ARC SP20 vs. Aesthetix Janus (standard and/or signature versions) ?

MikeCh

MikeCh

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It's my understanding that both of these units not only pack a super linestage each but the included phono sections within both are also something extra-special. Anybody got experience with both? Advantages or disadvantages you care to share?

For the ARC, it's been recently described as being somewhere between the quality of the LS17 SE and LS27 line stages + sound quality of the PH8 phono stage. And for the Aesthetix, it packs the electronics of the Calypso linestage and Rhea Phono (sans the extra Rhea phono inputs) into a single chassis.

Maybe if direct comparison's can't be made of the SP20 vs. Janus alone, how about the combo of ARC LS27 + PH8 vs Aesthetix Calyso + Rhea?

It would take some serious "doing" on my part to get into either one but a guy can dream, no? LOL
 
Mike - dreams are good! That's what keeps me motivated at work.

The knock on the Aesthetix has always been tube rush and Microphonics. I've had this conversation many times with Jeff. I'm not sure if they are fixed or not.

Now, the SP20 is a super little preamp. Very modern looking and sounding. I was quite impressed with it.

If I can throw a few more into the mix, I would look at VAC (any model) and the Classe CP800 (SS).

A great preamp is the backbone of any great system IMO. Choose wisely and....


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The tube noise issue goes back from units built several years back and old news, things are different today......I've owned their gear for the past 4 years and the only problem I encountered was with my Rhea phono and re-tubing eliminated the problem (blame the tubes) I own the Atlas mono's, Callisto Eclipse pre with dual power supplies, Rhea Sig phono, Calypso pre Sig and Romulus cd player, that's 42 tubes and no issues what so ever.
 
anything ive heard with the aesthetix name on it was really good and performed above its price. i wouldnt hesitate to buy any of their stuff if given the chance.
arc, some stuff i like and some stuff i dont like. but dont tell nelson i said that. :roflmao:
 
Petro85 said:
anything ive heard with the aesthetix name on it was really good and performed above its price. i wouldnt hesitate to buy any of their stuff if given the chance.
arc, some stuff i like and some stuff i dont like. but dont tell nelson i said that. :roflmao:
Click to expand...

:)
 
I used both the calypso sig and rhea sig happily for about 2 years. Hard to beat for the money and reliability was never an issue. I did upgrade to Audio Research reference models eventually but it wouldn't be fair to compare them because of the price point.
 
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