Aesthetix Rhea Saturn Series Phono Preamplifier

The Aesthetix Rhea is an all-tube phono stage, suitable for moving coil and moving magnet cartridges. It offers high maximum gain at 75 dB, making it ideal for low output cartridges. The Rhea broke new ground as the first phono stage with 3 phono inputs, the first with gain and loading settings stored in memory for every input, and the first with full remote control adjustability. Dual-mono audio boards provide superb channel separation and soundstaging. A cartridge demagnetiser is a built-in convenience that can also be operated by remote control. The all-aluminium chassis is designed for rigidity and acoustic inertness and the brushed anodized panels give it a sophisticated visual presence. The Rhea has enjoyed worldwide acclaim for its sound quality, build quality, flexibility and ease of use.

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..

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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.

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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.

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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.