Aesthetix Io strange behaviour

I am following this up, and will inform later. I am considering a Io upgrade in a larger context, named "chasing out distortion from my system". Happily my Io is back on line.

Although the Io now works fine, I have decided to ship it to the factory for an upgrade. Having to do without it during the repairs, and using replacements, made me realise that an upgrade will most probably be well worth it in my system, even if it is costly.

Update: I am very happy with the Eclipse upgrade. Although it took a long time to burn in, it now sounds remarkably good. I have never heard a better preamp/phone stage. I had to get a new tube set from Aesthetix since the first one was noisy, but then it worked OK.

Only one complaint really. This is like having a big telescope in your living room - or something equally sensitive. Careful with footfalls! The upgraded Io is extremely sensitive especially to e g electrical conditions, even more than the mk2 version I had before. It clearly wants stability. It should perhaps come with a "do not disturb" sign. I keep it on all the time. I also would have liked even less background noise. Beyond these complaints, however, the Io E to my ears proves the thesis that the preamp is the heart of the system - it gives everything else in the chain a lift too.