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Preamp for Aesthetix / Atma-sphere

Hi

I have the Aesthetix Io Eclipse with volume and dual power supplies, Atma-sphere MA-1 monoblocs (140 watts) and Audiokinesis Dream Maker (93 db sensitive) speakers. These are great components. My question is about system synergy, how to make them play together.

I have been running the Io direct to my amps since I first bought the Mk2 version back in 2004. At the time, I had a Krell FPB600, and in that context, it was a blessing, and a great step up from the Krell KAV 250p preamp. I'll never forget my first impression with the Io - it was like going from the wooded hills up into the mountains. There was no going back.

With volume, the Io functions as a preamp. It looks like a preamp. Someone here on A-gon said going direct is best - which I interpreted as: it IS a preamp! So I thought, OK I have a combined phono and preamp - problem fixed. But it wasn't.

From recent testing I have finally become convinced that the Io does benefit from a separarate preamp. Even if clarity and detail is better going direct from the Io to the amps, the punch and "here-ness" of the music is clearly better with a preamp in the chain, at least in my system.

Trouble is, which preamp? I am testing a small solid state Musical Innovation preamp, which helps with the punch but veils the music. An optimal solution might be the Aesthetix Callisto, preferably with dual power - but I don't have the space, and I already have a lot of tubes and tube heat. I have space for one or possibly two boxes.

From what I have heard so far, a solid state might do the job well (in my tube-rich context), however it should not impart any s-state artifacts or reduce the resolution from the Io Eclipse.

The ideal would be to test a few tube and s-state preamps, and then decide. However, this is difficult where I live, so advice is welcome.

My question relates to my own setup of course, but is relevant for everyone with a top phono stage on the one hand and amps on the other. What is best in the middle?

From recent testing I have learned that problems that I thought were related to the speakers, the phono pre, the pickup and so on, were in fact related to the preamp issue. For example, the Dream Makers straight from the Io may sound a bit lazy and washed out in the bass, very clear in mid and treble but not fully embodied. Plugging in the solid state pre, the situation becomes dramatically different, now the speakers are driving, propulsive. Very enjoyable, but some detail is lost and some transistor things added that I don't want.

So I am looking for a solution with most of the plusses, and not much of the minuses. The preamp must be fully balanced with XLR in / out.
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Ag insider logo xs@2xo_holter
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o_holter OP
977 posts
 
Cerrot; yes its a tough life - glad to hear you found a way.
Nkj: I certainly recognize what you are describing. The Io Eclipse with dual power can sound breathtaking direct to the amps. Dynamics. Clarity. I used it with a Krell FPB600 to great effect, and later the Atma MA-1s. It was only gradually that I came to realize something was missing, especially after a friend who works with recording / pro audio had visited and said "something is wrong - the system doesn't grab the speaker drivers in the right way". I gradually understood that problems attributed to other causes had to do with the lack of a preamp. So I tested with some pro preamps borrowed from my friend, and went up the line, ending with the Einstein for now. It is hard for me to put the finger on it, exactly. I can only say, the music feels more "right". I know that Aesthetix uses the term "headroom" to describe the difference by adding a preamp - they say it will be better, provided that the pre is absolutely top class (think of a Jupiter moon).
audiolabyrinth's avatar
audiolabyrinth
4,555 posts
 
Thankyou Albertporter for your reply, very imformative!, I will write down this info and the Telefunken info, I do not like going down this rabbit Hole of tube rolling, Exspensive going thru so many tubes to get it right!, so I am going to attemt to get it right the first time, My player consist of three 12ax7 tubes, and one 12au7 tube, Do they make a cbs Hytron for the 12ax7?
audiolabyrinth's avatar
audiolabyrinth
4,555 posts
 
@ O_holter, I look forward to your comparison of the CBS Hytron versus the Telefunken tube, what year and type of Telefunken 12AX7 tube do you have?
albertporter's avatar
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albertporter
4,949 posts
 

My player consist of three 12ax7 tubes, and one 12au7 tube, Do they make a CBS Hytron for the 12ax7?

Like many vintage tubes, not all types are created equal. I prefer other 12AX7 over the CBS Hytron but which brand depends on circuit design.

For the Aesthetix IO it was Telefunken in 12AX7 position, Mullard 6922 in the 6DJ8/6922 position and (ONLY) the RCA red base 5692 in the 6SN7 position.

There are other options and only listening will tell what suits your taste and system best but these are top flight contenders and should be considered.
syntax's avatar
syntax
2,193 posts
 
When I did own Callisto Sign. I had a lot of problems to find amps which matched. Of course, I heard something, but there was no bite, no speed, no kick, no grip, a touch lifeless, always...and such a result I had with Atma-Sphere M-60 with a 98dB speaker Design. I can't recommend such a pairing (based on my kind of Listening Standard). I think, the Preamp from Atma-Sphere for the MA-1 is the way to go. Had nothing to do with the speaker, the X-Over was very simple and the speaker was easy to go, the M-60 had more than enough power...I don't share the Aesthetix enthusiasm, when you want to go for it, I recommend to loan it somewhere first.
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