SS. Amp to go well with Aesthetix Calypso Preamp.

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.

Tvad

Thank You for your support. I will read over the review.

Russ

The Theta Dreadnaught amplifier works very well with the Calypso. If you can find a 2-channel one it should fit your budget.

Here is an old thread. http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?aamps&1141898495&read&keyw&zzaesthetix In it it is claimed that Jim at Aesthetix at one time did use Ayre equipment in conjunction with his own. There is an old thread about a compatibility problem with some of the older stuff, and then Charles Hansen (Ayre) chimes in and explains an old bug that has been eliminated. Anyway Ayre might end up on your short list, in which case this old thread may prove useful.

I participated in the old thread mentioned above by Mmike84. I can still say without hesitation that the Ayre amps are a great match with the Calypso. No more hum issues unless you happen on a older V5.
I can also say with a certainty that the Theta Dreadnaught I is a great match also (2 channel and hard to find.) It offers a little more power and a bigger bottom. If there is a weakness to the V5xe(if you want to call it that), it is that the bottom octave is a touch light. Imaging and depth is its strong suit.
The Ayre and Theta's are some of the best amps around for use with Vandersteen speakers if you want SS. Since I use Vandersteen's exclusively, I cannot speak to other speakers.
The sound of no negative feedback amps with time aligned speakers makes for one heck of a sonic presentation.
I really want to give Jim White's Atlas power amp a run since it falls into this camp also. May never happen though!