Aesthetix Calypso is preamplifier designed
of light, especially useful for stereo music because of natural, sophisticated
and exact sounds.
Price:
about 5000USD
There are two versions of Calypso pre-amp:
Standard using gold Rel Cap capacitors (about USD 5000) and Signature using red
Dynacap capacitors (about USD7000). Calypso is designed and assembled manually
in California, USA. It has 2 colors - black or silver and weighs 18.1kg with
Aesthetix logo in front and steel A-shaped keys. The case is made totally by
aluminum with 0.7mm of thickness, so it can resist noises very well. The lid of
the case doesn’t use screws that easily take it out to observe by hand. The version
we tested was Calypso Standard gold silver Cap Rel capacitors.
Being a machine processed thoroughly in
terms of technology and art, Calypso preamplifier is a great mind of the
2-channel hi-end stereo. In experience, we have connected with main sources:
Denon DCD 3300, professional cassette Beocord 9000 of Bang Olufsen and Pioneer
XL-1550 (metal Pioneer MM) via phono pre Music Hall pa1.2.
Aesthetix
Calypso has smart control, even preventing children from turning buttons.
We experienced power function of the
integrated amplifier Technics SU-V100D 150W power/6 Ohm with the design using
two power transformers by OFC copper in two mono parallel circuits. Sound was
reflected strongly, fully, thoroughly and clearly. Bass was full and flexible;
mid sound was bright, clear; high sound was full but only moderate, not
satisfying if we listened in a long time…When listening to Beethoven Violin
Concerto (Royal Concergebouw Orchestra) and Bruch Violin Concerto No1
(London Philharmonic Orchestra) by Kyung – Wha Chung pianist along with Klaus
Tennstedt conductor, the system played Beethoven well but the part of Bruch,
Kyung – Wha Chung was not as beautiful as Pinchas Zukerman.
We switched to try Bozak 929 power
amplifier which had the total capacity is 520W/8Ohm and run 12 iron Motorola
shells. Calypso and Bozak 929 was the combination between old and new. Bozak
929 power amplifier was intended to be invented for large speakers of the
company such as Bozak B-410 Moorish The Concert Grand, so when it went with
large preamplifier and speakers, they were still “perfect couple” though they
were not made up in the same era. The difference between Bozak 929 and Technics
SU-V100D was just “American accent” with Calypso preamplifier and Infinity
speaker.
When being paired with light Calypso
preamplifier, Bozak 929 also created a good coordination of light and
semiconductor which was sharper each time we listen. With Calypso, bass of
Bozak was deeper and wider compared with Technics SU-V100D; the mid sound was
impeccable, especially with original records on cassette and LP; the high sound
was excellent. Guitare/Cello Faro Robert Wolf und Fany Kammerlander CD
published by GLM in 2004 in Germany was a good album whose category was hard to
identify. It was played by classical instruments but the program was not
restricted in classical authors. Over 11 songs of the album, track 6 La Vida
Breve of Manuel de Falla (the greatest classical author of Spain) was still
the most impressive. It was a polish transcription for guitar and cello.
Listening to The Glenn Gould Edition – Bach – Toccatas BWV 910 – 916 CD
box, we met soft piano sound as clavecin (harpshichor) of Gould.
Listening to Wandering River of Viet
Anh in Thanh Lam Acoustic CD or Stars và Set You Free in Stockfisch
Records – Closer To The Music – Vol. 2, we found that not only instruments
but also voices were supported by light Calypso. Righteous and jovial voice of
John Denver in John Denver’s Greatest Hits LP was also moving and able
to break many hearts of young ladies.
Calypso
has a large number of features…
In another experience, Calypso ran with
Monoblock Rogue Audio M180 180Wpc capacity for impedance 8 Ohm/a lump. These
two monoblocks beat AR TSW 610, Infinity Studio Monitor 150, Paradigm Monitor
11 v7 (new 100%) and especially Reference 3A Episode (new 100%) speakers. They
used Analysis Plus Big Silver Oval wire.
Calypso had met “its partners” when being
paired with M180 monoblocks of Rogue Audio. Together with AR TSW 610,
especially with Infinity Studio Monitor 150, the system became powerful,
strong, subtle but still rustic; whereas playing with Paradigm Monitor 11 v7 or
Reference 3A Episode, they turned to be perfect because they were manufactured
in the same year with the same price range (3A Episode). If the main idea of
Calypsp and M180 was reckless in design, 3A Episode was simple and romantic.
They filled each other and brought a perfect and balanced solution.
Playing back a cassette tape recording
Bach’s hymns by Beocord 9000 with the system above and Episode, we saw that
bass was deep, rounded and moving the body but it did not shake the furniture.
Orchestra and chorus swirled. All huge tower speakers in Episode were smooth
and there was no music grit.
Technical specifications
Input: 5 RCA or XLF (balance) lines, add 1
Tape (RCA or XLR)
Output: 2 RCA and XLR (balance), 1 Tape
(RCA)
Volume control: 88 step volume control
circuit, 1dB/step
Control monitor: input, volume, balance,
phase, display, mute, bypass
Remote control: input, volume, balance,
phase, display, mute, bypass and standby
Response frequency: 20 Hz - 20 KHz at -0,25
dB
Vacuum tubes per channel: 1 12AX7 tube, 1
6922/6DJ8 tube
Power consumption: 20 watt standby, 60 watt
active
Dimension: height x width x depth: 11.1 x
45.4 x 45.7 cm including connectors
Transport volume: 18.1 kg
General remarks
Advantages
Light design, sustainable with two
monoblocks inside
Disadvantages
Not taking advantage of older equipment
(Technics SU-V100D).
