Aesthetix Rhea User Manual

Rhea

PHONO STAGE

Aesthetix Audio Corporation

5220 Gabbert Rd., Suite A ♦ Moorpark, CA. 93021

Phone: [phone]

INTRODUCTION

Thank you for purchasing the Rhea Phono Stage. The Rhea is a groundbreaking audio
component which combines sonic quality, innovative features and build quality with
lineage directly traceable to the reference Io phono stage. Rhea contains solid state
circuitry but all of its amplification is achieved using vacuum tubes, with enough gain for
the lowest output moving coils.

Rhea’s advanced microprocessor-based control circuitry is fully inactive when not in use
i.e. when not receiving a command from the user, resulting in no ill effects on sound
quality. Each of its three inputs can be selected on the front panel, and each input can
have its own gain and loading setting. Unique among any audio product, the Rhea
contains a built in demagnetizer which allows the user to demagnetize any time with just
the touch of a button.

The massive power supply consists of a high voltage transformer, heater transformer, and
high voltage choke. All of the magnetics are shielded by a stainless steel transformer
cover that also performs double duty as the structural truss. The high voltage power
supply is regulated with a discrete transistor based regulator. The low voltage solid state
power supplies are discretely regulated.

Only the highest quality components are used in the Rhea, including Roederstein
resistors, RelCap film capacitors, Mercury Magnetics transformers and Nichicon audio
grade electrolytic capacitors.

We hope you enjoy many years of music using the Rhea phonostage.

PLACEMENT

Rhea should be located away from possible sources of hum such as power cords, power
transformers and the like.

Ventilation is critical for reliability. It should not be located on top of any heat source
such as a power amplifier. If it is positioned within an enclosed space then fans may be
warranted. All air vents must remain unobstructed. A minimum of 4 inches of space
above Rhea is required.

2

CONNECTIONS

1) Connect one or more cartridges to the Rhea’s inputs. Only shielded cables are
recommended. Multiple turntables are supported as well as multiple arms on the
same turntable.

2) Using either the single-ended (RCA) or balanced (XLR) outputs, connect the Rhea to
your Aesthetix linestage, or whatever preamp you are using while awaiting delivery
of your Aesthetix linestage. (Yes, this is a joke. Rhea is suitable for use with any
preamplifier). Use of balanced connections will yield 6dB more gain, if the following
preamplifier properly supports balanced connections.

3) Connect the turntable and/or tonearm ground wires to the banana jack on the rear
panel of the Rhea. This jack is labeled “ground”.

4) Connect the supplied IEC power cord to the back of the Rhea and to an unswitched,
grounded AC outlet. Line conditioners may be used with the unit. Ensure the
maximum power of the conditioner is not being exceeded.

OPERATION

STANDBY

AC power is applied to the unit by pressing on the left side of the power switch, when
viewed from the front of the unit. When Rhea has power applied for the first time, it will
first display the installed software version on the LED display for two seconds, then
automatically enter the standby mode. While in standby, power is applied to all circuits
except the vacuum tube heaters. The high voltage supply is reduced to a level that is safe
for the vacuum tubes. All solid state circuitry in the Rhea remains powered. Anytime
Rhea is in standby, the standby light will be illuminated.

Pressing the standby button will take Rhea out of standby. The standby light will blink
for 30 seconds, during which time the heater supplies will be energized and the high
voltage supply will rise to operational levels. After the warm-up period, the standby light
will extinguish and the input will be displayed, and the mute light will be illuminated
indicating the Rhea is muted.

Place Rhea in standby when not in use.

INPUT SELECTION

Press any of the three input selection buttons to select the desired input (1,2 or 3). Input
selection is not possible when adjusting gain or loading.

3