Aesthetix IO / Callisto

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Aesthetix IO / Callisto

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New Aesthetix Callisto Signature Line stage.

First pictures anywhere!

New IO Signature, first pictures anywhere!

The Signatures new GOLD caps in the front and large GOLD caps in the output!

Aesthetix Callisto

The best tubed linestage in the world!

Aesthetix Mark II and Signature Series

First introduced at the 1995 Stereophile Show, the Aesthetix Io phono stage and Callisto line stage have earned the reputation as some of the finest in the world, including a Golden Ear Award in 1999. Designer Jim White, formerly General Manager at Theta Digital, now devotes himself full time to his Aesthetix products and is proud to announce the Mark II and Signature versions.

The Mark II feature custom Roederstein resistors, replacing the standard metal film resistors in the earlier version. Custom made coupling caps feature twice the output capacitance to provide deeper bass and the ability to successfully drive lower impedances. The Io Mk. II features matched quad input sets of special 12AX7LP lower noise tubes for even quieter operation and increased dynamics.

The Aesthetix Balanced Volume Controls, found in both the special version of the Io and the

Callisto, now feature 2 layer printed circuit boards resulting in greater conductivity. In addition,

the Io with Volume Controls now features a single ended second input, which is then internally balanced, and dual mono front panel selector switches.

The Power Supply Chassis of the Io and Callisto have an improved high voltage insulated

transformer and both transformers utilize special damping material for lower mechanical noise. Custom Wima bypass capacitors replace standard film caps for improved sound. Many Aesthetix owners select a second power supply chassis for the true dual mono power to the individual

circuit boards in the audio chassis.

The Signature versions use custom-made inter-stage Teflon coupling capacitors, replacing the polypropylene units, with a cost factor of over 15 times greater per unit. Additionally, there are some specialized application very small value Teflon capacitors in the Io Signature. All of the input and output wiring is replaced with specialized Cardas Teflon coated signal wire. The result is a sonic purity, naturalness and transparency furthering the Aesthetix reputation for control, authority and dimensionality. The Signature units obviously take advantage of all of the Mark II advancements. Both original versions and Mark II units can be upgraded to Signature status.

Aesthetix Io

The best phono stage in the world!

Mark II $6,500

Aesthetix Io Mark II with Volume Controls and 2nd input $9,000

Aesthetix Callisto Mark II $9,000

Second Power Supply Mark II $3000

Aesthetix Io Signature $9,000

Aesthetix Io Signature with Volume Controls and 2nd input $11,500

Aesthetix Callisto Signature $11,000

Aesthetix Signature upgrade $3,000

Jupiter Series

Callisto Line Stage and Io Phono Stage

Achieving the perfect balance of sonic attributes, the Aesthetix Callisto and Io imbue the music with breathtaking beauty. The Callisto Line Stage and Io Phono Stage can be used together as a complete pre-amplifier system or separately in line-level only systems, add-on phono, or Io with volume controls as a dedicated phono preamplifier. The Aesthetix Power Supply is the size of a power amplifier. Identical for all Aesthetix audio chassis, each Callisto or Io requires a dedicated Power Supply. Separate umbilical cables feed each channel of the dual mono audio chassis. The Power Supply has two main sections, the heater supply and the primary plus and minus supplies. At the heart of the heater supply is its massive, low flux, 210 VA power transformer which has 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 similar massive 170 VA transformer which feeds a common-mode choke input filtering network and then high current vacuum tube regulators (one EL/34/6CA7, three 12AX7 tubes per regulator). Each regulator is capable of supplying 600 volts at 100mA. There ar two such regulators in the Power Supply. Each separate amplification or buffer stage has its own power supply filtering network and regulated heater supply to isolate individual sections and prevent interaction.

Each Aesthetix unit is hand built. All units undergo a rigorous test procedure, which includes auditioning in a high quality audio system. MSRP: Callisto MKII--$9,000; Io MKII--$6,500; Io MKII w/ volume controls--$9,000

		The Aesthetix High Resolution Volume Control is a 46 position, true balanced constant input impedance stepped attenuator, custom manufactured to our exacting specifications. Aesthetix dual mono circuit boards use one volume control per channel, truly balancing both legs of the signal.


The Callisto Line Stage optimizes both single-ended (RCA) and balanced (XLR) inputs and outputs. The Callisto audio chassis contains one main amplification section and an output buffer section.The first section is a medium gain, low noise, zero feedback (or 6 dB feedback from single ended sources) differential amplifier composed of a 6922 tube and a 12AX7 tube. Lastly, the signal is buffered and sent to the output jacks in balanced form.


		The Io Phono Stage's high gain/low noise, all-tube audio circuitry is capable of successfully amplifying today's ultra-low output moving coil cartridges. Flexible gain and loading adjustments make the Io perfect for all cartridges. Io Phono Stage with Aesthetix volume controls is the ultimate dedicated phono pre-amp for the vinyl connoisseur. The Phono Stage contains three main amplification sections and an output buffer stage. The first section is a high gain, low noise, zero feedback single ended amplifier composed of two specially selected low noise 12AX7 vacuum tubes, This feeds a high gain, low noise differential amplifier (two more 12AX7 tubes) which both amplifies the signal and produces a complementary minus phase signal. Thus, the Io is balanced from the second amplification stage through the output. The signal is then applied to the third amplification section, nearly identical to the second, also sonsisting of two 12AX7 tubes. The RIAA filter is next in the signal path, a purely passive design with the highest grade capacitors and non-inductive wirewound resistors throughout. Back panels reflect true dual mono circuit boards and balanced circuit topology.