Aesthetix Calypso Stereo Tube Preamplifier

Price reduced $500 from initial posting!!! There is still room to negotiate so make an offer!

I used this amp for 5 years until early January this year when I turned my system to all solid state for reasons of convenience to other family members (which is why I'm selling my other tube gear in Audiogon), so the preamp has not been used since early January, and I finally decided that I won't need a preamp anymore as the surround sound controller I've been using can be connected directly to the power amplifier (while giving up some tube virtues like warmth etc.)

In June 2011 I replaced all 4 tubes for no other reason than the fact that I thought it was necessary after 4 years. But I was later told by someone at Aesthetix that the tubes can last even beyond 10,000 hours, and he recommended to replace them at 10,000 hours to be safe. The replacement tubes had been purchased earlier from Audio Research while purchasing other tubes for Audio Research gear. As you may know, Audio Research tubes undergo rigorous testing and quality control.

This preamp has been reviewed exceptionally well in the audio magazines some 4 or so years ago. and I hope you can find these reviews on the web. What immediately struck me when I first auditioned it was its significantly wider soundstage than some more expensive tube preamps I compared it against. Also it's warm yet pure and resolving sound is immediately evident as the reviews will attest.

The amp contains 5 inputs (balanced and single ended), a tape input (balanced and single ended), a tape output (single ended), and two identical outputs (balanced and single ended) so you can connect a second amp or subwoofer. There is also a full function remote which can control other Aesthetix gear such as the Janus and Rhea. The amp is extremely well behaved, never causing any noise when switching it on or off while connected to power amps which happen to be turned on.

The condition of the preamp is excellent both in operation and visually, but because of age and a couple of very faint water mark like stains on the top plate (as can be seen in one of the pictures) I gave it an 8 out or 10. Otherwise it seems like new and has no scratches that I could find. I will ship it in the original box and packing materials, and include the manual, remote, and power cord.