all the hype about the Aesthetics blowing fuses and tubes is all long gone , as far as fuses what , these other guys are talking about is the Callisto, that has been addresses over 2 years ago now, as is the tube issue with the Calypso.PLease remember , Aesthetics does not use a buffer stage therefore it is much more sensitive to noisy tubes.
Just have them matched and that is that 2500 hours is about average. and with one less stage you get the one amplified section then out to the amp, that is why they sound so magical, and Please remmber if you are considering make sure the unit has at least 450 hours
to give a fair assessment of this excellent preamp.
Nothing under 10k will better this preamp in overall natural musicality, IMO, and I have had 4 of the best out there, CJ17, JOule 200, Cat sig, BAt vk5i,and yes the Herron vtsp 2 was a 2 week visitor only.