Aesthetix Calypso vs ARC LS25 MK2

I too have been watching this thread from afar. Please listen closely to John, for he does an excellent job portraying his personal experiences with both products. We here in Minneapolis can not help but be barraged with AR product in that they are build fifteen minutes from me, and one of our two high end stores push AR like they have some money under the table.

Prior to Aesthetix's introduction of the Calypso, the AR were in a vast group of components that provided varying degrees of sonic quality. The Calypso took all the sonic qualities of the Callisto and packaged it into a very affordable single box solution. The bar has been raised, and in the price range you will have a hard time finding a better product (if it exists) DO NOT LISTEN TO THE CALLISTO UNLESS YOU CAN AFORD THE PRICE OF ADMITION. For us regular folk (folks, folk's) it will pull your heart out lusting for thy friends Callisto. (Come on John, just one more taste)
JD

I was up last night until 4:00 AM (I generally am in bed by 11:00) but last night was my first night auditioning a full complement of Kubala-Sosna Emotion interconnects and two Emotion power cords. I generally listen to one or two cuts from my reference music I use for auditions. (See the Calypso review for list) Rather than one or two tracks, I ended up listening to the whole disk.

It's funny that your second to last paragraph you commented on interconnects and dimensionality. John, you will not believe your ears.

These cables are amazing, they provide better transparency than my Valhallas, and have zero brightness yet at the same time leaving nothing out. This cable did not provide all the Callisto's attributes, but in some ways it tops the Callisto. Piano is wonderful, all the way to the top C key. I have found "the" new reference cable, now I just need to figure out how to get some speaker cables.

Actually John, I want to try them in your system if one meter interconnects work. of course any time the Callisto comes over to play is a good day, so either way. if we do it here we can go back to the NBS and then the Kubala-Sosna. let me know, I'm around this week.

Rja, is WBL White Bear Lake? John, Artg and myself are in the western suburbs. We all met recently and have found a strong three way friendship. Speaking for myself, we would love to add another member to our group of friends. In fact we are about to begin a power cord shoot out on our three systems, maybe you would like to join. I have found having local Audiogon friends has brought this wonderful hobby to a whole new level of enjoyment. What a great world! Why don't you email me privately and I'll give you my phone number...
JD

PS, The bears is just a friend. He happens to love music so he and his friends (I collect bears) all love the music room. Besides it gives my someone to talk to. :>)

I'm not sure how many people have your patience Perfectionist, but I'm glad to here you've gotten there. The speaker issue is one many of us forget to re-address when a new component comes into our systems. For me 1/16th of an inch can be huge sonically, so thank you for reminding all of us about that.
Your experience with the Aurios Pro match my experience. I have tried so many combinations with the Pro's that I know for a fact that everything you try will change the sound, and it is trial and error to find the right combination. I use Orchard Bay titanium cones (no longer made) on my Aurios Pros. I would recommend trying everything you can get your hands on, the isolation can be bigger than tubes and cabling. At least that's my ten cents.
Thanks for the update!
JD

Jupiter, Saturn, aka California. Jafox, if you don't behave yourself I'm going to have to kick you in Uranus next time I'm over.