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Mac C2300 vs Aesthetix Calypso/Rhea?

I currently have an Aesthetix Calypso line stage and Rhea Phone stage for my system (Infinity RS !B's/Mac 275's (2)/TWR Raven AC-Triplaner-Dynavector VS1s) and love the sound. I truly love my Aesthetix but am curious about the Mac C2300 pre amp. The idea of one component rather then two is appealing and ohhhh those Mac blue meters!
I plan to borough a C2300 but I'd be interested to hear form anyone other there would has anything to say about the Mac, Aesthetix and thing my thought are sensible or I'm just out of my mind.

Thanks Rick
RWD
rwd
mtdking
157 posts
 
Your out of your mind. The C2300 would be a step down. Trust me I've owned both. The C2300 is not even truly balanced. Those XLR jacks are just for looks I guess. Not sure why you would put XLR jack if they are not truly balanced.

Aesthetix is very very good. You can't beat them until you get up into the $10,000 range.

Buy some nice tubes for the Aesthetix's instead.
rwd OP
695 posts
 
Thanks Mtdking for your honesty and openness. Just to let you know I do not use balanced cables in my current system. Only RCA.

Rick
(RWD)
lapierre
547 posts
 
Rick that is a good question.

My audition lead me to several Pre Amps including Shindo, Aesthetix's, C2300 and McIntosh C46 which I ended up buying. But I could have easily bought the Aesthetix's and tweaked with upgraded tubes and fuses. Within a year, I ended up buying the C500 after listening to C1000.

My observation is I don't know if the C2300 is going to be significantly better than Aesthetix's combo. I do suggest investing in higher quality tubes for Calypso and Rhea as I did for the C500.

Keep the Asetheti'x combo unless your going to move up to C500 or Callisto Eclipse.
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