SS. Amp to go well with Aesthetix Calypso Preamp.

What's the output impedance specification of the Calypso?

If that's the case, then I can't think of any SS that wouldn't work.

However, many tube preamps have relatively high output impedance specs that make them poor matches with anything below 20k, so while Jim says the Calypso will work with just about anything, I'm hesitant without knowing the actual output impedance specification.

There's a used BEL 1001 MK V in your price range listed now.

If you are driving speakers with substantial swings in their impedance curve, you're going to want a SS amp that doubles power as impedance is halved.

Those are pretty good nominal output impedance specifications, but nominal output impedance can be misleading.

Check the measurements section of the Stereophile review and see if Atkinson mentions significant rises in the output impedance into lower loads. This is a characteristic of tube preamps. He would have mentioned this if he observed it, and if so, it would suggest possible bass roll-off if used with low impedance SS amps (say below 20k-25k). Atkinson will often be specific about this match.

I recall having read the Stereophile measurements as mentioned above.

I cannot understand why Jim would state this:

02-23-09: Russb
Jim at Aesthetix told me the Calypso will work with amps. that have a 10k input impedance or greater.