Aesthetix HRC-3 User manual

Aesthetix Audio Corporation
5220 Gabbert Rd., Suite A  Moorpark, CA. 93021
Phone: [phone]
HRC-3
Hand Held Remote Control
Owner’s Manual

2
PREFACE
INTRODUCTION
This manual covers the use of this remote for several products. Setting it up for the intended
device may be necessary initially.
Note: This product was initially shipped in the “Transport” state.
This is the same as being turned OFF, and is intended to preserve
the internal battery. It must be activated prior to initial use. Please refer
to age 5 of this manual.
IMPORTANT
Save all packaging in a dry place away from fire hazards. Your Remote is a precision electronic
instrument and should be properly packaged any time shipment is made. In the unlikely event
that you have to return the Remote 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 remote, we highly recommend
that you read this manual in full before setting it up to work in your system.
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.
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.
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
DO NOT PLACE THE REMOTE NEAR HEAT SOURCES SUCH AS DIRECT SUNLIGHT, STOVES, HEAT
REGISTERS, RADIATORS, POWER AMPLIFIERS OR OTHER HEAT PRODUCING EQUIPMENT.
INTERNAL BATTERY MAY LEAK OR EXPLODE IF DAMADED OR OVERHEATED. AESTHETIX AND/OR ANY
OF ITS DEALERS, DISTRIBUTORS, AGENTS OR OTHER REPRESENTATIVES ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE NOR
HAVE ANY LIABILITY FOR DAMAGES – CONSEQUENCIAL OR OTHER - CAUSED BY OVERHEATING OR
MISUSE OF THE REMOTE AND/OR THE REMOTE INTERNAL BATTERY.
IF THE BATTERY SHOWS SIGNS OF DAMAGE, REMOVE AND REPLACE IT IMMEDIATELY. DISPOSE OF
OLD BATTERIES IN ACCORDANCE WITH YOUR LOCAL JURISDICTION. REGULATIONS FOR DISPOSAL
AND RECYCLING OF BATTERIES VARY WIDELY; LOCAL GOVERNMENTS MAY HAVE ADDITIONAL
REQUIREMENTS OVER THOSE OF NATIONAL REGULATIONS.

3
Table Of Contents
PREFACE ............................................................................................................................. 2
INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................... 2
IMPORTANT ..................................................................................................................... 2
WARNING ......................................................................................................................... 2
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS ..................................................................................................... 2
Remote Layout ..................................................................................................................... 4
Operation .............................................................................................................................. 5
Features ............................................................................................................................ 5
Operation Detail ................................................................................................................. 5
Remote Activation (Active/Transport Mode) .............................................................. 5
Command Set ................................................................................................................. 5
Secondary System Commands ................................................................................... 6
Direct Commands ........................................................................................................ 6
LED Brightness ............................................................................................................... 6
Motion Sense .................................................................................................................. 6
LED Timer ...................................................................................................................... 7
Factory Defaults.............................................................................................................. 7
Software Version ............................................................................................................ 7
Hardware Version ........................................................................................................... 7
Battery Replacement ...................................................................................................... 8
Button Commands for Specific Devices. ........................................................................... 9
Aesthetix Metis Preamplifier. .......................................................................................... 9
Aesthetix Janus Preamplifier. ......................................................................................... 9
Aesthetix Rhea Preamplifier. ........................................................................................ 10
Aesthetix Calypso Preamplifier. .................................................................................... 10
Aesthetix Romulus CD Player/DAC and Pandora DAC. ............................................... 11
Direct IR Commands (Non toggle) ................................................................................ 11
Appendix A. Troubleshooting Guide ................................................................................... 12
Appendix B. Specifications ................................................................................................. 13
Warranty Information………………………………………………………………...………………14

4
Remote Layout
1. STANDBY button. Used to transition a unit in or
out of Standby mode.
2. DISPLAY button. Press to turn on or extinguish
the front panel display and LEDs.
3. UP button.
4. LEFT button
5. RIGHT button.
6. DOWN button.
7. ENTER button. Used to select an item /
parameter in a sub menu.
8. MENU button. Used to enter/exit the menu
system.
9. LEVEL UP button. Increases volume.
10. MUTE button. Toggles Mute on and off.
11. INPUT button. Advances currently selected input
to the next.
12. LEVEL DOWN button. Decreases volume.

5
Operation
Important note: This product was initially shipped in the “Transport” state.
This is the same as being turned OFF, and is intended to preserve the
internal battery. It must be activated prior to initial use. (Please refer to the
Remote activation section below)
Features
The remote can control a range of devices.
The remote has an internal motion sensor that will, in low light conditions, activate the LEDs when picked up or
otherwise moved. This feature can be turned on (default) or off.
The LED brightness can be adjusted in multiple steps from off to full brightness. When ON, the amount of time that
the LEDs are activated (on) after it senses a lack of motion in low light conditions, can be set by the user.
The software and hardware versions can be displayed by counting the number of times a specific LED illuminates.
The user can restore the factory defaults at any time.
The remote can be set to transmit several Direct commands. (Non toggle). This is useful for a learning remote or
programming a non-Aesthetix remote, or controller device.
Operation Detail
Remote Activation (Active/Transport Mode)
Initially the remote must be activated, or taken out of Transport Mode. To do this, press and hold the STANDBY
button. While holding Standby, press the MENU button, and then let go of both. The LEDs will blink 5 times to
acknowledge that this sub menu is active. The Up and Down LEDs will be illuminated. Press the UP button to
activate the remote, or press the DOWN button to put it into Transport mode (Off). Regardless of whether or not the
remote is activated or put into transport mode, once the UP or DOWN button is pressed, the LEDs will blink 5 times
to confirm the user input, and exit this sub menu. Note: If the factory defaults are loaded, this feature will be On.
Command Set
This feature allows the user to select the Aesthetix device it will be controlling. The factory default is the Metis
preamplifier.
Changing the device to be controlled requires the user to press and hold the STANDBY button and, while holding
Standby, press the MUTE button. Then let go of both. The LEDs will blink 5 times to acknowledge that this sub
menu is active. Press the UP button to select (or verify) that the remote will control the Metis Preamplifier (System
code16). The LEDs will blink 5 times to confirm the user input, and exit this sub menu.
Use the chart below to control other Aesthetix products.
Function
First
button
Second
button Acknowledge
Function
(sys code)
Third
button Confirmation
Change STANDBY MUTE LEDs blink 5 times Metis/Mimas (16) UP LEDs blink 5 times
Command Calypso (16) DOWN LEDs blink 5 times
Set Callisto (16) LEFT LEDs blink 5 times
Janus (16) RIGHT LEDs blink 5 times
Rhea (21) ENTER LEDs blink 5 times
Romulus (20/19) LEVEL UP LEDs blink 5 times

6
Secondary System Commands
Some preamplifiers can be set to a secondary system code. This is useful when there is one device in the audio
system that is pre-set to a system code used by another device.
Using the same procedure on the previous page, refer to the chart below to set a secondary system code.
Function
First
button
Second
button Acknowledge
Function
(sys code)
Third
Button Confirmation
Change STANDBY MUTE LEDs blink 5 times Metis/Mimas 2 (19) LEVEL DWN LEDs blink 5 times
Command Calypso 2 (19) MENU LEDs blink 5 times
Set Janus 2 (19) INPUT LEDs blink 5 times
Direct Commands
Using the same procedure on the previous page, refer to the chart below to set the system code to use direct
commands for the Metis, Janus and Rhea.
Function
First
button
Second
button Acknowledge
Function
(sys code)
Third
Button Confirmation
Change DISPLAY INPUT (>) LEDs blink 5 times Metis/Mimas Direct 1(16) UP LEDs blink 5 times
to Direct Metis/Mimas Direct 2 (16) DOWN LEDs blink 5 times
Command Janus Direct 1(16) LEFT LEDs blink 5 times
Set Rhea Direct 1(21) ENTER LEDs blink 5 times
LED Brightness
This setting will allow the user to set all of the LEDs to a desired brightness level.
To set the brightness, press and hold the STANDBY button. While holding Standby, press the LEVEL UP(+) button
and then let go of both. The LEDs will blink 5 times to acknowledge that this sub menu is active. Repeatedly
pressing the UP button increases the LED brightness, or repeatedly pressing the DOWN button decreases the LED
brightness, or ultimately turns them Off. The brightness will change only one level per button press and will be
visible in the buttons. The least bright is the factory default. To exit this sub menu, press the MENU button. The
LEDs will blink 5 times to confirm the user input and exit this sub menu.
When the LED brightness is set to off, the LEDs will only illuminate when entering a sub menu.
Motion Sense
The remote reads the ambient light level in a room. If it is low and the remote senses motion, all LEDs will turn on,
and stay on as long as there is continuous motion. When no motion is detected for the amount of time set in the
LED Timer sub menu, the LEDs will turn off. The Motion Sense feature can be turned on or off. The factory default
is On.
If disabled, to enable the Motion Sense feature, press and hold the STANDBY button. While holding Standby, press
the UP button and then let go of both. The LEDs will blink 5 times to acknowledge that this sub menu is active, and
the UP / Down buttons will be illuminated. Press the UP button. To disable this feature, while in this sub menu, press
the DOWN button. The LEDs will blink 5 times to confirm the user selection and exit this sub menu.

7
LED Timer
If the LEDs are set to ON in the LED Brightness sub menu (default), the amount of time they can be set to stay on
after detecting no motion can be set by the user.
To set the LED Timer to 1 second, press and hold the STANDBY button. While holding Standby, press the RIGHT
ARROW button and then let go of both. The LEDs will blink 5 times to acknowledge that this sub menu is active.
Press the UP button. The LEDs will blink 5 times to confirm the user selection and exit this sub menu.
The chart below details the button sequences utilized for the available range of timer settings. The factory default is
5 seconds.
Function
First
button Second button Acknowledge Function
Third
button Confirmation
Set LED timer STANDBY RIGHT ARROW LEDs blink 5 times 1 sec UP LEDs blink 5 times
3 sec RIGHT LEDs blink 5 times
5 sec DOWN LEDs blink 5 times
10 sec LEFT LEDs blink 5 times
20 sec ENTER LEDs blink 5 times
30 sec DISPLAY LEDs blink 5 times
Factory Defaults
To restore the factory default settings, press and hold the STANDBY button. While holding Standby, press the
INPUT (>) button and then let go of both. The LEDs will blink 5 times to acknowledge that this sub menu is active
and the Vol Up (+) button till be illuminated. Press the VOL UP (+) button. The LEDs will blink 5 times to confirm the
user selection and exit this sub menu. The remote will now operate with factory settings.
At the point of entering this sub menu, if the choice is made to abort this operation (keep settings as they are), press
any button other than the illuminated Vol Up (+) button. The LEDs will blink 5 times to confirm the user selection and
exit this sub menu.
Software Version
To display the current software version, press and hold the STANDBY button. While holding Standby, press the
DISPLAY button and then let go of both. All LEDs will turn off for one second and then the UP button LED will blink
X times. The total number of times it blinks is the software version number. After the last blink, the remote will
automatically exit this sub menu and return to normal operation.
Hardware Version
To display the current hardware version, press and hold the STANDBY button. While holding Standby, press the
LEFT ARROW button and then let go of both. All LEDs will turn off for one second and then the UP button LED will
blink X times. The total number of times it blinks is the hardware version number. After the last blink, the remote will
automatically exit this sub menu and return to normal operation.

8
Battery Replacement
Should the internal battery need to be checked or replaced, remove the 4 screws on the rear panel. The battery will
be visible as should be its identification numbers. Remove and re-seat the battery by grasping it with 2 fingers in the
areas where there is no surrounding plastic, and pulling upwards. Upon re-inserting the battery, all LEDs should
illuminate temporarily unless the installed battery is dead or the remote is not activated (Transport mode).
Verify that the remote is activated by pressing and holding the STANDBY button. While holding Standby, press the
MENU button, and then let go of both. The LEDs should blink 5 times to acknowledge that this sub menu is active.
The Up and Down LEDs should then be illuminated. If this is the case, press the UP button to activate the remote.
The LEDs will blink 5 times to confirm the user input, and exit this sub menu.
If the remote will not enter the Activate sub menu after the battery has been re-seated, replace the battery with a
new CR2450.
SPECIAL NOTE: Regulations for disposal and recycling of batteries vary widely; local governments
may have additional requirements over those of national regulations.
DISPOSE OF OLD BATTERIES IN ACCORDANCE WITH YOUR LOCAL JURISDICTION.

9
Button Commands for Specific Devices.
Aesthetix Metis Preamplifier & Mimas Integrated Amplifier.
When the remote is set to control the Metis, its buttons will do the following:
1. STANDBY. Enters/Exits Standby mode when the rear panel power switch is on.
2. DISPLAY. Press to turn on or extinguish the front panel LEDs.
3. UP. Increases the volume or increases the parameter value when in a sub menu.
4. LEFT. Moves to previous input or selects the previous sub menu in the menu system.
5. RIGHT. Moves to next input or selects the next sub menu in the menu system.
6. DOWN. Decreases the volume or decreases the parameter value when in a sub menu.
7. ENTER. Mute/Unmute the Metis/Mimas.
8. MENU. Enter/Exit menus.
9. LEVEL UP. Increases the volume.
10. MUTE. Toggles Mute on and off.
11. INPUT. Goes forward to the next Input. (Wraps around).
12. LEVEL DOWN. Decreases the volume.
Aesthetix Janus Preamplifier.
When the remote is set to control the Janus, its buttons will do the following:
1. STANDBY. Enters/Exits Standby mode when the rear panel power switch is on.
2. DISPLAY. Press to turn on or extinguish the front panel display and LEDs.
3. UP. Increases the volume or increases the value in the Gain and Load sub menus.
4. LEFT. Shifts the balance to the left.
5. RIGHT. Shifts the balance to the right.
6. DOWN. Decreases the volume or decreases value in the Gain and Load sub menus.
7. ENTER. Mute/Unmute the Janus.
8. MENU. Selects/Deselects the Tape Input.
9. LEVEL UP. Enter/Exit the Gain Menu when Phono is selected.
10. MUTE. Toggles Mute on and off.
11. INPUT. Goes forward to the next Input. (Wraps around).
12. LEVEL DOWN. Enter/Exit the Load Menu when Phono is selected.
Note: A software update may be required for the Janus to respond to all of the above commands.

10
Aesthetix Rhea Preamplifier.
When the remote is set to control the Rhea, its buttons will do the following:
1. STANDBY. Enters/Exits Standby mode when the rear panel power switch is on.
2. DISPLAY. Press to turn on or extinguish the front panel display and LEDs.
3. UP. Increases value in Gain and Load sub menus.
4. LEFT. Not active.
5. RIGHT. Not active.
6. DOWN. Decreases value in Gain and Load sub menus.
7. ENTER. Mute/Unmute the Rhea.
8. MENU. Not active.
9. LEVEL UP. Enter/Exit the Gain Menu.
10. MUTE. Toggles Mute on and off.
11. INPUT. Goes forward to the next Input (wraps around), when the Rhea is not in a sub menu.
12. LEVEL DOWN. Enter/Exit the Load Menu.
Note: A software update may be required for the Rhea to respond to all of the above commands.
Aesthetix Calypso Preamplifier.
When the remote is set to control the Calypso, its buttons will do the following:
1. STANDBY. Enters/Exits Standby mode when the rear panel power switch is on.
2. DISPLAY. Press to turn on or extinguish the front panel display and LEDs.
3. UP. Increases the volume.
4. LEFT. Shifts the balance to the left.
5. RIGHT. Shifts the balance to the right.
6. DOWN. Decreases the volume.
7. ENTER. Mute/Unmute the Calypso.
8. MENU. Selects/Deselects the Tape Input.
9. LEVEL UP. Increases the volume.
10. MUTE. Toggles Mute on and off.
11. INPUT. Goes forward to the next Input. (Wraps around).
12. LEVEL DOWN. Decreases the volume.
Note: A software update may be required for the Calypso to respond to all of the above commands.

11
Aesthetix Romulus CD Player/DAC and Pandora DAC.
When the remote is set to control the Romulus or Pandora, its buttons will do the following:
1. STANDBY. Enters/Exits Standby mode when the rear panel power switch is on.
2. DISPLAY. Press to turn on or extinguish the front panel display and LEDs.
3. UP. Pauses CD playback (Romulus only).
4. LEFT. Hold to skip back within a track, press once skip back to the previous track. (Romulus only)
5. RIGHT. Hold to skip forward within a track, press once skip forward to the next track. (Romulus only)
6. DOWN. Stops CD playback (Romulus only).
7. ENTER. Play CD (Romulus only).
8. MENU. Eject CD (Romulus only).
9. LEVEL UP. Increases the volume when optional volume control is installed. Otherwise not active.
10. MUTE. Toggles Mute on and off.
11. INPUT. Goes forward to the next Input. (Wraps around).
12. LEVEL DOWN. Decreases the volume when optional volume control is installed. Otherwise not active.
Note: A software update may be required for the Romulus or Pandora to respond to all of the above commands.
Direct IR Commands (Non toggle)
When using a learning remote or programming a system controller, direct commands can be sent from this remote
via IR. If a command data sheet is required, please contact your Aesthetix dealer or the factory.

12
Appendix A. Troubleshooting Guide
If the Remote should function abnormally during operation, please review the items in the following checklist.
Please be sure to thoroughly check all other connected components such as speakers, preamplifiers, as well as
cables.
Symptom Possible Cause(s) Remedy
No response to user
input and no LEDs
illuminate.
The remote is deactivated. Press and hold the STANDBY button.
While holding Standby, press the MENU
button, and then let go of both. Press the
UP button. (Page 5)
The internal battery is not installed or is
dead.
Verify that a good CR2450 battery is installed
and its identification numbers visible. (Page
8)
Audio device does not
respond to remote but
remote LEDs illuminate
when moved.
Incorrect audio device selected. In the remote sub menu, reselect the audio
device to be controlled. (Refer to Command
Set feature on page 5).
Device to be controlled has early software
installed.
Contact your dealer.
HRC-3 mis-programmed. Restore factory defaults & re-program.
Audio device responds
to remote but LEDs
don’t illuminate.
LED brightness turned off. Set LED brightness to a higher level. (Page
6).
Motion Sense is turned off. Enable the Motion Sense feature. (Page 7)
LEDs extinguish too
slow or too quickly
when the remote is
motionless.
LED timer value set too short or long. Set desired value in LED timer sub menu.
(Page 7)

13
Appendix B. Specifications
Dimensions: 6.5625” L x 2” W x 0.875" D – Button top to foot bottom. (16.67 x 5.1 x 0.22 cm).
Weight: 0.4 Lbs stand alone (0.18 Kg).
Maximum Operating
Temperature: 122 F (50 C).
Internal Battery: CR2450, 3V
System Code: RC5 Preamp – 16
RC5 Preamp2 – 19
RC5 Phono – 21
RC5 CD – 20
RC5 Delay – 89 (mSec delay between transmissions)
SPECIAL NOTE: Regulations for disposal and recycling of batteries vary widely; local governments
may have additional requirements over those of national regulations.
DISPOSE OF OLD BATTERIES IN ACCORDANCE WITH YOUR LOCAL JURISDICTION.
Specifications subject to improvement or change without notice.

90 DAY LIMITED WARRANTY TERMS AND CONDITIONS
(3 Year optional extended service contract)
14
Rev 1.20 11-29-2018
1. Aesthetix warrants the product designated herein to be free of manufacturing defects in material and
workmanship, subject to the conditions herein set forth, for a period of 90 days from the date of purchase by
the original purchaser. If the purchaser registers the unit with Aesthetix by mailing in the warranty card,
together with a copy of the bill of sale, within 14 days of the date of purchase, said purchaser will be registered
for an extended service contract. The extended service contract extends the 90 days to a period of 3 years
from the date of purchase by the original purchaser or no later than 4 years from the date of shipment to the
authorized Aesthetix dealer, whichever comes first.
2. CONDITIONS
This warranty is subject to the following conditions and limitations. The warranty is void and inapplicable if the
product has been used or handled other than in accordance with the instructions in the owner's manual,
abused or misused, damaged by accident or neglect or in being transported, or the defect is due to the
product being repaired or tampered with or modified by anyone other than Aesthetix. The product must be
packed and returned to Aesthetix by the customer at his or her sole expense. A written description of the
defect and a photocopy of the original purchase receipt must accompany a returned product. This receipt
must clearly list model and serial number, the date of purchase, the name and address of the purchaser and
authorized dealer and the purchase price. Aesthetix reserves the right to modify the design of any product
without obligation to purchasers of previously manufactured products and to change the prices or
specifications of any product without notice or obligation to any person.
3. REMEDY
In the event the above product fails to meet the warranty, and the above conditions have been met, the
purchaser's sole remedy under the limited warranty shall be to return the product to Aesthetix where the
defect will be rectified without charge for parts or labor. Aesthetix reserves the right to inspect any product that
is the subject of any warranty claim prior to repairing it. Final determination of warranty coverage lies solely
with Aesthetix.
4. LIMITED TO ORIGINAL PURCHASER
This warranty is for the sole benefit of the original purchaser of the covered product and shall not be
transferred to a subsequent purchaser of the product.
5. DURATION OF WARRANTY
This warranty expires 90 days after the date of original purchase. If Aesthetix receives the warranty
registration card, this period is extended to the third anniversary of the date of purchase or no later that the
fourth anniversary of the shipment to the authorized Aesthetix dealer, whichever comes first. This extension
does not apply to tubes. The warranty period for factory tubes does not get extended and therefore remains at
90 days.
6. MISCELLANEOUS
ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES RELATING TO THE ABOVE PRODUCT SHALL BE LIMITED TO THE
DURATION OF THIS WARRANTY. THE WARRANTY DOES NOT EXTEND TO ANY INCIDENTAL OR
CONSEQUENTIAL COSTS OR DAMAGES TO THE PURCHASER. Some states do not allow limitations on
how long an implied warranty lasts or an exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages, so the
above limitations or exclusions may not apply to you. This Warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you
may also have other rights, which vary from state to state.
7. WARRANTY OUTSIDE THE USA
Aesthetix has formal distribution in many of the countries of the free world; in each country the Aesthetix
importer has contractually accepted the responsibility for product warranty. Warranty should normally be
obtained from the importing dealer or distributor from whom you obtain your product.