power supply. If you like it, they are fully upgradable. As several have pointed out, the Io is very reliable, easy on tubes and the factory support is superb.

Tweaks I made along the way: switched the EL-34s in the power supply to KT-66, replaced the umbilical cables with higher grade wire and lots of shielding. Replaced the stock AC cables with Nordost cables.

The Io sounds best with XLR outputs, much better to my ear than the RCA outputs. If you can run your amps with balanced inputs, that's the way to go.

Old vinyl
Agree xlr so much better,
Chris