The time has come to part with my Aesthetix Calypso Signature preamp. I will start by saying that I have both the black and a silver front face plate kits (includes the buttons). The preamp will come with both. I think I paid around £400 for the additional currently fitted black one. I am happy to change the panel if needed before handing it over. I have added a pic with the silver faceplate below.
The Calypso comes in 3 versions. The standard model, the upgraded Signature model and the top of the line Eclipse. The Eclipse being a £4k upgrade and can be carried out on any standard or Signature model if required.
It is fully balanced from input to output and features 5 Line inputs (XLR or RCA) and 1 x tape output (RCA) in addition there are 3 outputs (1 x XLR and 2 x RCA plus 1 tape RCA)
It’s a really great sounding preamp and has been faultless through my ownership during the last 7 years or so. Most of you know that my phonostage and DAC are also Aesthetix so I’m a bit of a fanboi of the brand. For me the Calypso does everything you would expect from a great valve preamp and is capable of producing some truly holographic imaging. It uses 2 x 12AX7 and 2 x 6922/6DJ8 valves and runs reasonably cool so doesn’t need excessive space above it in a rack. An inch or two should be fine.
You will find loads of reviews online so Google away.
Full spec and further info here:
Inputs: 5 line RCA or XLR (balanced), plus 1 tape, RCA or XLR
Outputs: 2 RCA (SE) and XLR (balanced), 1 tape RCA
Line level gain: 23 dB single ended (SE), in/out, and 29 dB balanced/out
Volume control: switched resistor network volume control with 88 1 dB steps
Front panel controls: main input, tape input select, volume, balance, phase, mute, display, and bypass
Remote controls: main input, tape input select, volume, balance, phase, mute, display, bypass and standby
Frequency response: ± 0.25 dB, 20 Hz - 20 Khz
Signal to noise: measured at 70 dB minimum, A-weighted (ref 1 mv input, 75 dB gain setting)
Line input impedance: 40 k ohms SE, 80 k ohms balanced
Maximum line input: 3.5 volts SE, 7.0 volts RMS balanced
Output impedance: 1K ohms SE, 600 ohms balanced
Recommended amplifier load: 10K ohms or greater (SE), 20K ohms or greater (Balanced)
Tubes, each channel: (line section) V1 (12AX7 or equivalent), V2 (6922/6DJ8)
Power consumption: 20 watts standby, 60 watts active
Physical dimensions: 4 3/8" high, 17 7/8" wide, 18" deep including jacks
Shipping weight: 18kg.
Some info on the upgrades the Signature version has over the standard version. Having also previously owned the standard version for some time I can confirm that the Signature is big improvement all round:
The Signature version uses custom-made inter-stage Teflon hybrid coupling capacitors, replacing the polypropylene units, between the gain stage and output stage (2 per channel). The change in these capacitors results in higher resolution, extension, less grain and more air. The 2uF output coupling capacitors (4 per channel) are replaced with 4uF Dynamicaps. This change provides more drive, bass extension, resolution and dynamics while also reducing grain. Highly specialized adjustable air-core capacitors, used primarily in the radio-frequency realm, are installed and adjusted to “tweak” each unit to a rigid standard. The five rubber feet are replaced with Harmonic Resolutions Systems’ Nimbus Couplers specially made for Aesthetix (Earlier Signature Saturn pieces did not incorporate this, please contact Aesthetix for this free upgrade if you have an earlier Signature piece without the Nimbus Couplers). This change results in a lower noise floor and more air and space.
The preamp comes in its original box with remote and manual.
The current UK retail for the Signature model is £10k
Selling for £3950
