I found an Aesthetix Calypso for under $600. What's a reasonable price for this line stage?

[Ron P. Stewart]

I am in the market for a new line stage and I found an Aesthetix Calypso for sale, currently under $600 on eBay. The auction ends on Sunday the 12th.

I'm curious what is considered to be a good price for this preamp? I'm hoping to get it for under $2,000 - is that realistic?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/172558738916?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1558.l2649

 

[class a]

I looked around and the lowest price I could find was $2750 from Upscale Audio. Usually these bids get serious a few hours before closing. Stay on line to the end you may get lucky.

 

[Ron P. Stewart]

I looked around and the lowest price I could find was $2750 from Upscale Audio. Usually these bids get serious a few hours before closing. Stay on line to the end you may get lucky.

Gotcha. Ok, I will follow to the end. Maybe I will get lucky!

Thanks much.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Why not simply get brand new with 5 year transferable warranty https://emotiva.com/products/pres-and-pros/xsp-1 ??

 

[class a]

Why not simply get brand new with 5 year transferable warranty https://emotiva.com/products/pres-and-pros/xsp-1 ??

It seems he's interested in a tube preamp so the solid state Emo may not fit the bill. However the Rogue RP-1 brand new, is around $1695, for a tube line stage preamp. It's worth a look.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

It seems he's interested in a tube preamp so the solid state Emo may not fit the bill. However the Rogue RP-1 brand new, is around $1695, for a tube line stage preamp. It's worth a look.

Yeah, I got the gist of OPs interest in tube stuff, but question remains is to why?

Here's a tip bit which OP might not be aware of: Aging tubes change their performance and as result overall sound. In some cases tubes needs to be replaced after 2500 hours which makes 2nd hand purchases of tube stuff a bit less prudent imo.
sources:
http://aeaaudio.com/why-does-changing-tubes-change-the-sound/
https://www.upscaleaudio.com/pages/tube-basics-and-frequently-asked-questions

"Shockingly" none of this applies to solid state equipment

 

[class a]

Yeah, I got the gist of OPs interest in tube stuff, but question remains is to why?

Here's a tip bit which OP might not be aware of: Aging tubes change their performance and as result overall sound. In some cases tubes needs to be replaced after 2500 hours which makes 2nd hand purchases of tube stuff a bit less prudent imo.
sources:
http://aeaaudio.com/why-does-changing-tubes-change-the-sound/
https://www.upscaleaudio.com/pages/tube-basics-and-frequently-asked-questions

"Shockingly" none of this applies to solid state equipment

I own a Conrad Johnson ET3 SE. I enjoy the sound it produces. Changing tubes is no big deal. Pop the top change the tube. 5 minutes. Unless your into NOS tubes (which many can be a scam) cost is minimal. It's all about personal choices. In today's AV market there's more to choose from. Solid state, tube, hybrid, streaming, TT it's all good.

 

[Ron P. Stewart]

I own a Conrad Johnson ET3 SE. I enjoy the sound it produces. Changing tubes is no big deal. Pop the top change the tube. 5 minutes. Unless your into NOS tubes (which many can be a scam) cost is minimal. It's all about personal choices. In today's AV market there's more to choose from. Solid state, tube, hybrid, streaming, TT it's all good.

I've heard lots of tube gear and SS gear. I guess it's just personal preference, but I have always preferred tubes. It's just a more natural and open sound to me.

One notable exception would be the time I heard the Boulder 2008 phono preamp. I was lucky enough to hear it at a high end audio shop in New England. First I heard a "normal" phono preamp (if ~$4k for a phono preamp could be considered normal). Then I heard the same record with the Boulder.

That thing beggars belief. One the one hand, I'm glad that I heard it because it's the single best hifi experience I ever had. On the other hand, I'm not so glad I heard it because I know the 2008 is well beyond a price point I will ever be able to afford.

Other than that, I like tubes.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

It's down to personal preferences and for most part preconceived notions. IMHO 9/10 times what you hear is speakers, not electronics like pre-amp, so my personal single best hifi experience was enjoying the sound of Jim Salk's SoundScape 8 speakers at AH gtg2012 demo. They are far beyond my current budget reach, but maybe one day I could get something close to them.

YMMV.

 

[Ron P. Stewart]

It's down to personal preferences and for most part preconceived notions. IMHO 9/10 times what you hear is speakers, not electronics like pre-amp, so my personal single best hifi experience was enjoying the sound of Jim Salk's SoundScape 8 speakers at AH gtg2012 demo. They are far beyond my current budget reach, but maybe one day I could get something close to them.

YMMV.

First I've heard of those speakers. I'll look them up!

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

First I've heard of those speakers. I'll look them up!

here you go:
http://www.salksound.com/model.php?model=SoundScape+8
but realistically I just may get these later on
http://philharmonicaudio.com/slims.html

hint: Both designed (partially or later in full) by same gentlemen - Dennis Murphy.

 

[Ron P. Stewart]

here you go:
http://www.salksound.com/model.php?model=SoundScape+8
but realistically I just may get these later on
http://philharmonicaudio.com/slims.html

hint: Both designed (partially or later in full) by same gentlemen - Dennis Murphy.

Wow, those look great! Frequency response looks nearly flat as a board. I don't have much experience with ribbon tweeters. I'd like to hear those!

What is the retail cost on those badboys?

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

SS8 starting at 8.5k I think, Phil Slims are 2.2k, both prices listed on their pages

 

[Ron P. Stewart]

SS8 starting at 8.5k I think, Phil Slims are 2.2k, both prices listed on their pages

Seems reasonable!

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Seems reasonable!

Ha. Tell this to hundreds of people who visit AH forums in search for full 5.1 for $500

 

[lovinthehd]

@Ron P. Stewart did you win the auction at $1890?