2. amps-preamps
  3. 174592-53619

Anybody familiar with both Aesthetix and Audio Research?

Somebody is telling me that Aesthetix is comparable to Arc and I would be using my money more wisely going for a Calypso Signature than an Audio Research ref 6SE. But from reading it seems the Callisto is far superior to the Calypso.

I am already familiar with Arc gear which I like a lot but know little about Aesthetix.

I'll be matching it to a pass xa 25 and am looking for a deeper soundstage(one which goes way back) and more transparency with large orchestral forces.

Some poster was comparing the Calypso Signature to a ref 3 which would of course be a real step back to me.

Anybody know the two brands and have an opinion?

Thanks

 

roxy1927
chorus
976 posts
 

Pass with Pass makes the most sense. The 6SE may be better in

some ways but is it as synergistic?

I had an XA25 and it created a 6' deep soundstage with no

preamp at all. 

I wonder though if you enjoy 'large orchestral forces' does the XA25

have the juice to produce? Maybe with highly sensitive speakers

in a smaller room but otherwise it seems unlikely.

tomic601's avatar
tomic601
12,928 posts
 

Extensive experience w both storied firms with well deserved reputation for excellent engineering, sonics, support and typically some level of upgrade path without scrapping / selling the whole box. As others have stated, they each have strength, in image depth and air, i would give nod to ARC, bass drive, nuance to Aesthetix. In my system the ARC Ref5se is also quieter and more detailed. I do have an Aesthetix Pandora Sig feeding the ARC. At the level you are at tube rolling and isolation will both improve image depth, I use HRS, but there are other brands that yield similar results. Best wishes in your journey.

Jim

ghdprentice
7,052 posts
 

I have used a Audio Research REF 5SE preamp with Pass x350 amp for many years… wonderful combo, until I tried an Audio Research Amp… holy cow… that was so much better… more musical and natural. Now I have a ARC REF 6SE preamp and a REF 160s amp… actually at the moment I am auditioning REF 160m monoblocks. Overwhelmingly musical.

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