Aesthetix ABCD-1 Demagnetizer
🔊 Sound Advice?
Aesthetix ABCD-1 Demagnetizer
22 Saint Kilda Road
22 Saint Kilda Road
Suite 2.02
St Kilda VIC 3182
Australia
Aesthetix
USA
ABCD-1 MC CARTRIDGE DEMAGNETIZER
The first American designed and manufactured cartridge demagnetizer, the ABCD-1, keeps your analog front-end sounding its best. Once a week, simply plug in your turntable leads to the ABCD-1, then activate the gently ramped, up-and-down cycle of the ultra-pure demagnetizing signal.
The Aesthetix ABCD-1 was designed to meet a specific need in today's marketplace: an affordable MC cartridge demagnetizer which restores your cartridge's potential without residual sonic signature. Periodically demagnetizing a moving coil cartridge removes the "veils" which creep up as you enjoy your record collection. Simply put, these veils are the result of compromised electromagnetic performance of your phono cartridge. The Aesthetix ABCD-1 eliminates these veils, recovering the dynamics, nuance and emotion of your favorite LPs. The Aesthetix ABCD-1 is battery powered for ease of use and worldwide operation.
To better understand how the ABCD-1 works, remember that a moving coil phono cartridge is basically a coil of wire wound around a piece of iron (or ferrous material) suspended within a magnetic field. This electrical generator is activated by the phono stylus in the record groove, moving the wire coil and thus generating a signal to be amplified and reproduced by your loudspeakers. Think back to a simple science experiment placing a pin against a strong magnet for a few minutes. Afterwards, the pin, which is made of ferrous material, becomes magnetized enough to attract another pin.
Today's best moving coil phono cartridges use very strong magnets such as neodymium and samarium cobalt. When the moving coil absorbs some of the magnet's charge, the sound becomes murky and less defined. This is because the magnetized coil does not generate as great a variation as it moves within the magnetic field of the phono cartridge.
The ABCD-1 neutralizes the unwanted magnetic charge of the moving coil, restoring full performance in a matter of minutes. Demagnetizing your moving coil cartridge with the Aesthetix ABCD-1 every 1 - 2 weeks will prolong the life of your phono cartridge, increasing your enjoyment and appreciation of the music.
The Rhea has the following features:
- Three RCA inputs.
- Each input has its own gain and loading setting that is saved even when in standby mode or the unit is turned off.
- Zero feedback.
- 40-75dB gain maximum, selectable via front panel or remote control.
- 9 MC loading settings: 75-47,000 ohms, selectable via front panel or remote control.
- Remote control of gain, loading, input switching, mute, and demagnetizer.
- Built-in MC cartridge demagnetizer.
- Two sets of XLR and two sets of RCA outputs per channel.
- All tube amplification and output (10 tubes total).
- Full function remote included.
All of this attention to detail has resulted in a phono preamplifier that transcends what is normally expected from an audiophile piece of equipment. The Rhea scales heights that are normally the realm of uber-expensive products and it does it with ease. Sound quality is the prime objective here and the Rhea is a phenomenal achievement. This value for money quality is spoken about in all the audio press and the Rhea has accumulated many awards & accolades. These reasons are why Aesthetix products have developed a passionate following around the world.
Select a Specification to Suit Your Needs
The Rhea is available in 3 versions, depending on the level of specification required.
Rhea
- Tube linestage using high-grade Rel-Cap polypropylene coupling capacitors.
- Standard edition.
Rhea Signature Series
- The Aesthetix Rhea Signature version uses custom-made inter-stage Teflon hybrid coupling capacitors, replacing the polypropylene units, between the 2nd and 3rd, and 3rd and 4th, gain stages (4 total per channel). The change in these capacitors results in higher resolution, extension, less grain and more air.
- The 2uF coupling capacitor between the 1st and 2nd gain stages is replaced with a 4uF Dynamicap by Peter Moncrief (1 per channel). This change removes grain and provides more openness, while also increasing bass dynamics and slam.
- The 2uF output coupling capacitors (4 per channel) are also replaced with 4uF Dynamicaps. This change provides more drive, bass extension, resolution and dynamics while also reducing grain.
- Highly specialized adjustable air-core capacitors, used primarily in the radio-frequency realm, are installed and adjusted to “tweek” each unit to a rigid standard.
- The five rubber feet are replaced with Harmonic Resolutions Systems’ Nimbus Couplers specially made for Aesthetix (Earlier Signature Saturn pieces did not incorporate this, please contact Aesthetix for this free upgrade if you have an earlier Signature piece without the Nimbus Couplers). This change results in a lower noise floor and more air and space.
- The cost of these specialized parts alone is about 1/4 the manufacturing cost of a brand new unit!
- Any tubes that can be bettered by our special stock of graded and matched tubes are replaced. Any other improvements needed to make the unit current are installed, including software updates, etc.
- A new lens with “SIGNATURE” stenciled is installed. Each Signature unit undergoes rigorous test procedures and listening.
Rhea Eclipse Series
- Internal changes to the Rhea start with .22uF / 600v Stealth coupling capacitors used between the second and third gain stages, and the third gain stage and output stage. Eight total of these exotic capacitors are used.
- There are four 2uF / 400v coupling capacitors used in each channel of the output stage of the Rhea. In the Eclipse version, these are replaced with Stealth copper foil 4uF/400v, improving low frequency response. This capacitor is also used between the first and second gain stages.
- High frequency tuning capacitors are installed and hand-adjusted to tailor the frequency response to a tight .1dB standard (as also found on the Signature version).
- The high voltage transformer, heater transformer and high voltage choke are all re-installed on isolation mounts. Harmonic Resolutions Systems’ Nimbus Couplers specially made for Aesthetix replace the four rubber feet of standard units (as also found on the Signature version).
- The new power supply is installed with enhanced ventilation. Additional damping material is added to key chassis points.
- A single point ground system is used to ground the transformer cases as they are no longer electrically grounded to the chassis via physical contact due to their isolation mounts. All Eclipse Rhea, Calypso and Janus units receive a new power supply, which has been refined by improved trace routing to further reduce extraneous noise.
Awards
Reviews
The Absolute Sound, Robert Harley, 2009
As great a phonostage as the Rhea is, the Signature version is on another level of performance. Yes, it’s nearly twice the price, but the Signature is that much better. If you already own the Rhea, upgrading to the Signature will give you a new perspective on your record collection and favourite music. It did for me..
Ultra Audio, Peter Roth, 2009
The standard Rhea deserves the accolades it has received over the years and continues to prove a value leader. That it now marks the beginning of an upgrade path makes it a fantastic musical investment. Which takes us to the Rhea Signature, shining brighter than Saturn itself on a clear night. The Rhea Signature has elevated my system’s ability to transfix and transport me, and is well worth the surcharge, if you can swing it. I have no need to consult an astrologer to know the future. It is here: The Rhea Signature has become my reference system’s new phono preamplifier.
Stereophile, Paul Bolin, 2003
The Rhea tells a striking amount of musical and sonic truth and is, in terms of sound alone, intensely lovable. Did I notice the difference when the Steelhead or Io Signature went back in the system? Sure. But the Rhea has enough of all the qualities that make the megabucks competition so special to make it a source of constant musical joy. Not once did I feel that the Rhea short changed any LP I heard through it. That, together with the too-cool-for-school remote functions, multiple inputs, built-in cartridge demagnetizer (for those of that persuasion), and first-class presentation, make it worthy of a wildly enthusiastic recommendation. This one, cats and kittens, is killer good.
Product Specification
| Item | Phono Preamplifier |
|---|---|
| Inputs | 3 discrete phono inputs with RCA (SE) |
| Outputs | 2 RCA (SE) and 2 XLR (balanced) |
| Gain Settings | 8 total; 75, 68, 62, 56, 50, 44, 38 dB, and off (selectable for each input) |
| Load Settings | 9 total: 47 K ohms, 10K, 5K, 2.5K, 1K, 500 ohms, 250, 125, and 75 ohms (selectable for each input) |
| Output Impedance | 1K ohms RCA (SE), 600 ohms XLR (balanced) |
| Front Panel Controls | Phono input, mute, gain, loading, demagnetiser and standby |
| Remote Controls | Phono input, mute, gain, loading, demagnetiser and standby |
| Frequency Response | ±0.25 dB, 20 Hz – 20 kHz |
| Signal to Noise | Measured at 70 dB minimum A-weighted (ref 1 mV input, 75 dB gain setting) |
| Recommended Load | 10 k ohms or greater |
| Tubes (per channel) | V1 & V2 (12AX7LP-factory graded low noise), V3 & V4 (12AX7 or equivalent) and V5 (6922) |
| Power Consumption | 20 watts standby, 100 watts active |
| Dimensions | 457 (W) x 111 (H) x 457 (D) mm including jacks |
| Weight | 18.2 kg |
| Finish | Black or Silver |
| Warranty | 3 years, non-transferable. |
