Aesthetix Calypso vs ARC LS25 MK2



Looking for insight from folk's who have compared these two pre's either head to head
in the same system (preferably) or experience with both in different systems.

I'm not looking at any other pre's at this time,
so please don't muddy up the thread with other pre's I should consider.

Thanks in advance...
perfectionist
Hey all, I just got my Calypso (used on Audiongon) just last week. Hey Perfectionist, I also have the ARC LS25 mk1.
The Calypso WITH my Rhea is a better match then with my Ls25. I need more time to listen, however.
Also, I may have a slight noise problem with either a tube OR one of my ASL Hurricane power amps. I will also report back.

P.S. My Audiogon person I bought from has been very supportive.

Hey Folks...I'm new to Audiogon ( a couple of weeks). I must say, this is one of the best threads I've read on any forum (Bikes, cameras, golf...etc.) in a long time. It's been a blast to read and learn from your experiences. Thanks for sharing!


Lots and lots of Jazz (Miles, Coltrane, Ellis Marsalis, Sony Rollins...etc.), fusion Jazz, R&B/Soul (Frankie Beverly), and of course the older R&B (Marvin Gaye, Ray Charles, Isley Brothers...etc.).

My personal feeling for music, is that it is much like wine. I listen to what I like vs. what people say sounds good. And just like my wine, I have musical preferences, but can listen to, and enjoy it all.
Markeef, glad you found this thread useful. Many of the decisions I've made regarding my system have come from knowledge gained from the forums here on Agon.

I see I never did update this thread after I installed the Mullard 12ax7's and Amperex 6922's.

I'm still running both sets and they are wonderful. I've had no desire to try any others. One of the 12ax7's has developed a hiss quite a bit more then the other. It varies throughout the volume range. That is, I can be at say volume# 47 with cdp stopped, and the culprit tube may have audible hiss from the listening position. I can usually run the volume up or down and come back to #47, and the hiss will be greatly diminished. Why this is, I don't know.
I do know it is not bad enough to make me want to replace them.

I will also say that I've had no desire to try any other pre's in my system. Very content...