Aesthetix Calypso and Herron VTSP 2


Both of these preamps are highly rated tube linestages with remotes. Has anyone had any experience with them that they can share? Thanks
128x128nathanu
I introduced the Calypso into my system last August and I have been enjoying music like never before. I have no itch to upgrade anytime soon. And I don't know what I could move onto from here anyway without spending at minimum double the money. I DID have a tube noise issue though (one 12ax7), and the unit was built just prior to my purchasing new. I was quite upset as one could imagine. The dealer sent me Tesla warranty replacements which also had one noisy tube. But I was able to make a quiet pair between the four. I spoke to Jim White at Aesthetix and he was also a bit surprised by this info. He offered to send me out another set of Tesla's, but I told him that wouldn't be necessary. The dealer had also sent me three different sets of 12ax7's to experiment with when I purchased the unit. Out of the three, I settled on GE Lonplates, which I then A/B'd against the stock (and quiet) Tesla's. I preferred the GE's and that is what I currently run. This unit also has a fairly lengthy break-in period as Aaudiophile has pointed out, but boy is it worth it. Everytime I see one of these for sale here I think either there is an impedance mismatch between pre and amps, or the user has not fully broken it in. 'Cause I just can't imagine anyone parting with this gem.
I don't claim to be an audio guru, but I gotta believe this is a world class piece of gear at this price point. Hope this wasn't a case of TMI...
I really like my Joule Electra LA150 MkII. Kinda off topic but just finished working and am kinda bored. Gonna watch "Dancing With The Stars" with my wife tonight.
Oh what the heck, we had the Joule LA-200 and LA-150 mentioned, I'll throw in the LA-100 MkIII. I hope to be comparing it to the Herron shortly. The Joule is quite a nice performer though.
I really like it (think I already said that). It is, at the same time, more open, naturally dynamic, and musical than the $8,200.00 tube pre I had before.
Tomryan,

I hope to meet Jud Barber this weekend at CES and listen to the LA-150. However, I was a little disappointed to find out that you can no longer upgrade from the LA-100 to LA-150. That would have been more cost effective for me.