2. amps-preamps
  3. 1136540152

Aesthetix Calypso -vs- Ayre K-1Xe preamps?

Hello,
I was just wondering if anyone out there has owned both, or compared the Aesthetix Calypso and the Ayre K-1Xe preamps?
What are their sonic differences, advantages, and disadvantages in comparison to one another?
Which one do you feel would match best with Parasound Halo JC-1 monoblock amps?
Thanks in advance.
audio_girl
ongkaku
31 posts
 
It's funny. I own the superb Supratek Cabernet line-stage tube pre-amp and now I am thinking of switching to Ayre K-1xe, a full-blown solid-state pre-amp! Just the opposite of Audio Girl. "I Guess I am just itchin' to give solid-state a spin!"

Good luck.

Cheers from Taipei,
Kenji
daltonlanny
301 posts
 
Hey Audio_girl,
Does "itchin' to give tubes a spin" also include "tube rolling"?! LOL.
Sorry, I just had to throw that one in!
curriemt11
220 posts
 
Audio Girl,

I cannot comment on a comparison between the two preamps, as I have never heard the Ayre. I can, however, tell you that the Aesthetix Janus/JC-1 combination is really quite extraordinary - at least in my system. The synergy between the two surpassed all of my expectations (I recently acquired the JC-1s from Bob Crump's estate - they were his personal pair). I am, as they say here in Tejas, as happy as a gopher in soft dirt.

Mike
perfectionist
197 posts
 
Crump's personal JC1's huh??? Now those must be some professionally tweaked amp's.
I'm quite envious...
curriemt11
220 posts
 
Perfectionist,

I understand that they have been tweaked a little in regards to internal wiring and in replacement of the IEC. They sound great.

Mike
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