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Aesthetix Calypso Voltage From 110V to 240V?

Hi

I am interested in getting an Aesthetix Calypso but all the units listed appear to be 110V whilst I am in a 240V country. Does anyone know if the voltage conversion can be done by a technician in my home country easily? I have written to Aesthetix but they say they do not perform voltage conversions for 2nd hand units.

Looking to drive Krell FPB 200c and Dynaudio Contour S3.4's.

The alternative would be a Cary SLP 03 which I have heard in my system. It is musical but I found slightly grainy and lacking richness, dimensionality and tube bloom - could be because of lack of break in - which was surprising for a Cary unit especially the little brother to the SLP 05 which is very well reviewed.

How would the Aesthetix Calypso compare in this regard?

Thanks
mikey8811
lewinskih01
909 posts
 
Mikey,

Have you considered a transformer? Not just a regular step up transformer, which are generally cheap units that would likely degrade your power supply, but a stepup + isolation + balanced power transformer. You would get the voltage conversion, plus the power cleaning benefits of an isolation transformer, plus the even added power cleaning of balanced power...not bad for the price of less than buying a new preamp.
You could have one of these made to your spec from the likes of EquiTech or from any transformer manufacturer where you live; you just need to dig some to find a manufacturer. I'm doing this now.

Just a thought.

Horacio
nolitan
865 posts
 
Some manufacturers feel that using a step up or step down transformers (external) hampers the performance of their gears.
I would personally not use of such devices.
lewinskih01
909 posts
 
That is likely the case if using a cheap transformer. But how is a step up or down different than 1:1 transformer, if both are isolation units, shielded, and with balanced output? I believe some manufacturers claim EquiTech-like units are not necessary with their equipment, but I don't recall them saying such a unit will harm their performance.

BTW, trying this is cheaper than switching the preamp. If this doesn't work as expected, a change in preamp can be done anyway.
mikey8811 OP
259 posts
 
Thanks for all your replies. At this stage I have given up on the Calypso for good. I feel that if a user has to bend over backwards to accommodate use of a product by way of hunting down ways of voltage conversion by modification or use of transformers, then the product is not worth buying given the hassle involved.

Nolitan - I am not after euphonic tube warmth, just something to slightly smooth out the highs in the Krell but retain the speed, extension and detail with a touch more dimensionality and front to back imaging.
nolitan
865 posts
 
Mikey,

If that is what you are looking for, the Jadis + krell combo has always been a fave.
The higher Jadis pre-amp you go, the more you get those virtues.

Goodluck
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