Aesthetix MIMAS User manual

Aesthetix Audio Corporation
5220 Gabbert Rd., Suite A  Moorpark, CA. 93021
Phone: [phone]
Hybrid Integrated Amplifier
Owner’s Manual
PLEASE READ THIS DOCUMENT IN ITS ENTIRETY BEFORE USING
THE MIMAS.

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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
Thank you for purchasing the Mimas Integrated amplifier. It has been engineered to deliver the highest
attainable sound quality from your music sources. This is its sole purpose. Only the highest grade electronic
components are used in the Mimas, 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 dual mono circuit boards; 16 gauge aluminum chassis; custom wound low flux power
transformers.
PLACEMENT
The Mimas 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 another 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.
VENTILATION
When installing the Mimas in your system, make certain to allow a minimum of 4 inches of ventilation on each
side of the unit. Also allow at least 6 inches of ventilation space above the unit. The front must be open.
BURN IN TIME
This unit has a break in period of about 400 hours during which continuous improvement in sound quality will
be observed.
IMPORTANT
Save all packaging in a dry place away from fire hazards. Your Mimas 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
Mimas 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 Mimas, we at Aesthetix recommend that you
read this manual in full before connecting the unit to your audio system.
Note: It is imperative that the Mimas 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 Mimas to protect it from overheating, as well as the
continued functionality of any equipment near and around it.
Warning: Each channel is a balanced bridged amplifier, thus the minus speaker terminal is NOT a ground, and
cannot be connected to a system ground or a loudspeaker system with a common ground. Consult
your speaker manufacturer to ensure that any speaker in your system that will be connected to the
Mimas does NOT have internal circuitry with a common ground.
WARNING
United States law prohibits disposition of these commodities to Libya, Laos, North Korea, Cambodia, Syria,
Sudan 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. In the case of changing
the feet on a unit, in order to prevent any damage (which will also not be covered under warranty), please verify
that the screws being used to secure non-Aesthetix feet do not screw any deeper into the chassis than the
original ones. The original screw is 10-32 by 3/8” and extends into the chassis 1/8 inch.
Manual Conventions
For clarity purposes, a button/LED name will be in uppercase when instructed to press/view it, and capitalized
when it is referred to. When any of the 5 line Inputs is referred to, INPx may be used, where x is 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5.
Concurrently when editing an Input specific parameter in the Setup menu, SETx may be used.
 2018 Aesthetix Audio Corporation. Written and Illustrated by Glenn Buckley

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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 MIMAS, FIRST TURN OFF THE POWER AND THEN
DISCONNECT THE AC POWER CORD.
WHEN INSTALLING THE MIMAS IN YOUR SYSTEM, MAKE CERTAIN TO ALLOW A MINIMUM OF 4
INCHES OF VENTILATION ON EACH SIDE OF THE UNIT. ALSO ALLOW AT LEAST 6 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 MIMAS NEAR HEAT SOURCES SUCH AS DIRECT SUNLIGHT, STOVES, HEAT
REGISTERS, RADIATORS OR OTHER HEAT PRODUCING EQUIPMENT.
TO PREVENT DAMAGE TO THE ANALOG OUTPUT CIRCUITRY, BE CERTAIN NOT TO SHORT THE
OUTPUT SIGNAL TO GROUND. ENSURE THAT YOUR AUDIO OUTPUT CABLES DO NOT HAVE ANY
INTERNAL SHORTS BEFORE CONNECTING THEM TO THE MIMAS.
IF REPLACEMENT OF THE AC LINE FUSE AND/OR ANY INTERNAL FUSE BECOMES NECESSARY,
REPLACE ONLY WITH SAME VALUE AND TYPE OF FUSE. NEVER BYPASS THE FUSE.
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 MIMAS 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 MIMAS AS TO PROTECT IT FROM OVERHEATING, AS WELL AS THE CONTINUED FUNCTIONALITY
OF ANY EQUIPMENT NEAR AND AROUND IT.
EACH CHANNEL IS A BALANCED BRIDGED AMPLIFIER, THUS THE MINUS SPEAKER TERMINAL IS NOT
A GROUND, AND CANNOT BE CONNECTED TO A SYSTEM GROUND OR LOUDSPEAKER SYSTEM WITH
A COMMON GROUND. CONSULT YOUR SPEAKER MANUFACTURER TO ENSURE THAT ANY SPEAKER
IN YOUR SYSTEM THAT WILL BE CONNECTED TO THE MIMAS DOES NOT HAVE INTERNAL CIRCUITRY
WITH A COMMON GROUND.
IF THE TOP COVER HAS TO BE REMOVED, FIRST TURN OFF THE REAR PANEL POWER SWITCH AND
WAIT 15 MINUTES. THEN REMOVE THE TWO 6-32 PANHEAD SCREWS AT THE TOP OF THE REAR
PANEL AND LIFT THE BACK OF THE TOP COVER UPWARDS.

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Table Of Contents
PREFACE ............................................................................................................................................................ 3
INTRODUCTION .............................................................................................................................................. 3
PLACEMENT ................................................................................................................................................... 3
VENTILATION ................................................................................................................................................. 3
BURN IN TIME ................................................................................................................................................. 3
IMPORTANT .................................................................................................................................................... 3
WARNING ........................................................................................................................................................ 3
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS .................................................................................................................................... 4
Front Panel Layout ............................................................................................................................................... 6
Rear Panel Layout ............................................................................................................................................... 7
Wiring Diagram .................................................................................................................................................... 8
AC Power: ........................................................................................................................................................ 8
Initial Setup .......................................................................................................................................................... 9
Standby ............................................................................................................................................................ 9
Menu Map .......................................................................................................................................................... 10
OPERATION ...................................................................................................................................................... 11
Main Menu ...................................................................................................................................................... 11
Input Select ................................................................................................................................................. 11
Display ........................................................................................................................................................ 11
Mute ............................................................................................................................................................ 11
Volume........................................................................................................................................................ 11
Setup .............................................................................................................................................................. 12
General ....................................................................................................................................................... 12
Headphones ............................................................................................................................................ 13
Balance ................................................................................................................................................... 13
Start Level ............................................................................................................................................... 13
Maximum Level ....................................................................................................................................... 13
IR (Infrared) ............................................................................................................................................. 13
Display (Advanced Display Functionality) ............................................................................................... 14
Restore (Factory Settings) ...................................................................................................................... 14
Remote Trigger ....................................................................................................................................... 14
Setup Input ................................................................................................................................................. 15
Input On/Off ............................................................................................................................................ 15
Input Level ............................................................................................................................................... 15
Home Theater Bypass ............................................................................................................................ 15
Input Name ............................................................................................................................................. 16
Bypass (Advanced) ................................................................................................................................. 16
Internal Gain Setting ....................................................................................................................................... 16
RS232 ............................................................................................................................................................ 16
Phono ................................................................................................................................................................. 17
Setup Phono ............................................................................................................................................... 18
Cartridge Type ........................................................................................................................................ 18
Resistive Load ......................................................................................................................................... 18
Capacitive Load ...................................................................................................................................... 18
Gain ......................................................................................................................................................... 18
Input Active ............................................................................................................................................. 18
Phono Input Name .................................................................................................................................. 18
Appendix A Internal Gain Jumper Settings ...................................................................................................... 19
Appendix B Troubleshooting Guide ................................................................................................................. 20
Display Codes ................................................................................................................................................ 20
Appendix C RS232 Pinout ............................................................................................................................... 21
Appendix D Specifications ............................................................................................................................... 22

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Front Panel Layout
Figure 1 - Front Panel Layout
1. DISPLAY button. Press to extinguish or illuminate the display. This button is also used in some Setup
menus.
2. Display LED. Not used in normal operation. It is illuminated in some Setup menus, indicating that the Display
button is used for changing the currently selected parameter.
3. In the main menu, the four left characters are the name of the currently selected input.
4. In the Main menu, the larger, two rightmost numbers represent the current volume level.
5. Headphone LED. Illuminates when the output signal is routed to the headphone jack only.
6. MUTE button. Toggle to mute or un-mute the Mimas.
7. Mute LED. Illuminates when the Mute function is active.
8. Pressing the left side of the DISPLAY will lower the volume, or decrement the value when in a sub-menu.
9. LED DISPLAY.
10. INPUT button. Used to select an Input. Also used in some Setup menus for parameter selection.
11. INPUT LED. Illuminates when the MAIN menu is active or when the Input button can be used to make edits
in any of the Setup menus.
12. STANDBY button. After the rear panel MAIN POWER switch is turned on and the Mimas has completed its
Warm Up cycle, press the front panel STANDBY button to exit the standby mode. Pressing this button again
will put the Mimas into STANDBY and illuminate the Standby LED.
13. Standby LED. Illuminates when the Mimas is in Standby, flashes when coming out of Standby.
14. SETUP button. Accesses all setup menus. Press to exit the Setup Menu system.
15. Setup LED. It is illuminated when in any of the Setup menus.
16. LOCK LED. Illuminates when the Mimas locks onto a digital input signal.
17. Pressing the right side of the DISPLAY will raise the volume, or increment a value when in a Setup menu.
18. HEADPHONE jack. When enabled, the output signal is re-routed from the main outputs, to the headphones.

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Rear Panel Layout
Figure 2 - Rear Panel Layout
1. 6-32 screws to secure the top cover. Before removing top cover, turn off rear panel MAIN POWER switch
and wait 15 minutes. Then remove the two 6-32 screws and pull up top cover from the rear panel.
2. Right channel Plus BINDING POST. Connect plus speaker wire for the right speaker to this terminal.
3. Right channel Minus BINDING POST. Connect minus speaker wire for the right speaker to this terminal. DO
NOT CONNECT TO GROUND.
4. Left channel balanced and single-ended Analog Input jacks.
5. Left channel balanced and single-ended Preamp Output.
6. AC POWER INPUT and main fuse. Spare fuse inside.
7. 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.
8. Left channel Plus BINDING POST. Connect the plus speaker wire for the right speaker to this terminal.
9. Optional Phono Input module.
10. Optional Digital to Audio (DAC) input module.
11. Right channel balanced and single-ended Analog Input jacks.
12. Right channel balanced and single-ended Preamp Output.
13. IR extender input jack. Connect external IR receiver to this input
14. DB9 RS232 connector. Used for connecting a system control device to the Mimas to control and monitor its
functions.
15. Remote Trigger jack. When set to do so, as the Standby button is pressed to take the Mimas out of standby,
the rear panel trigger jack becomes active with a 5 VDC signal. A compatible receiving device such as
another 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
Mimas out of standby.
16. Left channel Minus BINDING POST. Connect the minus speaker wire for the left speaker to this terminal.
DO NOT CONNECT TO GROUND.

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Wiring Diagram
Figure 3 - Examples of Typical Input and Output Connections
CAUTION: Make all input and output connections before turning the Mimas Main Power Switch on.
WARNING! The Mimas rear panel Main Power switch MUST always be turned OFF when making or
changing speaker connections.
AC Power:
The Mimas may be plugged directly into an un-switched wall outlet. Although proprietary RFI (radio-frequency
interference) filtering is built into the Mimas, 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 Mimas 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.
Install 2 tubes into the Mimas. See Mimas Tube Guide. Afterwards replace the top cover and secure it with the
same 2 Philips screws.
Connect all sources to the Mimas rear panel inputs.
If used, connect a trigger cable to the device that the Mimas standby will either control, or be controlled by.
Connect a third party IR extender, if desired.
Connect the speakers to the Mimas outputs. Please adhere to all warnings and references in this documentation
with regards to not connecting the Mimas speaker minus (-) terminal to any ground.
Connect the AC cord.
Turn on the rear panel power switch. Each time the rear panel power switch is turned on, the Mimas will go into
Warm Up mode for up to 2 minutes. The timing of this is dependent on the current temperature of the Output
module heatsinks. During this time the display will read WARM UP.
Note: If using the optional HRC-3 hand held remote, it is shipped in “Transport” mode (off). It must first be set to
Active. Please refer to the Metis remote owner’s manual.
Install battery(s) in the hand held remote control.
CAUTION! To avoid loud pops and possible speaker damage, turn on all other system components
before taking the Mimas out of standby.
Standby
After the Mimas completes its Warm up phase, it will then go into Standby and the Standby LED will illuminate.
Pressing the STANDBY button will initiate the startup process. At this time the blue Standby LED will blink for a
few minutes before displaying the Main Menu.

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Menu Map
Figure 4 – Mimas Standard Menus