VTL 5.5 or Aesthetix Calypso

My experience is with fully modded SF Line2SE+ and then moving to a JC2 which with those amps was all around better. I am not missing the tubes (amazingly) not sure that this helped but might be something to think about....

I have owned both. You are lucky your JC1's have a sufficiently high input impedance so the Calypso's highish output impedance will not affect the sound. If it were me, purchasing for my system, I would purchase the VTL on sound quality alone. However, there are a few differences. The VTL is better on tubes and sounds smoother with a very clear and nicely extended high end. The Calypso may have a bit tighter bass and is fully balanced in and out, where the VTL is not balanced and only has balanced outputs. The midrange of the VTL approaches the classic tube sound where the Calypso's midrange is dryer. They are both reasonably extended for tubed units. Some to most might like the Calypso's styling better, but hopefully you have seen both. You may want to get the SN of the VTL unit you are interested in and call VTL because there have been updates, and not all the older units can be fully updated to the latest spec, if that is important to you. I have tried a whole bunch of tubed preamps and I could live with the VTL, but not with the Calypso. However, that is just me and my system, and you should probably listen to both if possible. Good luck.

Fully agree with Mitch2.Tried both in my system and arrive to the same conclusions. In brief, I found the VTL more musical and the Calypso more transparent and detailed.

Both should be tested in your system, don't know about your source nor the Parasound's sonic signature. But I would take special attention to the Magnepan's ribbon tweeters matched with a transparent preamp on long listening sessions.

VTL 5.5: The Next Generation is "soon" to be released

Sounds like the VTL should be the way to go. Anyone know if there is a significant difference between the older and newer units?

Hello Pal
I wanted to say that I have a Aesthetix Calypso and I feel it dose a very nice job. Never heard the VTL 5.5 only the MB 450 mono amps. now those amps were sweet.