What preamps outshine the Aesthetix Calypso?

I went from the Calypso to the Modwright 36.5 and think it is Dan's best work. I auditioned the Ref 3, CJ ACT and the VK51se before choosing the Modwright. I have the single box version and am quite happy. The bass response on the 36.5 I found better than the other units. I think Edorr's recommendation is a good one.

I upgraded to the Calypso Signature and could not be happier. More musical and dynamic with less noise, but also more $$$$. Not as sensitive to tube selection...I can hardly find a tube that sounds bad in it unless the tube has a defect. If you spend the time matching the right tubes and have a good system(room too)the standard Calypso can be all you need.

It seems a bit odd that this thread never brought up the obvious step up from the Calypso: the Callisto Signature. If you think you're impressed with the Calypso's power supply, have a look at the Callisto's. A dozen updated parts to make a Calypso into a Signature still does not put it in the same league as the Callisto. The Callisto's 3D performance has much to do with its tube power supply.

Spending a fortune on tubes for the Calypso is just not going to do it. My friend maxed out his Calypso with Mullard 10M 12ax7 and we tried virtually every 6922 variation out there. A Callisto loaded with Sovtek tubes easily destroys the Calypso in any implementation. It's so much about the tube power supply.

Before I got the Callisto Signature, I had the BAT 31SE. I directly compared this to a friend's Calypso and the new Callisto Signature. I would take the BAT over the Calypso as the BAT's 3D performance easily beat the Calypso. But the BAT was lacking detail, extension and clarity compared to the Calypso. The Callisto Signature combined the strengths of the other two, and rightfully so.

The Callisto Sig is on occasion at the $5k price. But it's hard to find. My next choice would be to hunt down a BAT 51SE

I just got a TRL Dude and am compltely blown away by it. Better then any pre I've had.

VAC preamp's are top shelf, though you will likely have to go used to stay in your budget. But their gear is solid and VAC provides good service to second owners, so I wouldn't hesitate. I picked up my VAC gear here on Audiogon and it has been rock solid.