The stock version of the Calypso is not very impressive in my experience. You have to hear it with the right NOS tubes to know what it's capable of. Assume you'll need to spend $400 or so on NOS tubes if you go with the Calypso. The same can probably said for most if not all tube gear, that tube selection has the most impact on the sound quality.
Conrad-Johnson ET-2 vs Aesthetix Calypso
I'm currently running my Reference 3A MM deCapo speakers with a PS Audio GCC 100 integrated amp, but it's time to move into separates I think. The GCC 100 can be used as just an amp so my plan is to get a preamp first and then upgrade to a separate amp down the road. I think I've narrowed it down to either the Conrad-Johnson ET-2 or the Aesthetix Calypso and I'm wondering if anyone has compared these two preamps?