I still have the L-2 and am in the process of making a comparison between te L-2 and the Calypso. I can say this with certainty, for the money, the L-2 is a no brainer. $2495 vs $4500. The L-2 is currently running neck and neck. The Calypso may have the slightest of edges on transparency and it seems to deliver music with a hair more musicality. However, the L-2 may be more neutral! We'll see.
For $4500, the Calypso delivers nice looks and premium parts and build with lots of features. The L-2 is about the music and not so much fancy looks and features. The one thing I do like about the Calypso is the balanced outputs.
The Ayre V5x is a nice amp but here again, I think you get more value for the money with the Belles. The Ayre may be a touch more transparent and it is holographic BUT it is lighter in the bottom. Overall, I think the Belles wins out at this point. However, neither the Calypso or the Ayre are broken in. Things could change.
I haven't really had any poorly performing equipment through my system. It all has its strengths and weaknesses. I think it comes down to taste and not a quality issue.
One of these days I'm going to listen to that Reference 150a! I still like the L-2 and I like the Calypso just like I like the Ayre and the 350a. It's going to take some doings to pick a pair to keep. I've run out of money so one pair is going to go and one stay!
