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Aesthetix Calypso vs. ?

I have this on loan from my dealer, and am wondering what other preamps I should try within this price range.

I think the Calypso betters my BAT 3iX, without the 3iX's somewhat closed in on top and darkish midrange.

The 3iX does seem to win in the midbass, and I still very much like the its overal soundstage presentation. I'm wondering if I should try some tuberolling with the 3iX before I give up on it. I just have the standard Electro-Harmonix 6922s in it right now.

(I tried some Tung Sol 12AX7s I had in the closet in the Calypso. Lovelier midrange and deeper soundstage than the Sovteks, but too much hiss).
daverz
nikturner920
144 posts
 
The Calypso has a really pretty minimalist circuit design. You are in a sense listening to the tubes. Which is amazing with good tubes but make using low noise / low microphonic tubes mandatory.

One thing you can try with Tung Sols is change the gain on the Calypso to the low setting. Its in the manual and just involves a set of jumpers on the main board (unplug it!). Large reduction in noise for me.

A set of reasonably priced NOS 6922's (seimans 1960s) may be worth trying in the Bat and you could always use them in the Calypso if you go that way.
daverz OP
487 posts
 
@Mark, thanks, looks interesting, though I don't have enough feedback for the free demo.

@Nik, I think the Calypso I have on loan is an older model without the jumpers. Or at least they are not where people say they are. The gain *is* too high for my DAC and amp. Guess I'll ask the dealer.

I talked to Kevin at Upscale audio, and he thought a Primaluna Dialogue 3 would "smoke" the BAT (they also sell BAT). But, duh, I didn't think to ask him about the Calypso because my original question was about tube rolling the BAT (he doesn't think the dark character can be changed much.)
sibelius
256 posts
 
Test drive a Shindo if you have a chance. Not balanced but I think these may meet your other requirements.
daverz OP
487 posts
 
@Rwwear, the Calypso seems to have good "jump" factor in my system.
pdreher's avatar
pdreher
1,213 posts
 
I've had a Calypso for about 3 years and it's been my favorite preamp by far vs. my previous preamps, which included the Joule LA-150 & BAT VK30. It responds big-time to tube rolling, but sounds only so-so with the stock Sovtek's. You HAVE TO tube roll with good NOS tubes to get the most out of this unit... but it's worth the effort and expense.

Disclosure: I've recently sold my Calypso, but only because I've gone to an all tubed integrated (McIntosh MA2275).
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