Aesthetix vs ARC

The Aesthetix Callisto Signature retails for $13,000 including a $2,000 remote control. $11,000 without remote.

The ARC Ref 6 retails for $14,000.

The ARC Ref 10 retails for $30,000.

Ultimately, what’s important is the sound, as sfall states. However, the sound quality we get is usually limited by the amount of money we can afford to spend. I know that a cheaper system can sound better than a more expensive one, but if one carefully puts his system together, the more expensive one should sound better. I know that my system’s sound has improved as I have bought more expensive components.

How many boxes the component consists of is usually not a big factor in what we buy.

So I think that most people shopping for a preamp would compare the Callisto to the Ref 6 and feel that the Ref 10 is out of their price range. However, if $16,000 is chump change to you, you might compare the Callisto to the Ref 10.

Actually, The correct comparison would be the Aesthetix Callisto Signature or Eclipse to the ARC Ref 5se, not the Calypso. Here’s a link to a comparison of the Calypso to the Callisto:

https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/review-aesthetix-callisto-signature-tube-preamp

The ARC uses the 6H30 tube. If you like that tube then ARC might be right for you. You can’t change it for anything else, though. The Callisto has a bunch of tubes that you can roll to tune the sound to your taste, maybe too many tubes for many people.

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Aesthetix or ARC, whichever way you go, I would mate the pre-amp to a solid state power amp for best effect.  If you like the Aesthetix get the Calypso Signature. Happy Listening!