Has anyone used the aesthetix calypso preamp?

I use the Calypso with a pair of Vandersteen 2Wq's and Vandersteen 3a Signatures. The Aesthetix is driving an Ayre V5x. This is by far and away the best sound I have ever had out of my system. The Calypso is a preamp that can be honestly compared to the best out there and you will not feel cheated! It truly is a great buy, well built and offers unbelievable sound. After listening to a lot of other "Expensive" preamps, I just can't recommend it high enough!

I was going to invest in a Calypso, but after reading the online documentation that warned against using it with low-impedance amplifiers, I went a different direction.

The MusicalSurroundings.com site quotes the following:

Recommended load is >50K ohms"

Both of my amps at the time, a Pass X-250 and Sim Audio Titan, operate at 20-22Kohms, less then HALF of the reccomendation. So they will work great with SOME amps - not great with others.

Check your amp specs before making any assumptions about compatibility.

BTW - I looked up the input impedance of the Ayre V5x that Bigtee uses and your Plinius SA250. The Ayre's 100k load is 'SAFE' for use with this pre, and your Plinius is 47k.

Though fairly close to the recommended 50k, you MAY experience some minor softening of dynamics and extension when used with the Calypso.

I suggest you contact Musical Surroundings to discuss your particular situation before any purchase.

I was checking in the owners manual and there is actually no statement to the minimum impedance that can be used with this preamp. Bhouser brings up a good point with this. I think, however, that the 50k is refering to a balanced impedance into the amp since the Aesthetix pre is designed to be used for balanced ins and outs. It actually converts a single ended input to a true balanced circuit in the preamp. This would place a single ended impedance at 25k for the amp. (The single ended outs are converted from balanced also) I use the Ayre in balanced configuration which shows a 200k input impedance to the Calypso(100k on each leg.)
I would give Aesthetix a call and ask them.
I used an Audible Illusions L-2 that was rated for no less than a 20k input but Art ferris told me 10k was ok and it did not use a buffer circuit like the Calypso which should make it immune somewhat to impedance mismatches.