funny how these threads go...the Calypso's build quality does not take a back seat to any preamp on the market. The term "sounds good with the right tubes" really means you can dial it in to your system and your taste. When NOS tubes disappear "in the next who knows..50 years"...they will be replaced with better tubes if there is a demand.
I found the stock tubes to be very good...but lets face it, most of us like to screw with every detail in our system. The Calypso gives you the freedom to do so, it is a very good preamp and easy to maintain...almost as easy as solid state. I have owned all the Pass Labs preamps until the current XP generation. I loved the X-0.2 but the Calypso gives more of a real flavor to the music in my system.
