Aesthetix Calypso vs ARC LS25 MK2

Well I will put in my 2 cents. I have heard both and I own a Calypso. I found it more transparent and a larger sound stage. Now with that being said they were close and I herd them with different systems (same speakers). Both are grate pre amps though.

Heard both but not at the same time. Slam dunk for the Calypso.

After listening to the ARC and countless others... Aesthetix Calypso was my pick as well. I also own the Rhea and find great synergy in the pair. The overall balance and musicality won me over very easily and that was with stock tubes. People say that the Telefunkens are a whole nother story +++. Just for refererence, I run Atma-Sphere amps thru Coincident Total Eclipses and could not be happier. Jim White is also a great pleasure to deal with. Best of luck Perfectionist!

I have not heard Calypso, but have heard ARC LS25 II a few times: it suffers of terminal vapidness. Go for the Calypso, unless you are into Valium and Muzak.