Aesthetix Callisto owners help please

I own a Callisto Signature (single PS)and love it. One thing that I find really amazing is it's dead quiet with my 103db sensitive Avantgarde Duo's..... and these speakers will reveal EVERYTHING upstream from them. I have done some tube rolling and there are major sonic advances to be had..... but, it sounds really good with the stock tubes in place as well.

I have really only compared it head to head with my old ARC LS25II...... which it betters by a very wide margin in every conceivable way. I hope to be getting together soon with a couple of friends so we can compare it with their New Audio Frontiers Absolute, and ARC Ref3.

I have only owned it for about ten months, but it has been completely trouble free. There are no "creature comforts".... mute buttons, phase, HT pass-through, lights, whistles, espresso steamers (although it would probably keep your coffee hot), etc....... and, a remote for volume is about 2.5k. It's also big, heavy and takes up some major room......... but, Oh the sound!!!

I have also heard that the Signature model is worth the extra $$$, so if you can afford it.......

Maybe Jafox or Albert Porter will chime in for you as they have a lot of experience with this preamp.

Hope this helps

Chris

I own the Aesthetix Io with volume controls and not the Callisto. My experience with the Io is that the stock tubes give superb results, as our local audio group would attest, and I expect the same will be true of the Callisto. You would have an opportunity to improve by rolling tubes, but you will have an incredible sonic treat just keeping the stock tubes in place.
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Thanks guys, that helps. Can't find specs on the Callisto, could you share any of the biggies from your owners manual? Impedances, gain, etc.

Thanks

Art

There was lots of info about the Callisto written. I use a Callisto Signature and I share the opinion of Cmo.
I also use NOS Tubes and it is an improvement but even with Stock tubes it is really good. A real amazing good unit.

The Callisto's output impedance is 300 ohms unbalanced, 600 ohms balanced. Email Jim White and I'm sure he'll give you the full spec rundown.

can anyone send me Jim White's email address? thx