Aesthetix Audio Calypso Owners Manual

							
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Calypso 
LINE STAGE 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Aesthetix Audio Corporation 
5220 Gabbert Rd., Suite A ♦ Moorpark, CA. 93021 
Phone: (805) 529-9901   
						

							
INTRODUCTION 
 
 
     Thank you for purchasing the Calypso Line Stage.  The Calypso is a \
groundbreaking 
audio component which combines sonic quality, innovative features and build quality 
with lineage directly traceable to the reference Callisto stage.  Calyps\
o contains solid 
state circuitry but all of its amplification is achieved using vacuum tubes.  The output 
stage is a vacuum tube based differential driver.  There is no global feedback used in th\
e 
Calypso. 
 
Calypso’s advanced microprocessor-based control circuitry is completely inactive when 
not in use i.e. when not receiving a command from the user, resulting in no ill effects on 
sound quality.  The unit contains innovative features, such as a switche\
d resistor volume 
control, theater bypass mode, phase inversion and others. 
 
The massive power supply consists of a high voltage transformer, heater transformer, and 
high voltage choke.  All of the magnetic components are shielded by a stainless steel 
transformer cover, which also performs double duty as a structural truss.  The high 
voltage power supply is regulated with a discrete transistor-based regul\
ator.  The low 
voltage solid state power supplies are discretely regulated. 
 
Only the highest quality components are used in the Calypso, including Roederstein 
resistors, RelCap film capacitors, Mercury Magnetics transformers and Nichicon audio 
grade electrolytic capacitors. 
 
We hope you enjoy many years of music using the Calypso line stage. 
 
 
PLACEMENT 
 
 
Calypso should be located away from possible sources of hum such as power cords, 
power transformers and the like. 
 
Ventilation is critical for reliability.  It should not be located on to\
p of any heat source 
such as a power amplifier.  If it is positioned within an enclosed space then fans may be 
warranted.  All air vents must remain unobstructed.  A minimum of 3 inches of space 
above the unit is required.
 
 
 
2 
						

							
 
CONNECTIONS 
 
Important:  Ensure the rear panel power switch is in the off position whenever cha\
nging 
connections.  Also ensure that the power amplifier is off. 
 
1)  Connect one or more source components to the Calypsos inputs.  Both balanced and single-ended connections are provided for each  input.  A tape deck may be connected 
to the tape input / output connectors.  The tape output is unbuffered. 
2)  Using either the single-ended (RCA) or balanced (XLR) outputs, connect the Calypso  to your power amplifier.  Use of balanced connections will yield 6dB more gain. 
3)  Connect the supplied IEC power cord to the back of the Calypso and to an\
 unswitched, grounded AC outlet.  Line conditioners may be used with the unit if 
desired.  Ensure the maximum power of the conditioner is not being exceeded. 
 
Note:  The input circuitry of the Calypso accepts a maximum input voltage of 3.5v rms 
single-ended or 7v rms balanced.  This is well above the industry standard 2v rms single-
ended or 4v rms balanced.  However, there are a few source components that exceed this 
limit.  If the offending source component has a volume or gain control, all that is 
necessary is to reduce the gain or volume of the source component.  In other cases, it will 
be necessary to have the source component modified to be within industry standard 
specifications.  A clear indication that this limit is being exceeded is a raspy distortion or 
compression of musical peaks. 
 
OPERATION 
 
STANDBY 
 
AC power is applied to the unit by pressing on the left side of the powe\
r switch, when 
viewed from the front of the unit.  When Calypso has power applied for the first time, it 
will first display the installed software version on the LED display for\
 two seconds, then 
automatically enter the standby mode.  While in standby, power is applied to all circuits 
except the vacuum tube heaters.  The high voltage supply is reduced to a level that is sa\
fe 
for the vacuum tubes.  All solid state circuitry in the Calypso remains powered.  Anytime 
Calypso is in standby, the standby light will be illuminated.   
 
Pressing the standby button will take Calypso out of standby.  The standby light will 
blink for 30 seconds, during which time the heater supplies will be energized and the 
high voltage supply will rise to operational levels.  After the warm-up period, the standby 
light will extinguish and the input will be displayed, and the mute light will be 
illuminated indicating the Calypso is muted. 
 
Place Calypso in standby when not in use. 
 
 
3 
						

							
INPUT SELECTION 
 
Press any of the five input selection buttons to select the desired input.  Tape input 
selection will monitor the output from a cassette deck. 
 
VOLUME 
 
Volume is controlled by pressing the left side of the display glass for down,\
 the right side 
for up.  Each step is 1dB. 
 
BALANCE 
 
Balance is adjusted only by the remote control, by the left and right arrow buttons.  It is 
not adjustable from the front panel.  When the unit is adjusted to be out of balance, two 
volume numbers will display.  The left indicates the left channel volume number, the 
right indicates the right channel volume number.  When both channels are set to the same 
number, the display will change to only show one number.  The balance will shift up to 9 
steps in either direction and the 10
th step will be off, indicated by 00. 
 
MUTE 
 
Pressing the mute button will alternately mute or unmute the unit.  When the mute light is 
illuminated, the Calypso is muted.  When muted, the volume is internally set to zero and 
the output is shorted to ground. 
 
BYPASS 
 
Bypass is used to set the unit to unity gain (meaning it does not provide any gain or loss).  
This is used when a home theater processor is connected to the Calypso, and system 
control is delegated entirely to the processor.  Extreme caution is necessary, as setting the 
Calypso to unity gain will, in most system, allow the full input level to reach the power 
amplifier.  This can damage speakers. 
 
One or more inputs may be configured for bypass.  Once configured for bypass, that 
input will automatically go into bypass mode every time it is selected.  Once in bypass 
mode, there is no volume display or function and mute is non-functional. 
 
Follow these steps to configure an input for bypass: 
 
1)  Select desired input. 
2)  On the front panel only (not remote control), depress the bypass button and hold it in  the depressed position.  The bypass LED will light. 
3)  While holding the bypass button, press the input button again.  Both the b\
ypass and selected input LEDs will blink rapidly, indicating the unit recognized t\
he desired 
bypass configuration.   
 
 
 
4 
						

							
The unit will enter bypass mode as indicated by the bypass LED and lack of volume 
display.  Selecting another input that has not been configured for bypas\
s will exit the 
bypass mode.  Selecting an input that is configured for bypass will cause the by\
pass LED 
to blink for a short time before going to the desired input, indicating that the unit is about 
to enter the bypass mode.  This is to allow the user time to reduce the level of the 
surround processor or select another input if there is any doubt about t\
he safety of 
entering bypass mode.  Pressing any button on the Calypso while the bypass LED is 
blinking will cause the unit to revert back to the last selected input. \
 
To remove the bypass configuration for a selected input, follow the same procedure as 
above. 
 
The tape input may also be configured for bypass.  The procedure is the same as above, 
except holding the tape input button instead of the currently selected i\
nput.  Tape must be 
pre-selected.  A special feature of using the tape input as the bypass input is that high 
quality analog sources can be kept in their purest form for two channel listening through 
the Calypso, or routed through the surround processor when desired, by s\
electing tape.  
The tape output of the Calypso, in that case, should be routed to an inp\
ut of the surround 
processor. 
 
Bypass configurations are stored in memory and are retained even if power is removed.  
For this reason, it is recommended to remove all bypass configurations if the unit is ever 
transferred from one system to another, to prevent possible system damage. 
 
PHASE 
 
The phase button is used to change the absolute phase of the output.  When the phase 
LED is illuminated, the output is 180 degrees out of phase relative to the input.  When 
the LED is off, the output is 0 degrees.  The correct setting is that wh\
ich yields the best 
focus of image and tightest bass.  It will vary from recording to recording, as absolute 
phase is rarely maintained throughout the recording and mastering process. 
 
DISPLAY 
 
In normal operation, the level setting is displayed and various indicator light\
s will be 
illuminated. When the display button is pressed, all lights will extinguish.  Pressing \
any 
button will turn on the display and indicator lights for 5 seconds, and \
then extinguish.  
The only exception is standby, which will always have the standby light \
illuminated. 
 
Pressing the display button while the display is off, or during the 5 se\
cond timeout 
period, will turn on the display and normal operation will return. 
 
Note:  The LED for the display button is intentionally inactive. 
 
 
 
5 
						

							
Advanced display functionality 
 
This unit contains the ability to sense the ambient light level in the room and adjust the 
display and LEDs accordingly.  While the factory settings will work for most situations, 
there may be times when adjustment to the settings is useful.  There are three main 
sections to the advanced display functionality: 
 
Adjustment of display brightness 
Adjustment of LED brightness 
Restoration of the factory default settings 
 
 
Adjustment of display brightness: 
 
To access this section, first press and hold the “display” button,\
 then concurrently press 
“1” button.  This can only be done from the front panel.  It is recommended that once this 
section is entered, that all adjustments be made with the remote at some distance from the 
unit, so as not to obstruct light from reaching the sensor.  LED #2 will light, and the 
display will show two numbers in the range 00-15, one on the left display and one on the 
right display.  The left number indicates the light level that the sensor is reporting, 0 is 
darkest and 15 is brightest.  The rightmost number indicates the display brightness setting 
for that light level, 0 is darkest and 15 is brightest.  LED#2 will be lit\
, which indicates 
that pressing the “up” or “down” buttons will adjust the dis\
play brightness for the current 
light level.  Pressing button #1 will turn on LED#1, which indicates tha\
t pressing the 
“up” or “down” buttons will change to a different light leve\
l setting, for which the 
display brightness could then be changed by pressing button #2.  Changes\
 to the display 
brightness will only be visible for the current light level. 
 
To exit this section, press the “display” button. 
 
Adjustment of LED brightness: 
 
This section works identically to the above “Adjustment of display brightness” except 
that adjustment is made to the LED brightness instead of the display. 
 
To access this section, first press and hold the “display” button,\
 then concurrently press 
“2” button. This can only be done from the front panel.  It is recommended that once this 
section is entered, that all adjustments be made with the remote at some distance from the 
unit, so as not to obstruct light from reaching the sensor.  LED #2 will light, and the 
display will show two numbers in the range 00-15, one on the left display and one on the 
right display.  The left number indicates the light level that the sensor is reporting, 0 is 
darkest and 15 is brightest.  The rightmost number indicates the LED brightness setting 
for that light level, 0 is darkest and 15 is brightest.  LED#2 will be lit\
, which indicates 
that pressing the “up” or “down” buttons will adjust the LED\
 brightness for the current 
light level.  Pressing button #1 will turn on LED#1, which indicates tha\
t pressing the 
“up” or “down” buttons will change to a different light leve\
l setting, for which the LED 
 
6 
						

							
brightness could then be changed by pressing button #2.  Changes to the LED brightness 
will only be visible for the current light level. 
 
To exit this section, press the “display” button. 
 
Special note: 
 
Setting all brightness levels to the same value, for all light levels, will result in no change 
of display or LED brightness with changes in ambient light level in the room. 
 
Restoration of the factory default settings: 
 
To restore the factory settings for all display settings, first press an\
d hold the “display” 
button, then concurrently press “3” button. This can only be done \
from the front panel.  
LEDs 1-5 will light, indicating that the unit has restored the factory settings. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Maintenance 
 
Do not, under any condition, remove the top cover while the AC power cord is connected 
to the unit.  As the power supply remains charged even with power removed, wait at least 
20 minutes after removing the AC power cord before attempting any maintenance. 
 
Under normal conditions, internal access is not required.  In the event of a noisy\
 tube or 
other maintenance, the top cover may be removed.  There are no screws, it is securely 
held in place by an advanced polymer interlocking material.  To remove the top cover, 
grasp it at the rear left edge and pull up firmly.  The interlocking material will gradually 
disengage as the top cover is “peeled” up. 
 
To reinstall the top cover, align the front edge with the back of the fa\
ceplate and 
gradually press down, starting at the front and moving toward the back. 
 
 
7 
						

							
 
Specifications 
      
Fuses:  
 
External fuse (in IEC power connector)    2 amp slow blow (117v) 
1 amp slow blow (230v) 
Spare fuse included in IEC power connector. 
 
Tubes: 
 
V1    E83CCS, 12AX7 or 12AX7WB 
V2   6922 (6DJ8) 
 
Power Consumption: 
 
Standby: 20 watts 
Active:   100  watts 
 
Dimensions: 
 
18 Width x 17 5/8 Depth x 4 3/8 Height 
 
Shipping Weight:  
 
39 lbs (17.5Kg) 
 
 
 
 
8 
						

							
  Rev 2.06  4-8-14 
 
 
90 DAY LIMITED WARRANTY TERMS AND CONDITIONS 
(3 Year optional extended service contract) 
 
1.  Aesthetix warrants the product designated herein to be free of manufacturing defects in material 
and workmanship, subject to the conditions herein se t forth, for a period of 90 days from the date of 
purchase by the original purchaser.  If the purchaser registers the unit with Aesthetix by mailing in the 
warranty card, together with a copy of the bill of sale, within 14 days of the date of purchase, said 
purchaser will be registered for an extended service contract. The extended service contract extends the 90 
days to a period of 3 years from the date of purchase by the original purchaser or no later than 4 years from 
the date of shipment to the authorized Aesthetix dealer, whichever comes first.  The warranty period for 
factory tubes does not get extended and therefore remains at 90 days. 
 
2. CONDITIONS 
  This warranty is subject to the following cond itions and limitations.  The warranty is void and 
inapplicable if the product has been  used or handled other than in accord ance with the instructions in the 
owners manual, abused or misused, da maged by accident or neglect or in being transported, or the defect is 
due to the product being repaired or tampered with or modified by anyone other than Aesthetix. The 
product must be packed and returned to Aesthetix by th e customer at his or her sole expense.  A returned 
product must be accompanied by a wr itten description of the defect and a photocopy of the original 
purchase receipt.  This receipt must clearly list model  and serial number, the date of purchase,  the name 
and address of the purchaser and aut horized dealer and the purchase price.  Aesthetix reserves the right to 
modify the design of any product without obligation to purchasers of previously manufactured products 
and to change the prices or specifications of any product without notice or obligation to any person. 
 
3. REMEDY 
  In the event the above product fails to meet the warranty, and the  above conditions have been met, 
the purchasers sole remedy under the limited warranty sh all be to return the product to Aesthetix where the 
defect will be rectified without  charge for parts or labor. 
 
4.  LIMITED TO ORIGINAL PURCHASER 
  This warranty is for the sole benefit of the original purchaser of the covered product and shall not 
be transferred to a subsequent purchaser of the product. 
 
5.  DURATION OF WARRANTY 
  This warranty expires 90 days after the date of original purchase.  If Aesthetix receives the 
warranty registration card, this period is extended to  the third anniversary of the date of purchase or no 
later that the fourth anniversary of the shipment to the authorized Aesthetix dealer, whichever comes first.    
The warranty period for factory tubes does not ge t extended and therefore remains at 90 days. 
 
6.   MISCELLANEOUS 
  ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES RELATING  TO THE ABOVE PRODUCT SHALL BE 
LIMITED TO THE DURATION OF THIS WARRANTY.  THE WARRANTY DOES NOT EXTEND 
TO ANY  INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL  COSTS OR DAMAGES TO THE PURCHASER.  
Some states do not allow limitations on how long an implied warranty lasts or an exclusion or limitation  of 
incidental or consequential damages, so the above lim itations or exclusions may not apply to you.  This 
Warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other rights which vary from state to state. 
 
7.    WARRANTY  OUTSIDE THE USA 
  Aesthetix has formal di stribution in many of the countries of the free world, in each country the 
Aesthetix importer has contractually accepted the re sponsibility for product warranty.  Warranty should 
normally be obtained from the importing dealer or distributor from whom you obtain your product.