Aesthetix Audio Callisto Owners Manual

							 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Callisto 
LINE STAGE 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Aesthetix Audio Corporation 
5220 Gabbert Rd. Suite A i Moorpark, CA. 93021 
Phone: (805) 529-9901  
						

							INTRODUCTION 
 
 
     Thank you for purchasing the Callisto Line Stage.  It has been engineered 
to deliver the highest attainable sound quality from your music sources.  
This is its sole purpose.  Only the highest grade electronic components are 
used in the Callisto, including:  non-inductive wirewound resistors in the 
signal path; polystyrene, polypropylene, and electrolytic power supply, 
bypass, and signal capacitors; low noise matched vacuum tubes; glass epoxy 
dual mono circuit boards; 20 gauge steel chassis; custom wound low flux 
power transformers. 
 
PLACEMENT 
 
 
The Callisto main unit should be located away from possible sources of hum 
such as power cords, power transformers and the like.  It should not be 
located on top of its own power supply or any other heat source such as a 
power amplifier.  It must be kept well ventilated at all times.  If it is 
positioned within an enclosed space then fans may be warranted.  All air 
vents must remain unobstructed.  The power supply is the main source of 
heat and should therefore be positioned for adequate ventilation and away 
from the main unit.  Placement of the power supply immediately below the 
main unit reduces the lifespan of the main unit’s tubes. 
 
 
CONNECTIONS 
 
 
Note:  Never connect power supplys power cord to a wall outlet while 
umbilicals between main unit and power supply are disconnected.   
 
A.  Connect male end of one of the supplied umbilical cables to a power 
output jack on the power supply.  This is a keyed connector so proper 
alignment is necessary for correct pin connection. 
 
B.  Connect female end of the same umbilical cable to a male receptacle on 
the main unit. 
 
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							C.  Connect male end of the other supplied umbilical cable to the remaining 
power output jack on the power supply.   
 
D.  Connect female end of the same umbilical cable to the remaining male 
receptacle on the main unit. 
 
E.  Connect sources to Callisto using either RCA or XLR connectors. 
 
F.  Connect Callisto to the power amplifier using either RCA or XLR 
connectors. 
 
G.  Ensure that the power amplifier is turned off. 
 
H.  Connect power cord of the power supply to an unswitched wall outlet or 
line conditioner. 
 
 
OPERATION
 
*Ensure linestage/preamp and/or power amp are properly muted to prevent 
possible damage to speakers. 
 
A.  Turn power on. 
 
B.  Wait at least ten minutes for power supplies to fully stabilize before 
turning on power amplifier. 
 
C.  Play music from a source. 
 
D.  Slowly increase volume level until desired loudness is attained. 
 
F.  Before turning Callisto off, ensure that the power amplifier is properly 
muted/turned off. 
 
G.  Turn off Callisto. 
 
Unity gain on current production units is 38.  Due to slight variations in tube 
gain, in some units unity gain may be at 37 or 39. 
 
 
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							TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION 
 
 
NOTE:  The following is a detailed technical description of the circuitry 
employed in Callisto. It is intended for technically inclined readers for 
informational purposes only. 
 
     Callisto comprises two separate units, the Linestage stage itself and the 
power supply unit.  The units are connected together via two detachable 
umbilical cords.   
 
     The main unit contains one main amplification section and an output 
buffer section.  The first section is a medium gain, low noise, zero feedback 
(or 6dB feedback from single ended sources) differential amplifier 
composed of a 6922 and a 12AX7.  Lastly, the signal is buffered and sent to 
the output jacks in balanced form.  Each separate amplification section has 
its own power supply filtering network and regulated heater supply to isolate 
the individual sections and prevent them from interacting. 
 
     The Power Supply has two main sections, the heater power supplies and 
the primary plus and minus power supplies.  The heart of the heater supply  
is its massive, low flux, 210 volt-amp power transformer which has no less 
than fourteen separate secondary windings that are individually regulated 
and supply both the power supply and main unit tubes.  The primary high 
voltage supply is composed of a similarly massive 170 volt-amp transformer 
which feeds a common-mode choke input filtering network and then high 
current vacuum tube regulators (one EL34/6CA7, three 12AX7 tubes per 
regulator). 
Each regulator is capable of supplying 600 volts at 100mA.  There are two 
such regulators in the power supply. 
 
 
 
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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 
purchaser will be registered for an extended service contract. The extended service contract extends the 90 
days to a period of 3 years from the date of purchase by the original purchaser or no later than 4 years from 
the date of shipment to the authorized Aesthetix dealer, whichever comes first.  The warranty period for 
factory tubes does not get extended and therefore remains at 90 days. 
 
2.  CONDITIONS 
 This warranty is subject to the following conditions and limitations.  The warranty is void and 
inapplicable if the product has been used or handled other than in accordance with the instructions in the 
owners manual, abused or misused, damaged by accident or neglect or in being transported, or the defect is 
due to the product being repaired or tampered with or modified by anyone other than Aesthetix. The 
product must be packed and returned to Aesthetix by the customer at his or her sole expense.  A returned 
product must be accompanied by a written description of the defect and a photocopy of the original 
purchase receipt.  This receipt must clearly list model and serial number, the date of purchase,  the name 
and address of the purchaser and authorized dealer and the purchase price.  Aesthetix reserves the right to 
modify the design of any product without obligation to purchasers of previously manufactured products 
and to change the prices or specifications of any product without notice or obligation to any person. 
 
3.  REMEDY 
 In the event the above product fails to meet the warranty, and the above conditions have been met, 
the purchasers sole remedy under the limited warranty shall be to return the product to Aesthetix where the 
defect will be rectified without charge for parts or labor. 
 
4.  LIMITED TO ORIGINAL PURCHASER 
 This warranty is for the sole benefit of the original purchaser of the covered product and shall not 
be transferred to a subsequent purchaser of the product. 
 
5.  DURATION OF WARRANTY 
 This warranty expires 90 days after the date of original purchase.  If Aesthetix receives the 
warranty registration card, this period is extended to the third anniversary of the date of purchase or no 
later that the fourth anniversary of the shipment to the authorized Aesthetix dealer, whichever comes first.  
The warranty period for factory tubes does not get extended and therefore remains at 90 days. 
 
6.   MISCELLANEOUS 
 ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES RELATING TO THE ABOVE PRODUCT SHALL BE 
LIMITED TO THE DURATION OF THIS WARRANTY.  THE WARRANTY DOES NOT EXTEND 
TO ANY INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL COSTS OR DAMAGES TO THE PURCHASER.  
Some states do not allow limitations on how long an implied warranty lasts or an exclusion or limitation of 
incidental or consequential damages, so the above limitations or exclusions may not apply to you.  This 
Warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other rights, which vary from state to state. 
 
7.  WARRANTY OUTSIDE THE USA 
 Aesthetix has formal distribution in many of the countries of the free world, in each country the 
Aesthetix importer has contractually accepted the responsibility for product warranty.  Warranty should 
normally be obtained from the importing dealer or distributor from whom you obtain your product. 
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