Aesthetix Calypso Line Stage Pre Amplifier

Here we have a high-end and well regarded Calypso all-tube line stage from American company Aesthetix. It is in good condition noting a few tiny blemishes – please refer to photographs, and will be supplied in original factory packaging along with remote control unit, manual and our standard three month warranty.
Aesthetix Say….
Calypso is an all-tube line stage 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 cleaner sound. The innovative discrete switched resister volume control maximizes 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 all-aluminium chassis is rigid, acoustically inert and simply beautiful.
The Calypso is a groundbreaking audio component which combines sonic quality, innovative features and build quality with lineage directly traceable to the reference Callisto stage. Calypso contains solid state circuitry but all of its amplification is achieved using vacuum tubes. The output stage is a vacuum tube based differential driver. There is no global feedback used in the Calypso.
Calypso’s advanced microprocessor-based control circuitry is completely inactive when not in use i.e. when not receiving a command from the user, resulting in no ill effects on sound quality. The unit contains innovative features, such as a switched resistor volume control, theatre bypass mode, phase inversion and others.
The massive power supply consists of a high voltage transformer, heater transformer, and high voltage choke. All of the magnetic components are shielded by a stainless steel transformer cover, which also performs double duty as a structural truss. The high voltage power supply is regulated with a discrete transistor-based regulator. The low voltage solid state power supplies are discretely regulated.
Only the highest quality components are used in the Calypso, including Roederstein resistors, RelCap film capacitors, Custom transformers and Nichicon audio grade electrolytic capacitors. Features:
Fully balanced differential circuitry with ability to internally balance a single ended input signal
Zero feedback
Discrete switched resistor volume control with 88 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
Specifications:
Inputs: 5 line RCA or XLR (balanced), plus 1 tape, RCA or XLR
Outputs: 2 RCA (SE) and XLR (balanced), 1 tape RCA
Line Level Gain: 23 dB single ended (SE), in/out, and 29 dB balanced/out
Volume Control: switched resistor network volume control with 88 1 dB steps
Front Panel Controls: main input, tape input select, volume, balance, phase, mute, display, and bypass
Remote Controls: main input, tape input select, volume, balance, phase, mute, display, bypass and standby
Frequency Response: ± 0.25 dB, 20 Hz – 20 kHz
Signal To Noise: measured at 70 dB minimum, A-weighted (ref 1 mv input, 75 dB gain setting)
Line Input Impedance: 40 kOhms SE, 80 kOhms balanced
Maximum Line Input: 3.5 volts SE, 7.0 volts RMS balanced
Output Impedance: 1 kOhms SE, 600 ohms balanced
Recommended Amplifier Load: 10 kOhms or greater (SE), 20 kOhms or greater (Balanced)
Tubes, Each Channel: (line section) V1 (12AX7 or equivalent), V2 (6922/6DJ8)
Power Consumption: 20 watts standby, 60 watts active
Physical Dimensions: 17⅞” (W) x 18″ (D) x 4⅜” (H)
Shipping Weight: 18.2 kg