NEW LOWER PRICE
STEREOPHILE CLASS "A" RATING (SEE REVIEWS BELOW):
JUST BACK FROM THE FACTORY FOR A TUNE UP AND A CHECK OF THE TUBES (while at Aesthetix additional upgrades were performed to match the current new production).
Like new, a great savings from the $7,000.00 list price along with the Amperex bugle Boy Gold pins 6922 tubes (worth $350.00)
ONE OWNER- SMOKE FREE HOME - LESS THAN THREE YEARS OLD - FORMER STORE DEMO
Note: Photos are for reference only and are not of the actual unit for sale (however the unit for sale looks virtually the same).
BID WITH CONFIDENCE I HAVE 100% POSITIVE FEED BACK ON AUDIOGON AND EBAY USERNAME: ALFA_LOVER.
FEDEX Ground shipping in the USA (CONUS only )- ACTUAL COST TO BE PAID BY BUYER
If you use PayPal then please add 3.5%
Aesthetix of the US has been building fabulous audio components for over 20 years. Their multi-award winning designs have received accolades from the audio community and the Press.
Use the link provided above to access the Product page for the component offered here and their website in general.
The Calypso tube linestage preamp has an excellent reputation as one of the best, but like all audio components - even at $5000.00 - it was built to a price point. If one wants to step-up to on e of the best preamps in the world, they can go for a Calypso Signature Edition.
A basic Calypso offers:
• Fully balanced differential circuitry with ability to internally balance a single ended input signal.
• Zero feedback.
• Discrete switched resistor volume control with 88 1dB steps.
• All tube amplification and output (4 tubes total).
• Two sets of XLR and two sets of RCA outputs per channel.
• Bypass mode for home theatre processor throughput.
• Absolute phase, selectable via front panel or remote control.
• Full function remote included.
From their website:
"The Signature version uses custom-made inter-stage Teflon hybrid coupling capacitors, replacing the polypropylene units, between the gain stage and output stage (2 per channel). The change in these capacitors results in higher resolution, extension, less grain and more air. The 2uF output coupling capacitors (4 per channel) are replaced with 4uF Dynamicaps. This change provides more drive, bass extension, resolution and dynamics while also reducing grain........"
They go on to describe other parts improvements and benefits, but there's approximately 80 parts that have to be replaced or added for this upgrade, which is worth over $2,000.00.
You can see some of those improvements it be photos here, and note the "SIGNATURE" stencil that has been added to the display window. (You have to look really closely at the photo!)
Bonus: There's $350.00 worth of NOS Amperex Bugle Boy 6922 SQ/PQ (Halo Getter, Gold Pins) tubes installed in this preamp that are only around a year old; they should last a long time.
Other NOS 12AX7 tubes (2 needed) may be available from my stash of tubes, please email me for details).
If you had to buy a new Aesthetix Calypso Signature, it would cost you $7000.00 US and they rarely appear on the used market. If you want to take a big step-up to one if the best, you can have this one for $3600.00
CALYPSO SIGNATURE
The Signature version uses custom-made inter-stage Teflon hybrid coupling capacitors, replacing the polypropylene units, between the gain stage and output stage (2 per channel). The change in these capacitors results in higher resolution, extension, less grain and more air. The 2uF output coupling capacitors (4 per channel) are replaced with 4uF Dynamicaps. This change provides more drive, bass extension, resolution and dynamics while also reducing grain. Highly specialized adjustable air-core capacitors, used primarily in the radio-frequency realm, are installed and adjusted to "tweak" each unit to a rigid standard. The five rubber feet are replaced with Harmonic Resolutions Systems' Nimbus Couplers specially made for Aesthetix (Earlier Signature Saturn pieces did not incorporate this, please contact Aesthetix for this free upgrade if you have an earlier Signature piece without the Nimbus Couplers). This change results in a lower noise floor and more air and space. The cost of these specialized parts alone is about 1/4 the manufacturing cost of a brand new unit! that can be bettered by our special stock of graded and matched tubes are replaced. Any other improvements needed to make the unit current are installed, including software updates, etc. A new lens with "SIGNATURE" stenciled is installed. Each Signature unit undergoes rigorous test procedures and listening.
SPECS:
Any Inputs: 5 line RCA or XLR (balanced), plus 1 tape, RCA or XLR
Outputs: 2 RCA (SE) and XLR (balanced), 1 tape RCA
Line level gain: 23 dB single ended (SE), in/out, and 29 dB balanced/out
Volume control: switched resistor network volume control with 88 1 dB steps
Front panel controls: main input, tape input select, volume, balance, phase, mute, display, and bypass
Remote controls: main input, tape input select, volume, balance, phase, mute, display, bypass and standby
Frequency response: +- 0.25 dB, 20 Hz - 20 Khz
Signal to noise: measured at 70 dB minimum, A-weighted (ref 1 mv input, 75 dB gain setting)
Line input impedance: 40 k ohms SE, 80 k ohms balanced
Maximum line input: 3.5 volts SE, 7.0 volts RMS balanced
Output impedance: 1K ohms SE, 600 ohms balanced
Recommended amplifier load: 10K ohms or greater (SE), 20K ohms or greater (Balanced)
Tubes, each channel: (line section) V1 (12AX7 or equivalent), V2 (6922/6DJ8)
Power consumption: 20 watts standby, 60 watts active
Physical dimensions: 4 3/8" high, 17 7/8" wide, 18" deep including jacks
Shipping weight: 40 lbs.
REVIEWS:
Specifications subject to improvement or change without notice.
...this preamp, in this system, brings a magic to the music I have been searching for." -Paul McGowan, CEO and Co-Founder of PS Audio in his blog PS Tracks (August 2013) read post
Speed and detail... highs without a glint of shrillness... low noise floor... hours of glorious, fatigue-free listening." -The Absolute Sound High-End Audio Buyers Guide (Spring 2013, CALYPSO and JANUS SIGNATURE)
The sound is huge in scale and reach. Stereo imaging is among the widest we've ever heard, and lacks for nothing in precision or intimacy. Add the exceptional build quality and you have one of the finest pre/power amps that money can buy." -What Hi-Fi? (UK, 2012, CALYPSO SIGNATURE linestage and ATLAS MONO amplifiers), "30 Stunning Stereo Amps"
Natural, sophisticated and accurate sound." -Như DũngSồhóa (Vietnam, 2012, CALYPSO linestage), read review
-Nghe Nhìn (Vietnam, 2011): CALYPSO linestage
HiFi+ Guide to The Crème de la Crème (UK, 2011): CALYPSO SIGNATURE linestage
The Absolute Sound Golden Ear Award (2010): CALYPSO SIGNATURE linestage
The Absolute Sound Product of the Year (2003): CALYPSO linestage
The Calypso Signature is in a different league, its lack of musical constriction, character or emphasis allowing it to perform just as a great linestage should - almost invisibly" -Roy Gregory, HiFi Plus (UK, 2011, CALYPSO SIGNATURE linestage), download PDF (4 MB)
The sheer all-round ability of the Signature means its not too fussy about partners...Calypso will gladly uncover astonishing levels of detail and impressive scale."- What Hi-Fi? "5 Stars" (UK, 2011, CALYPSO SIGNATURE)
...characterized by extremely wide dynamics, with an effortlessness in reproducing dynamic shadings along a continuum... transparency and detail resolution are first-rate... competes with the megabuck preamps... musically stunning and beautifully built." -Robert Harley, The Absolute Sound Editor's Choice Award (2005-2011, CALYPSO and CALYPSO SIGNATURE linestage)
A beautifully built, smartly designed, crisply functioning, versatile, and sonically brilliant preamplifier." -Stereophile Class A Recommended Component: CALYPSO and CALYPSO SIGNATURE linestage
+9.5 LPs - "extreme lack of noise and distortion offers natural detail and harmonics to be heard to the limits of the recording... a wonderful feeling of rhythm and flow..." -10Audio.com (2011, CALYPSO SIGNATURE linestage), read review
Arguably the most natural-sounding preamp for this money" -What Hi-Fi? Sound & Vision Magazine "Five Stars" (UK, 2008, CALYPSO linestage), read review
one of the most enjoyable, musically satisfying preamplifiers I have had the pleasure of reviewing" -Michael Fremer Stereophile (2005, CALYPSO SIGNATURE), read review
Calypso provides the kind of performance that you just won't hear with anything else anywhere near its price point, and it's better than many things that cost twice as much." -Shane Buettner, Audio Perfectionist Journal (2003, CALYPSO linestage), download PDF (1/2 MB)
