Aesthetix Calypso vs ARC LS25 MK2

Markeef, glad you found this thread useful. Many of the decisions I've made regarding my system have come from knowledge gained from the forums here on Agon.

I see I never did update this thread after I installed the Mullard 12ax7's and Amperex 6922's.

I'm still running both sets and they are wonderful. I've had no desire to try any others. One of the 12ax7's has developed a hiss quite a bit more then the other. It varies throughout the volume range. That is, I can be at say volume# 47 with cdp stopped, and the culprit tube may have audible hiss from the listening position. I can usually run the volume up or down and come back to #47, and the hiss will be greatly diminished. Why this is, I don't know.
I do know it is not bad enough to make me want to replace them.

I will also say that I've had no desire to try any other pre's in my system. Very content...

I am very late to this thread, I know. However, I thought I would chime in with my Aesthetix Calypso vs ARC LS25mkII experience. I owned both. The Calypso is a warmer and more robust sounding line stage while the ARC sounds neutral to too lean and clean in my system.

I had the ARC LS25mkII for a couple years and then began my search for something about as flexible and versatile but more to my liking. The only thing I could find that came close in terms of "flexible and versatile" AND sounded a bit more "tubey" (which is what I wanted) was the Aesthetix Calypso.

I liked the Calypso so much that I later upgraded to the Calypso Signature. End of story.

I'd love to hear your thoughts on standard Calypso vs Signature...

so would I!!!

I've owned the standard Calypso, but sold it along with my tube amp thinking I'd enjoy the simplicity of an integrated amp... turned out to be a mistake that was regrettable. Now I'm back to separates and stepped up to the Calypso Signature. Both preamps are great values IME, with the Signature providing additional resolution, transparency and a larger soundstage. Swapping out the stock tubes with carefully selected NOS tubes is a must in both units.