Aesthetix Audio Io Owners Manual

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Io 
PHONO STAGE 
 
 
 
OWNERS MANUAL 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Aesthetix Audio Corporation 
5220 Gabbert Rd., Suite A ♦ Moorpark, CA. 93021 
Phone: (805) 529-9901 
  

 
 
 
 
INTRODUCTION 
 
 
     Thank you for purchasing the Io Phono Stage.  It has been engineere\
d to deliver the highest 
attainable sound quality from your turntable.  Only the highest grade electronic components are 
used in the Io, including:  non-inductive wirewound resistors in the sig\
nal path; polystyrene, 
polypropylene, and Nichicon electrolytic power supply, bypass, and signa\
l capacitors; low noise 
matched vacuum tubes; glass epoxy dual mono circuit boards; 20 gauge steel chassis;...

 
 
 
 
CONFIGURATION 
 
THE FOLLOWING PROCEDURES SHOULD ONLY BE ATTEMPTED 
WITH THE POWER CORD DISCONNECTED. 
 
INPUT IMPEDANCE: 
 
Note:  If 47K ohms is the desired input impedance, the unit comes factory configured for this 
setting.  The following instructions may be skipped. 
 
 
 
The input impedance of Io may be configured to virtually any useful value.  On the back panel of 
the main unit, locate the section labeled “INPUT IMPEDANCE”.  Two jumpers (and a spare) are 
supplied with Io, one for the...

 
 
 
 
GAIN ADJUSTMENT: 
 
Important note:  Io with volume controls has no internal gain adjustment.  Use volume 
controls. 
 
1.  Ensure that the power cord is disconnected from the Io preamp. 
 
2.  To ensure proper capacitor discharge, wait a minimum of 20 minutes before removing top 
cover. 
 
Inside an Io main unit there are two circuit boards, one for the left channel and one \
for the right.  
Each of these circuit boards contains two jumper blocks, which are used for setting the gain.  
Please...

  
 
Figure 3: Io Preamp Circuit board (1 of 2) 
 
 
 
 
 
  

 
 
 
 
CONNECTIONS 
 
 
 
CAUTION: It is vitally important that you do NOT disconnect the umbilical cables (between 
the power supply and main unit) for AT LEAST 15 MINUTES AFTER TURNING OFF THE 
MAIN POWER SWITCH and removing the AC cord from the power supply. 
 
Note:  Never connect power supplys power cord to a wall outlet while umbilical cables 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...

 
 
 
 
 
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 fifteen minutes for power supplies to fully stabilize before unmuting preamp. 
 
C.  Begin playing record. 
 
D.  If the optional second input is installed, before switching inputs mute the preamp. 
 
E.  Always unmute linestage with volume fully counter-clockwise and then slowly increase the volume until desired listening level is...

 
 
 
 
TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION 
 
 
NOTE:  The following is a detailed technical description of the circuitry employed in the Io. 
It is intended for technically inclined readers for informational purposes only. 
 
     The Io comprises two separate units, the phono stage itself and the power supply un\
it.  The 
units are connected together via two detachable umbilical cords.   
 
     The phono stage contains three main amplification sections and an output buffer section.  
The first section is a high...

 
 
 
 
Io phono stage vacuum tube locations
Back of left channel circuit boardBack of right channel circuit board
Front of left channel circuit board Front of right channel circuit board
XLRXLR
V8V4
V3
V5
V6 V7
Phono 2.3
V2
V1
First gain stage
12AX7LP or 12AX7LP or
E83CCSE83CCS E83CCS
Volume
Control
(Optional)
Second gain stage V3/V4 12AX7 V3/V4 12AX7
or E83CCS or E83CCS
Third gain stage V5/V6 - 12AX7 V5/V6 - 12AX7
or E83CCS or E83CCS
6922
6SN7
Output stage
XLR
XLR
V8V4
V3
V5
V6 V7
V2
V1
First gain...

 
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...