Aesthetix METIS Linestage User manual

Aesthetix Audio Corporation
5220 Gabbert Rd., Suite A  Moorpark, CA. 93021
Phone: [phone]
M E T I S
Linestage
Owner’s Manual

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The lightning flash with arrowhead symbol, within an equilateral triangle,
is intended to alert the user to the presence of un-insulated “dangerous
voltage” within the product’s enclosure that may be of significant
magnitude to constitute a risk of electric shock to persons.
The exclamation point within an equilateral triangle is intended to alert
the user to the presence of important operating and maintenance
(servicing) instructions in the literature accompanying the product.
WARNING
TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR ELECTRIC SHOCK,
DO NOT EXPOSE THIS PRODUCT TO RAIN OR MOISTURE
CAUTION: TO PREVENT ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT USE THE AC (POLARIZED) PLUG WITH AN
EXTENSION CORD, RECEPTACLE OR OTHER OUTLET UNLESS THE BLADES CAN BE FULLY INSERTED
TO PREVENT BLADE EXPOSURE.
Extension cords are not recommended for use with this product.

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PREFACE
INTRODUCTION
This manual covers the use of the Metis, using references to the hand held remote which has
a separate owner’s manual.
Thank you for purchasing the Metis Line Preamplifier. It has been engineered to deliver the
highest attainable sound quality. This is its sole purpose. Only the highest grade electronic
components are used in the Metis, including: non-inductive Roederstein metal film resistors
in the signal path; polystyrene, polypropylene, and electrolytic power supply, bypass, and
signal capacitors; low noise matched vacuum tubes; glass epoxy circuit boards; 16 gauge
aluminum chassis; custom wound low flux power transformers. The Metis has an internal
floating power supply which is isolated from the chassis when placed on a stand. The only
contact with the rest of the unit is the transformer wires connected the power supply circuit
board.
PLACEMENT
The Metis should be located away from possible sources of hum such as power cords, power
transformers and the like. It should not be located near any other heat source such as a
power amplifier or power supply. It must be kept well ventilated any time it is on. If it is
positioned within an enclosed space then fans may be warranted. All air vents must remain
unobstructed. It must be installed on a flat surface that is in contact with all 4 round Nimbus
Couplers.
BURN IN TIME
This unit has a break in period of about 400 hours during which continuous improvement in
sound quality will be observed.

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IMPORTANT
Save all packaging in a dry place away from fire hazards. Your Metis is a precision electronic
instrument and should be properly packaged any time shipment is made. In the unlikely
event that you have to return your Metis to the factory for service, or if you send it to us for
updating, the original packaging will best protect the unit from shipping damage.
In order to achieve the fullest flexibility and enjoyment from your Metis, we highly recommend
that you read this and the separate Remote manual in full before connecting the unit to your
audio system.
Note: It is imperative that the Metis be operated in a well ventilated environment and the
immediate external temperature be maintained as specified. External cooling fans
may be required in some cases. Do not stack any equipment directly above or
below the Metis to protect it from overheating, as well as the continued functionality
of any equipment near and around it.
WARNING
United States law prohibits disposition of these commodities to Libya, Laos, North Korea,
Cambodia, Syria or Cuba unless otherwise authorized by the United States.
AFTER MARKET and THIRD PARTY MODIFICATIONS
Please note that any aftermarket and/or third party modifications will void the warranty.
There are Harmonic Resolution Nimbus Couplers in the corners of the main chassis, and 2
Aesthetix feet on the power supply. The height difference between them is critical and must
be maintained at all times for the floating power supply feature to function as designed.
Please do not change the feet.
Manual Conventions
 2017-20 Aesthetix Audio Corporation. All rights reserved. Written and Illustrated by Glenn
Buckley
No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means,
electronic or mechanical, for any purpose, without the express written permission of
Aesthetix Audio Corporation.

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SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
Please carefully read each item of the operating instructions and safety precautions before
installing and using this product. Use extra care to follow the warnings written on the product
itself and/or in the operating instructions. Keep the operating instructions and safety precautions
for future reference.
CAUTION: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRICAL SHOCK, DO NOT REMOVE ANY OF THE COVER
PANELS.
NO USER-SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE. REFER ALL SERVICING TO QUALIFIED SERVICE PERSONNEL
ONLY.
TO PREVENT FIRE OR SHOCK HAZARD, DO NOT ALLOW LIQUIDS TO SPILL OR OBJECTS TO FALL
INTO ANY OPENINGS OF THE PRODUCT.
THIS UNIT IS SUPPLIED WITH A 3 PIN GROUNDED AC PLUG. ALWAYS INSERT THE AC PLUG INTO A
GROUNDED OUTLET. DO NOT REMOVE THE GROUND PIN OR DISABLE THE GROUND FOR ANY
PURPOSE.
BEFORE MAKING ANY CONNECTIONS TO THE METIS, FIRST TURN OFF THE POWER AND THEN
DISCONNECT THE AC POWER CORD.
WHEN INSTALLING THE METIS IN YOUR SYSTEM, MAKE CERTAIN TO ALLOW A MINIMUM OF 4
INCHES OF VENTILATION ON EACH SIDE OF THE UNIT. ALSO ALLOW AT LEAST 3 INCHES OF
VENTILATION SPACE ABOVE THE UNIT. IMPROPER VENTILATION OF THE UNIT MAY CAUSE
OVERHEATING, WHICH MAY DAMAGE THE UNIT AND CAUSE A FIRE. PLACE THE UNIT ON A SOLID
SURFACE ONLY. I.E. NOT ON CARPET, ETC.
DO NOT PLACE THE METIS NEAR HEAT SOURCES SUCH AS DIRECT SUNLIGHT, STOVES, HEAT
REGISTERS, RADIATORS OR OTHER HEAT PRODUCING EQUIPMENT.
IF REPLACEMENT OF THE AC LINE FUSE BECOMES NECESSARY, REPLACE ONLY WITH SAME VALUE
AND TYPE OF FUSE. NEVER BYPASS THE FUSE. IF USING NON FACTORY FUSES, PLEASE CONTACT
THE FACTORY FOR NECESSARY PRECAUTIONS.
IF THE AC CORD BECOMES DAMAGED, DO NOT USE IT. IMMEDIATELY REPLACE IT WITH A NEW ONE
OF THE SAME OR BETTER RATING.
IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT THE METIS BE OPERATED IN A WELL VENTILATED ENVIRONMENT AND THE
IMMEDIATE EXTERNAL TEMPERATURE BE MAINTAINED AS SPECIFIED. EXTERNAL COOLING FANS
MAY BE REQUIRED IN SOME CASES. DO NOT STACK ANY EQUIPMENT DIRECTLY ABOVE OR BELOW
THE METIS AS TO PROTECT IT FROM OVERHEATING, AS WELL AS THE CONTINUED FUNCTIONALITY
OF ANY EQUIPMENT NEAR AND AROUND IT.
IF THE TOP COVER HAS TO BE REMOVED, FIRST TURN OFF THE REAR PANEL POWER SWITCH,
DISCONNECT THE AC CORD AND THEN WAIT A MINIMUM OF 15 MINUTES.

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Table Of Contents
PREFACE ...................................................................................................................... 3
INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................... 3
PLACEMENT ................................................................................................................. 3
BURN IN TIME .............................................................................................................. 3
IMPORTANT .................................................................................................................. 4
WARNING ...................................................................................................................... 4
AFTER MARKET and THIRD PARTY MODIFICATIONS .............................................. 4
Manual Conventions ....................................................................................................... 4
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS ..................................................................................................... 5
The Hand Held Remote ........................................................................................................ 7
Metis Front Panel Layout ...................................................................................................... 7
Rear Panel Layout ................................................................................................................ 8
CONNECTIONS ................................................................................................................... 9
AC Power: ......................................................................................................................... 9
Initial Setup .................................................................................................................... 10
Standby ........................................................................................................................... 10
Introduction to the User Interface ....................................................................................... 11
OPERATION .................................................................................................................... 12
Main Menu ....................................................................................................................... 12
Tape In ............................................................................................................................ 12
Phase .............................................................................................................................. 12
Balance ........................................................................................................................... 12
Display ............................................................................................................................. 12
Setup ............................................................................................................................... 12
Setup General .................................................................................................................... 13
Tape Out ......................................................................................................................... 14
Start Level. ...................................................................................................................... 14
Max Level. ....................................................................................................................... 14
Trigger ............................................................................................................................. 14
IR (Infrared) ..................................................................................................................... 15
Set Up Display (Advanced Display Functionality) ............................................................ 15
Restoring the Factory Settings ........................................................................................ 15
Setup Input .................................................................................................................... 16
Input On/Off ..................................................................................................................... 16
Input Level ....................................................................................................................... 16
Home Theater Bypass ..................................................................................................... 17
Input Name ...................................................................................................................... 17
RS232 ............................................................................................................................. 17
Appendix A Troubleshooting Guide ................................................................................ 18
Appendix B Menu Map ................................................................................................... 19
Appendix C RS232 Pinout .............................................................................................. 20
Appendix D Specifications .............................................................................................. 21

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The Hand Held Remote
The HRC-3 remote is shipped in “Transport” mode, which essentially turns it off. This disables the motion sensor
feature during transportation and preserves battery life.
Please completely read the separate HRC-3 Remote Control Owner’s Manual before using it.
* * *
Metis Front Panel Layout
Figure 1 – Metis Front Panel Layout
1. Left knob. Turn to change the current Input when in the Main Menu. Press to enter sub menus and turn to
change sub menus as outlined in this manual.
2. STANDBY button. After the rear panel Main Power switch is turned on, press the illuminated front panel Standby
button in the center of the logo to exit the standby mode. Pressing this button again will put the
Metis into Standby and illuminate the button LEDs.
3. LED Display. All menus/sub menus are displayed in Appendix B.
4. Right knob. Turn to change the master volume and Press to Mute/un-mute when in the Main menu. It is also
pressed and turned to enter sub menus and edit parameter as outlined in this manual.

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Rear Panel Layout
Figure 2- Rear Panel Layout
1. Right channel balanced and single-ended Tape Output jacks.
2. Right channel balanced and single-ended Tape Input jacks.
3. Right channel balanced and single-ended Line Input jacks.
4. Main fuse. Replace with same type and rating only. (Spare fuse inside).
5. AC power input connector.
6. Main Power switch. Disconnects AC to all circuits. It is recommended that this be left on at all times during
regular use with the exception of whenever cables are connected/disconnected or when the unit is not going
to be used for an extended period of time.
7. Left channel Input and Output jacks.
8. Right channel Phono input jacks and ground connector. (Optional).
9. Right channel balanced and single-ended Main Output jacks.
10. IR extender input jack. Connect external IR receiver to this input.
11. DB9 RS232 connector. Used for connecting a system control device to the Metis to control and monitor its
functions.
12. Remote Trigger jack. When set to do so, as the Standby button is pressed to take the Metis out of standby,
the rear panel trigger jack becomes active with a 5 VDC signal. A compatible receiving device such as the
Atlas Power amplifier will receive this signal and then change its mode from standby to operate. When the
Standby button is pressed again the signal goes to 0V and puts the receiving device into standby mode. The
Remote Trigger Jack can also be setup as a trigger input, which when receiving a 5VDC signal, takes the
Metis out of standby.

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CONNECTIONS
CAUTION: Make all input and output connections before turning on the rear panel Main Power switch.
Mute or turn off the power amplifier when connecting/disconnecting cables.
- - - - = Optional Connection
Figure 3 - Rear Panel Layout showing connections
AC Power:
The Metis may be plugged directly into an un-switched wall outlet. Although proprietary RFI (radio-frequency
interference) filtering is built into the Metis, in some situations an AC power-line filter may provide additional
sonic benefits.
* * *

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Initial Setup
With the AC cord disconnected, remove the Metis top cover by first removing the two Philips
screws on the rear panel closest to the top, then lift each rear corner one at a time – going back
and forth between left and right. It is fastened with a stiff double-sided interlocking material.
Install 4 tubes into the Metis. See Metis Tube Guide. Afterwards, replace the top cover and secure it using the
same 2 Philips screws.
Connect all sources to the Metis rear panel inputs,
If used, connect a trigger cable to the device that the Metis standby will either control, or be controlled by.
Connect the Metis outputs to the Power amplifier inputs.
Ensure that the power amplifiers are off or muted prior to making connections to, and tuning on the Metis rear
panel power switch.
Turn on the rear panel power switch.
Note: The hand held remote is shipped in “Transport” mode (off). It must first be set to Active. Please refer to the
remote owner’s manual. See the Metis Remote Owner’s Manual.
If it’s not already, install one battery in the hand held remote control. Note that a remote extender is included to
extend the remote range, if necessary.
CAUTION! To avoid loud pops and possible speaker damage, turn on all other system components
before taking the Mimas out of standby.
Standby
The Metis will boot up into Standby. Pressing the blue Standby button will initiate the startup process, in which
the blue LED will blink for a few minutes before displaying the Main Menu.