{"product_id":"aesthetix-calypso-saturn-series-line-stage-preamplifer","title":"Aesthetix Calypso Saturn Series Line Stage Preamplifer","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Aesthetix Calypso is a high quality tube linestage suitable for audio and home cinema systems. Fully balanced circuitry from input to output, including internal balancing of single-ended inputs, results in common mode signal rejection and a very clean sound. The innovative discrete switched resistor volume control maximises resolution at any listening level. Every input is both single-ended and balanced for greater versatility. Home theatre bypass mode, absolute phase setting and full function remote are added conveniences. The aluminium chassis is rigid, acoustically inert anAd simply beautiful.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Calypso has the following features:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFully balanced differential circuitry with ability to internally balance a single ended input signal.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eZero feedback.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDiscrete switched resistor volume control with 88 1dB steps.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAll tube amplification and output (4 tubes in total).\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTwo sets of XLR and two sets of RCA outputs per channel.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBypass mode for home theatre processor throughput.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAbsolute phase, selectable via front panel or remote control.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFull function remote included.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAll of this attention to detail has resulted in a linestage that transcends what is normally expected from an audiophile piece of equipment. The Calypso scales heights that are normally the realm of uber-expensive products and it does it with ease. Sound quality is the prime objective here and the Calypso is a phenomenal achievement. This value for money quality is spoken about in all the audio press and the Calypso has accumulated many awards \u0026amp; accolades. These reasons are why Aesthetix products have developed a passionate following around the world.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSelect a Specification to Suit Your Needs\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Calypso is available in 3 versions, depending on the level of specification required.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCalypso\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTube linestage using high-grade Rel-Cap polypropylene coupling capacitors.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eStandard edition.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCalypso Signature Series\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe Signature version uses custom-made inter-stage Teflon hybrid coupling capacitors, replacing the polypropylene units, between the gain stage and output stage (2 per channel). The change in these capacitors results in higher resolution, extension, less grain and more air.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe 2uF output coupling capacitors (4 per channel) are replaced with 4uF Dynamicaps. This change provides more drive, bass extension, resolution and dynamics while also reducing grain.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHighly specialised adjustable air-core capacitors, used primarily in the radio-frequency realm, are installed and adjusted to “tweak” each unit to a rigid standard.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe five rubber feet are replaced with Harmonic Resolutions Systems’ Nimbus Couplers specially made for Aesthetix. This change results in a lower noise floor and more air and space.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAny tubes that can be bettered by our special stock of graded and matched tubes are replaced.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAny other improvements needed to make the unit current are installed, including software updates, etc.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA new lens with “SIGNATURE” stencilled is installed.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe cost of these specialized parts alone is about 1\/4 the manufacturing cost of a brand new unit!\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eExisting Calypso units are factory upgradable to Signature specification.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCalypso Eclipse Series\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe Eclipse version uses .22uF \/ 600v Stealth coupling capacitors located between the gain stage and output stage. Four of these exotic capacitors are used.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThere are four 2uF \/ 400v coupling capacitors used in each channel of the output stage of the Calypso. In the Eclipse version, these are replaced with Stealth copper foil 4uF\/400v, improving low frequency response.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHigh frequency tuning capacitors are installed and hand-adjusted to tailor the frequency response to a tight .1dB standard (as also found on our Signature version).\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe high voltage transformer, heater transformer and high voltage choke are all re-installed on isolation mounts.\u003cbr\u003eHarmonic Resolutions Systems’ Nimbus Couplers specially made for Aesthetix replace the four rubber feet of standard units (as also found on our Signature version).\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe new power supply is installed with enhanced ventilation. All Eclipse Rhea, Calypso and Janus units receive a new power supply, which has been refined by improved trace routing to further reduce extraneous noise.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAdditional damping material is added to key chassis points.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA single point ground system is used to ground the transformer cases as they are no longer electrically grounded to the chassis via physical contact due to their isolation mounts.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eExisting Calypso units are factory upgradable to Eclipse specification.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVideos\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ciframe height=\"315\" width=\"560\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/Eld1y-P_AHM\" title=\"YouTube video player\"\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAwards\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0993\/2636\/1921\/files\/Aesthetix_Products_Calypso_Tube_Linestage_1024x1024_734b59a8-3d0a-4646-b55a-34cd67c92e52.jpg?v=1786585621\" alt=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReviews\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAV2Day.com, Lam Seng Fatt, 2015\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Aesthetix Calypso linestage sounded colourless, but not in a bad way as it was doing what a preamp was supposed to be doing – that is adding nothing to the sound. It had no character of its own…The Aesthetix simply recreated what was recorded on the CD without adding any artifact or removing any artifact. It just did its job. If the recording is dynamic, you will hear dynamic sound. If the recording is dull and congested, you will hear dull and congested sound.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"http:\/\/av2day.com\/2015\/12\/no-nonsense-matter-of-fact-aesthetix-calypso\/\"\u003eRead Review\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat Hi-Fi?, 2007\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhen paired with the Aesthetix Atlas power amp, the Calypso preamp makes one of the most natural-sound amplifiers money can buy. 5 stars!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.whathifi.com\/au\/aesthetix\/calypso\/review\"\u003eRead Review\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStereophile, Michael Fremer, 2005\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Aesthetix Saturn Calypso was one of the most enjoyable, musically satisfying preamplifiers I have had the pleasure of reviewing. Your money buys you a beautifully built, smartly designed, crisply functioning, versatile, and, most important, sonically brilliant preamplifier. I could live with it happily ever after. You could spend a great deal more and get more for your money, but you’re just as likely to get less—that’s how good the Saturn Calypso is.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.stereophile.com\/tubepreamps\/705aesthetix\/index.html\"\u003eRead Review\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduct Specifications\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eItem\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAll-tube Linestage (Preamplifier)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eInputs\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e5 line RCA or XLR (balanced), plus 1 tape, RCA or XLR\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOutputs\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e2 RCA (SE) and XLR (balanced), 1 tape RCA\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLine Level Gain\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e23 dB single ended (SE), in\/out, and 29 dB balanced\/out\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVolume Control\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSwitched resistor network volume control with 88 1 dB steps\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrequency Response\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e+- 0.25 dB, 20 Hz – 20 Khz\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSignal to Noise\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMeasured at 70 dB min, A-weighted (ref 1 mv input, 75 dB gain setting)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLine Input Impedance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e40 k ohms (SE), 80 k ohms (Balanced)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMaximum Line Input\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e3.5 volts (SE), 7.0 volts RMS (Balanced)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOutput Impedance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e1K ohms (SE), 600 ohms (Balanced)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFront Panel Controls\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMain input, tape input select, volume, balance, phase, mute, display, and bypass.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRemote Control\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMain input, tape input select, volume, balance, phase, mute, display, bypass and standby.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRecommended Amplifier Load\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e10K ohms or greater (SE), 20K ohms or greater (Balanced)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTubes (per channel)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLine section V1 (12AX7 or equivalent), V2 (6922\/6DJ8)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePower Consumption\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e20 watts standby, 60 watts active\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e457 (W) x 111 (H) x 457 (D) mm\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWeight\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e18.1 kg\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFinish\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBlack or Silver.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWarranty\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e3 years, non-transferable.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe manufacturer reserves the right to change specifications without notice.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Aesthetix","offers":[{"title":"Silver \/ Calypso Standard Saturn Series Line Stage","offer_id":52080124690753,"sku":"AES-CAL-STA-SI","price":14000.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Silver \/ Calypso Signature Saturn Series Line Stage","offer_id":52080124723521,"sku":"AES-CAL-SIG-SI","price":19800.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Silver \/ Calypso Eclipse Saturn Series Line Stage","offer_id":52080124756289,"sku":"AES-CAL-ECL-SI","price":27500.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Black \/ Calypso Standard Saturn Series Line Stage","offer_id":52080124789057,"sku":"AES-CAL-STA-BL","price":14000.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Black \/ Calypso Signature Saturn Series Line Stage","offer_id":52080124821825,"sku":"AES-CAL-SIG-BL","price":19800.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Black \/ Calypso Eclipse Saturn Series Line Stage","offer_id":52080124854593,"sku":"AES-CAL-ECL-BL","price":27500.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0993\/2636\/1921\/files\/186534374_358667718931071_377543914655965089_n.jpg?v=1786585570","url":"https:\/\/www.magentaaudio.com.au\/products\/aesthetix-calypso-saturn-series-line-stage-preamplifer","provider":"Magenta Audio","version":"1.0","type":"link"}