Amp/Preamp Asylum: REVIEW: Aesthetix Io/Callisto Preamplifier (Tube) by maxim

Model:	Io/Callisto
Category:	Preamplifier (Tube)
Suggested Retail Price:	$6500./$9000.
Description:	Pure Tube Phono/Line Preamps
Manufacturer URL:	Aesthetix
Model Picture:	View

Review by maxim on March 27, 2010 at 09:12:48
IP Address: 195.210.138.130 Add Your Review
for the Io/Callisto

(This is a review of Callisto only, I may post a review of Io later.)
About seven months ago I installed a new preamplifier in my system, Aesthetix Callisto MkII. It replaced ML32 that was resident for 5+ years. For about two months I was seriously depressed. I cursed myself for buying without listening and wondered how much money I may recover when I sell Callisto. I thought this preamp was just wrong. It went squarely against most of the important things I thought I knew about preamps. No, it was not neutral, not a 'straight wire with gain'. It transformed the sound of my system completely, adding things there were never there before. And terrible, awful ergonomics.

However, gradually I learned that the preamp simply played music, maybe better than any other component I ever had in my system. Playing music is its only purpose and objective, everything else is compromised. Having gone through a big adjustment, I am now a very happy owner. Details below.

Low marks in the looks department. Spartan and unassuming if you want to flatter, dull, boring and ugly if you don’t.

Next, ergonomics. Honestly, a complete disaster. To begin with, Callisto is NOT quiet. When the preamp is on, but no music is played, the sh-sh-sh-sh sound is LOUD from the listening position. However, I don't hear it when I play the music.

Next, there is no standby or anything: the preamp is either fully on or off. And it needs about 15 minutes to warm up.

Callisto produces a lot of heat from both chassis, so be sure to provide for a lot of shelf space. Not only that, be prepared for a global warming in your listening room. In mine – which is not so small at 30+m2 – the average temperatures went up some 3-6C. (To be honest the two chassis of the Io phono preamp contributed as much.)

Ergonomics continued: no mute button. No mono button. Just volume control and source selection – each with two (!) rotary knobs, as befit a truly dual mono thing. The volume controls have rather large steps, probably around .5 dbs (quite a change from ML32’s .1db steps). And both controls are noisy: plenty of clicks and pops when you turn them. Balance control is by manipulating the two mono volume controls. (But if you buy the motorised remote control -- which I did not – you can do volume, balance, and mute (not sure about source selection) from your listening position).

To finish with ergonomics, there are about 12 bolts to unscrew to install tubes and then screw again. If you have a suggestion how to make ergonomics any worse – in a properly functioning device – please let me know, I am running short of ideas.

Now, the sound. After Callisto arrived, my big scare immediately was that I had too much bass. All of a sudden the lower registers of most of my recordings jumped on me. Some previously lean ones became pleasantly full, others turned boomy. But after a while, I reached a truce of sorts with Callisto: some break in on his (her?) part, some adjustment on mine. I tend to think I had no bass in my system before with ML32. Now I have it in spades. Occasionally it goes overboard. But I tend to think it is the recording, not the system. In the majority of cases the music I listen to now has solid foundation – be it symphony, classical piano, or rock-n-roll.

Even putting bass aside, IMHO Callisto is not neutral. I believe it adds things. But the kind of things it adds to music are the things I don’t think I can have too much of, I can only have too little.

For one, it increased the drive of the music reproduction (or call it PRAT) dramatically from what I had before. But can you really have too much drive? I can’t. An example: there was a thread recently on Music Asylum about the terrible sound of Led Zeppelin CDs. That is what I thought also BC (before Callisto). Not any more. With Callisto, Led Zep CDs have come alive on my system like never before. I believe Led Zep music is mostly about their incredible drive, and maybe not much else really. If your system gets the drive right, you might enjoy them, if not, no way.

Another possible additive of Callisto is the macro dynamics. Bruckner lovers, look no further! Your FFFFs will be louder, pppps quieter, and every in-between gradation in dynamics so much more pronounced and palpable. Many symphony recordings I thought were good sound outstanding now. Many so-so recordings sound good. (But the really terrible remain terrible, really.)

Overall, the sound has no negatives (the only question mark may remain is bass) and is on a totally different level now. Most importantly, casual listening is almost impossible. I put on a CD or an LP and more often than not Callisto grabs my attention completely. I feel I am forced to put down my newspaper, or book, or laptop and get drowned in the music flow …

Callisto was a paradigm changing component for me. But YMMV. Be prepared for a radical change in the sound of your system. You may not accept the (lack of) ergonomics. But you may also find yourself transported to heaven. Try before you buy.

Product Weakness:	ergonomics (but it does not matter really)
Product Strengths:	it plays music!

Associated Equipment for this Review:

Amplifier: ML33H
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): Callisto/Io
Sources (CDP/Turntable): AR CD3 MkII; SME10/IV Lyra
Speakers: Wilson Audio Sophia
Cables/Interconnects: Cardas Golden Reference
Music Used (Genre/Selections): Mostly classical, some rock
Other (Power Conditioner etc.): Nordost Thor
Type of Audition/Review: Product Owner

Amplifier:	ML33H
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	Callisto/Io
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	AR CD3 MkII; SME10/IV Lyra
Speakers:	Wilson Audio Sophia
Cables/Interconnects:	Cardas Golden Reference
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Mostly classical, some rock
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	Nordost Thor
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner