Need help in deciding

Zd542,

Thank you for the information on the Aesthetix Calypso. I will do my homework and compare it to the Cary unit. Which CJ unit would you recommend? Have never used CJ equipment and have thought about trying their amps.

The Nuforce amps are fine for HT but I find them a little too analytical for two channel. But will purchase the pre first and see if it helps.

Glenn

Vicdamone,

Agree on waiting until I purchase the preamp. What tube amp did you eventually change to? I have never owned a tube amp but would not rule it out especially with Sonus Fabers. The Clayton amp is by far the best I have owned and is my first choice at this point. There is something so right about this amp compared to all others that I have tried. And boy that has been alot!! Open to suggestions to pre and amp combos that have worked together like the AI and Clayton amp.

Glenn

Glenn, great amps! I owned a pair of the Clayton M-100's, and I thought they were about the best SS amps I've ever heard. Wilson Shen and Stan Klyne are two SS designers that seem to have figured out how to do it right. :)

As for Zd542's reco's, yes, any CJ tube preamp will fall into the musical sound that you are looking for too. I am just not aware of a CJ model that has a HT bypass. If there is one, it should also be on your list.
The Aesthetix Calypso is more on the transparent side of the fence, with preamps like ARC and VAC. These are all good preamps in the right system, but since you responded that you were looking more for musicality than transparency, that's why I did not mention the Calypso. Also, you may not be able to get one for under $2K.