Balanced preamp recommendations


Looking for a tube preamp that I can use in a balanced system. I love the sound of the cj Premier 17ls but it is single-ended only. Any recommendations for something along those lines that supports balanced connections?
steve5725
As much as I love my BAT VK-50SE, I'd also look pretty hard at the Aesthetix. It was in quite a few rooms at CES and it sounded good, has nice looks and a spiffy user interface. The price is good.

Regards,
The Aesthetix Calypso line stage has a remote. The Callisto (the more expensive unit) does not, but I've heard that Jim White has been working on a remote for it as an option.

Steve5725, I know of no superior alternative to the Aesthetix Calypso at near its price level. Another worthy candidate in this same price ballpark would be the Atma-Sphere MP-3. If you are committed to having a balanced linestage, these would be my recommendations for your consideration.

Moving up from this price point there are some other good options, such as the Aesthetix Callisto, the Atma-Sphere MP-1, the BAT 51SE.

All of these are superior line stages independent of being true balanced circuits.

But, are you sure that balanced circuitry will give you superior sound thus making it a priority? In my experience, the results of balanced v. single-ended can be very system dependent and not by any means a foregone conclusion. This is even more the case where the equipment is from different manufacturers. YMMV of course.

For example, I have a balanced circuit Aesthetix Io with volume controls driving a balanced circuit Atma-Sphere MA-2 amplifiers. I use single-ended interconnects between them: the sound is marvelous. Jonathan Valin reported a similar experience with balanced circuit equipment in a review he wrote in TAS not so long ago. So, just checking in on assumptions...
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