The Calypso joins our statement mono block amps providing our first Stereo 2ch amplifier.

The story of the Calypso comes following the success of our Nautilus amplifiers. Where the Nautilus is Class A, cathode biased and zero feedback delivering a sweet sounding 5-8watts. The Calypso remains Class A, but is wired in Tetrode with a hint of feedback. This subtle difference provides for wide bandwidth, greater headroom, and increased dynamics. Where the Nautilus balanced personal audio with 2ch, the Calypso is solely focused on speakers.

Inside the Calypso is out 4^th generation power supply, yielding out quietest amps yet. The Calypso is build like all our Statement level amps on 10gage steal plate chassis, that is heavily braced and depended. By using such a large and strong structure as our starting point, we were able to spec the biggest and heaviest transformers possible.

The Calypso is a true dual mono amp, with 2 separate amplifiers residing inside a single steel chassis. This means 2 oversized power transformers, 2 huge primary chokes, 2 secondary chokes, 2 mammoth output transformers and even 2 large input transformers.

Our transformers are completely custom to ampsandsound and over spec’d in every possible way. This provides wide bandwidth and low distortion. Transformers are one of the most special aspects of the amps, second to their wiring.

Custon-made transformers are used as input transformers for XLR to RCA conversion.

The input of Calypso unitizes input transformers for reduced noise floor, greater clarity, and sub-bass response.

For this statement amplifier, we paired the finest coupling caps, Jupiter copper foil in wax caps. The increase in micro-detail retrieval is remarkable.

In total, the Calypso is 70lbs before packing.

The Calypso is a classic and decidedly prosaic design, as it employs turrets and point-to-point wiring & there is no silicone, ICs, or regulators. We consider this a standard-bearer of purest audio with an American sensibility. The Calypso is built in a way few modern amplifiers are. This is not due to intrinsic inferiority, but rather it is impossible to rush and is incredibly expensive to produce. Some of the most familiar tube amps ever produced utilize this method, including; McIntosh, HK, Leek, Quad, & Western Electric. These amplifiers demand to be played and built to last a lifetime.

The Calypso allows for a wide range of tubes, including 6l6gc through KT90s. KT150s. The tube complement form factor is spec’d as a matched pair of 6L6GC STR or KT88, a single 12AX7, and two 5AR4 or 5U4 rectifiers.

The Calypso utilizes a single-ended Class A operation with modest feedback to provide the essence of sound, strictly old-school. Tonality of a SET amp with the resolution of a modern push pull amplifier.

Specifications

Bench report with 12AX7 inputs with 5ARA4 rectifiers and KT88's

Input sensitive: with 12AX7 input @ 990mV

Noise: @ 8ohm 720mV RMS

Max Power @ 8ohm is 10watts RMS with KT88s and 5AR4s

Bandwidth : 10hz to 50khz @ -1db @ 1watt

Power and Noise specs are dependent on tube selection.

Actual size is  14”deep, 18” wide and 8”tall. (70lbs)

Amp weighs in at 70lbs/100lbs shipped in a large Pelican style case.

Black base/Black cover. 

Additional colors are possible as a special order... please call or email for details.

All ampsandsound amps are handmade in Southern California with custom hand-wound output transformers and U.S. sourced parts.

Our amps are hand-made by a small team with quality being our first priority.

Additional colors are possible as a special order... please call or email for details.