The Aesthetix Callisto is extremely low noise, and with twin balanced stepped volume controls, one for each channel, it is capable of ultra low level resolution with high channel separation. The stock Sovtek tubes sound good in it due to the excellent design, but upgrading to selected NOS makes this the best preamp currently available (in my opinion).
Low noise Preamp for High Eff Speakers
Recently I picked up a Threshold T3 preamp and amazed how much lower the noise floor was than my Audio Research LS3B. Dead quite even with your ears to the tweeters. Yet it lacked the dynamics of the Audio Research, more laid back. I still like both of them but interested in getting others opinions on low noise preamps (tube or solid state) that are very musical in all practical dimensions (sound stage, inner detail, bass and treble extension, low or no electronic haze/glare, etc). I am looking at auditioning some ultra-efficient speakers (greater than 91 db) and would like to get a feel for best matching to the speakers. I have been happy with my B&W 801 series 3 speakers now for about 5 years but looking at being more Energy Friendly and at the same time getting more immediate sound that many high efficiency speakers are reported to give. Any thoughts would be much appreciated.
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- 13 posts total
- 13 posts total