AESTHETIX/CALYPSO LINE STAGE

So many of you want to add tubes to your system to take advantage of their enhanced level of musicality and the preamp is the place to start. The Saturn Series of components from Aesthetix are redefining state-of-the-art tube electronics with user-friendly features at a much more affordable price point. The Calypso linestage is no exception. This true dual-mono design utilizes two input tubes in each channel, each with two completely dedicated power supplies: one for the high-current low-voltage tube supply and the other for the low current, high-voltage control circuitry. The internal wiring keeps the signal path as short as possible and every component inside is hand-selected for sound quality. One look at the ceramic tube sockets alone and you'll be convinced. The Calypso has 6 inputs (both RCA and XLR inputs for each source), a full-function remote, absolute phase selectability, two sets of XLR and RCA outputs, a bypass mode for Home Theater processors, and a detachable power cord. This is musicdirect's new reference tube line stage and we encourage you to hear one in your system. You will appreciate the warmth and musicality of this piece without sacrificing an ounce of frequency extension or dynamics. This is a killer preamp.

'Was I impressed by Jim White's Aesthetix Saturn Calypso? Damn straight I was…it held its own and then some, and had one of the best balanced sounds of any audio component I've come across at any price. It was a truly amazing balancing act that had me cranking up the volume and sticking my face right into it, night after night, and never wishing for more or less of anything. The Calypso was one of the most enjoyable, musically satisfying preamplifiers I have ever had the pleasure reviewing!' - Michael Fremer, Stereophile, July 2005

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• Fully balanced differential circuitry with ability to internally balance a single ended input signal.
• Discrete resistor volume control with 66 1dB steps.
• All tube amplification and output (4 tubes total).
• Two sets of XLR and two sets of RCA outputs per channel.
• Bypass mode for home theatre processor throughput.
• Absolute phase, selectable via front panel or remote control.
• Full function remote included.
• The Calypso has a shipping weight of 40lbs and measures 4 3/8' high, 17 7/8' wide and 18' deep (including jacks).
• The Calypso features a switched resistor network volume control with 66 1dB steps. Gain is 23dB single ended (SE) in/out and 29dB balanced/out.
• Input impedance is 40K ohms SE and 80K ohms balanced.
• Maximum input is 3.5v (SE), 7.0v RMS balanced.
• Five standard inputs with RCA (SE) and XLR (balanced) inputs plus 1 tape with RCA and XLR input.
• Two SE (RCA) and balanced (XLR) outputs.
• Controls are main input select, tape input select, volume, balance, phase, mute, display, and bypass.
• Frequency response is +-.25dB, 20Hz–20Khz.
• Calypso line section tube complement is V1 (12AX7WB) and V2 (6922/ 6DJ8) for each channel.
• Output impedance is 300 ohms SE and 600 ohms balanced.
• Recommended load is >10K ohms.
• Power consumption for the Calypso in standby mode is 20 watts, 60 watts in active mode.