What preamps outshine the Aesthetix Calypso?


I am interested in upgrading my preamp from the Calypso. It is a fine preamp, but I am looking for a preamp that is more dynamic and "involving". Ancillary equipment is the PS Audio Perfect Wave DAC/Transport, a VAC Phi 200 power amp, and Sehring 703 floorstanders. The VAC preamps seem a bit too expensive for my tastes. The TRL Dude is intriguing but is simply too heavy for my audio rack. So, I am considering linestages from EAR, Shindo, BAT, and possibly Audio Horizons

I know the Calypso is a fine preamp. Can anyone advise me on what preamps really outshine the Calypso? My budget is $5K or so.
mcondon

Showing 2 responses by jafox

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
Hello Chris,
I passed the Callisto Sig onto a friend in late 2007. A few months later I took delivery of the Aria WV5 XL and never looked back. 8-)