For the last couple of months I have been able to compare the Calypso Eclipse to the Metis in the same system. All listening was digital due the unfortunate demise of my record collection in a flood a few years back.
The Calypso, in its Eclipse edition, is a great preamp. I could live with it indefinitely. Even after hearing the Metis. The Metis is definitely better, sometimes startlingly so, but the Calypso sounds great. Neither preamp is “mean” to bad recordings; the Metis just gets you more. As it should for the price…
While the Metis has a trick power supply that decouples it from the preamp chassis, there are other preamps with separate power supplies. The decoupled power supply is a nice trick which I appreciate because I don’t have the rack space for another component. The coupling module seems to be unique and it eliminates the distortions inherent in capacitors. I used to own a CAT and I am pretty sure they make their own capacitors. Aesthetix uses different capacitors in the standard, signature and eclipse versions, which also underscores the sound of capacitors. So elimination of caps from the signal path via the coupling module is intriguing from a technical point of view.
As is typical for anyone after an upgrade, I spent a lot of time going through old favorites. One of the Metis coupling modules failed with infant mortality so I had a good chunk of Calypso time after hearing the Metis. Jim was able to help me isolate the problem and they shipped a new module. For what it’s worth, that is the first electronics failure I have had with my Aesthetix gear and infant mortality is a thing (its why manufacturers burn in new gear prior to shipping). I also have the Romulus Eclipse DAC and the Atlas Eclipse amplifier. My Atlas and Calypso were upgraded from Signature to Eclipse.
Overall, this is what I noticed with the Metis:
- Used a wider range of gain (both softer and louder)
- Periodically startled by things sounding real.
- Instruments and musical lines are more separated, distinct and natural sounding.
- Massed voices sound more realistic.
- New things in old favorite tracks. When I go back to the Calypso I can hear them, but the clarity of the Metis had me noticing them for the first time.
- Some favorites sound much better, either by sounding more realistic or having better attack/tone/decay. My wife called the Metis “warmer” which is her highest compliment.
- Tighter bass. I think the Metis is more accurate, but sometimes the fatter Calypso was initially more satisfying
- Longer listening sessions
And some impressions on recordings….
Fooled me real….
Pie Jesu off John Rutter Requiem. I was shocked when the full choir came in. It sounded slightly less real at this point with the Calypso. Not so with the Metis….
“Maria Wiegenlied” off Cantate Domino
“La Sainte Ligue” off Venezia Millenaria (Jordi Savalli). Wow. Just wow.
More open and distinct ….
Sophie Hunger “Le Vent Nous Portera” – More of a sense of distinct instruments during the loud parts. No strain. Great reference recording IMO since it covers the range from solo vocalist to a fair amount of things going on.
“Angelina” off Marbles – The guitar distortion jumped out like never before.
“Goodbye” off Wrecking Ball – The soundstage was always ginormous but this is better in every way….Probably most important is that I hear more expression in her voice. “Sweet Old World” off the same album is killer as well.
“I Never Will Marry (with Dolly Parton) “ – really natural sounding voices
Warning – I am a bass freak. Some of these tracks I like may sound bad on otherwise wonderful systems. This because the speakers won’t get the low bass notes but the amplifier may strain trying to reproduce them.
Madonna, “The Power of Goodbye” – I always thought this recording was a little muffled and tubby in the bass. I loved listening to it, but it didn’t sound top tier. That changed with the Metis. Her voice sounds real, no electronic artifice at all, everything opens up more and the floor shakes with well-defined bass.
The Hip Abduction, “Float” (live) – Fun song and a pretty powerful bass line. I have never heard them live but I think they would sound like this…..
Billie Eilish “Your Power”
Natalie Merchant “Opheila (Live Version)” – Her voice is so smooth and realistic. The power of the low stuff is just awesome. Biggest noticeable change with the Metis is her voice.
Overall, a pile of money well spent IMO. I would like to thank Mike Lavigne for his postings on what a really good preamp can do. Given the possibility of DAC direct to amplifier for digital only systems, I was wondering about going for an expensive preamp.