Aesthetix Calypso Signature

About three months ago I helped dial in a Mimas ( w internal DAC ) and Vandersteen Treo CT, sublime sound.
helping a buddy w Eclipse pre into Vandersteen M5 into Quattro. He is considering a Pandora which is a formidable DAC ( I own the signature )
Jim Wite and team make great sounding, well engineered and importantly well supported gear ! Have fun, enjoy the music !!!

My response from another thread:

I have gone from the Calypso/Atlas to the Aesthetix Mimas with a pit stop in between. I owned the Calypso/Atlas for many years driving a pair of Vandersteen cloth Quatro’s. It was a great combination and I lost all system envy for those 5 years. My Aesthetix pieces were the standard versions. 

I had to sell the system when I moved to Italy and when I came back I moved into a loft and no longer had a dedicated listening room. I bought a different system with an Ayre Integrated and Harbeth SHL5+ speakers. Harbeth’s play better at low volumes than any other speaker I have heard and that was important to me. I lived happily with that system for a few years.

Last year I heard the Aesthetix Mimas integrated paired with Vandersteen Treo CT’s and decided to make the change. I have always loved the Aesthetix/Vandersteen combination and missed it when it was gone. The Mimas seems to have a more musical character than what I remember of the separates though not by much. Since I had the standard version of those pieces it may be that the Eclipse versions sound much better than the standards.My dealer thinks that the simpler circuit and the use of only 1 tube per channel may be the reason. Aesthetix now makes a preamp, the Pallene, that uses the same circuit and he likes it better than the Calypso. AGON member tomstruck uses this combination with his Quatro’s.

I have heard the Vandersteen 7’s with an Eclipse Atlas and the new Aesthetix Metis preamp and I think it sounds better than any of the amps I have heard with the 7’s. The Metis may be the best preamp I have ever heard. This system also has the Io phono stage with the AMG Viella turntable, the Aesthetix Romulus and it is the best system I have ever heard. Just my opinion of course. 

I have just ordered the internal DAC board for the Mimas and will be looking into the phono board as well.

Good Luck with your updated Io!

Resurrecting this portion of the Aesthetix topic, anyone still use Aesthetix? Yes, going on 16 years or so. 
Awaiting for my IO to return from the factory as a partial Eclipse version with 2 power supplies. I opted to keep it basic, no volume controls, or extra inputs as I love the simplicity and function as is.

I look forward to getting it back and trying out my new Soundsmith Hyperion.
Anyone else still enjoying their Aesthetix equipment?

Good to read about so many fans- All.

Happy Listening!

I'm all in on Aesthetix. I want the best sound for my ear, but I don't want to go through the brain damage and expense of buying and selling (at a loss) in the search. My dealer handles many brands and he lets me demo equipment at home for extended periods, and that's why I have an Atlas Eclipse, Romulus Signature and am awaiting delivery of a Janus Eclipse. Jim White of Aesthetix is accessible and ready to discuss the differences in his equipment line and other topics such as (for me) the pros/cons of integrated vs separate phone stages. I believe that using a single manufacturer for all components (more often than not) produces a synergy whereby each component compliments the other. Along with my Aesthetix equip, I use a McIntosh streamer/NAS and a maxed-out LP-12. So if I ever want a lighter sound, or more bass punch, I'll go straight to the source and change out my cartridge. I know that sound change will seamlessly pass through my components to my ear.  I'm not searching for the holy grail of sound because I know I'd run out of money before I found it. But Aesthetix gives me the sound that my ears/brain love - and its pleasing to look at - rather that a hodge-podge of mismatching "aesthetics" - pun intended.

I'm using the Janus signature in my rig and love it.  Can be be a bit fussy on tubes though especially in the phono stage.  Tube rush when playing loud.  Also appreciate being back to full feature pre for both my phono front end and digital.  I've played a little with nos tubes and they can make a significant improvement though can get expensive with all those tubes.  I use the matsushita's from Andy at VTS.

TY- limniscate & rushton.

I feel this company is producing excellent tubed gear that competes w/ the old stalwarts-ARC and Conrad Johnson.

Anyone still using Aesthetix gear? It is some of the very best tubed electronics. Happy Listening!

Jfant, I'm still wedded to my Aesthetix Io Signature with volume controls for my front end. After fifteen years with this phono stage, I've not heard anything I'd exchange it for other than the Eclipse upgrade. 

I'm using a Calypso Signature with my Magnepan 3.7i's, Sanders Magtech, and Schiit Bifrost Multibit.  Switched out the tubes to Shuguang 12ax7 prototypes and Reflektor '75 Silver Shields.

I upgraded from an Odyssey Candela and was a little underwhelmed.  It's definitely better than the Candela but probably not worth the additional cost.  The Calypso did improve with the tube changes though. 

Anyone still using Aesthetix gear? It is some of the very best tubed electronics. Happy Listening!

anyone else got the upgrade??
Just got the calypso and can't believe how good it sounds, wonder what it'll be like in signature.

Anyone else done it yet?

Aesthetix Audio has announced their Saturn Series Signature preamplifiers plus the Jupiter Series Io Eclipse and Callisto Eclipse preamplifiers. The Signature versions of the highly regarded Saturn preamplifiers incorporate similar improvements as developed for the Jupiter Signature series. Saturn Signature units use costly custom hybrid Teflon coupling capacitors, replacing the polypropylene units at critical inter-stage points. Both Rhea Signature and Janus Signature use hand tuned RIAA networks. Retail pricing for Calypso Signature line stage and Rhea Signature phono stage are $7,000 each, the Janus Signature full function preamp is $10,000. Standard versions remain in the line at $4,500 for the Calypso, $4,000 for the Rhea and $6,500 for the Janus. Any Saturn preamp can be factory upgraded to Signature status beginning in the 3rd quarter of 2008. Signature upgrade is $2,500 for the Calypso, $3,000 for the Rhea, and $3,500 for the Janus.

hi frankg,my Aesthetix Calypso Signature is to arrive ,but my english is too bad,so i will take a few photos later

The upgrade cost $3500

What does the upgrade cost please???

I have the Janus that I upgraded to Signature a few months ago. I think it is fantastic. It is the best preamp and phono stage I have ever heard.

I bought the unit used. It was already at Aesthetix as the previous owner was getting it checked out and ready to sell as he moved up to the Jupiter series. Aesthetix fully upgraded the unit and included a new 3 year warrenty.

I highly recommend the upgrade. The people there are great to work with as well. It will take a while as I understand a lot of Saturn series owners are doing the upgrade.