Ayre K-3X or Aesthetix Calypso? with a

Haven't heard the Ayre or the new Calypso. Either Modwright linestage, however, is better than the original Calypso: more extended and neutral with better control, transparency and soundstaging. My prejudice is for a tube linestage with a SS amp.

I'm a biased fan of the Calypso. With the right NOS tubes, this preamp stands out.

I have a FPB300c through which I have had an extended opportunity to compare an Ayre K5xe and a Calypso with standard tubes. I preferred and ended up buying a Calypso. The K5x sounded like a more refined (less harsh/more tube like) version of the Krell KRC-HR I had before but the Calypso was more musical, much warmer, and just drew you more into the music. Initially, I thought the soundstage of the Calypso was less wide than the KRC but this changed with better tubes.
Hope this helps.