2. amps-preamps
  3. 1428160381

Clayton Audio Class A amps. Need amp advice

Hi Guys,

I am looking to change my amps and for a few reasons.

First because I just upgraded my DAC from the great PS Audio DirectStream to the incredible Bricasti M1 DSD USB DAC. I love the Bricasti and it has shown that in my system it could offer me more with a more resolving and neutral amp IMO.

I am currently am using the wonderful sounding CJ Premier 12 mono tube amps. I love them and tubes in general but my speakers are the great Ascendo C8 Renaissance and look to present a somewhat benign load being 88 efficient and 6ohm but they are unique and have an internal firing 21 cm Kevlar Bass driver that is great but stubborn and the speakers I think will really shine with a iron fist control of that driver.

I love tubes, always have and always will but I grown tires of a flabby bottom which is exasperated by a unique and somewhat difficult to grip bass driver set up I spoke about above.

I want an amp that can give me as much tube sound as possible but with Grip and bottom end. I know this is a lot to ask for in the used $5k to $7k price range.

I have read and it seem like the Clayton offer exactly what I am looking for but wanted to hear from some of you guys if anyone has ever heard them or know of them or anything. Any info would really be appreciated. Here is the info on my speakers and I will also list the rest of my system in case you think that is helpful. Thanks

C8 Renaissance
Technical Data
Principle
• Three-Way with SASB bass unit (TOS Off)
(current damped outer driver with semi symmetrical band pass)
• Four-Way with SASB bass unit (TOS On)
Dimensions (W/H/D)
• 28 / 80 / 40 (without Base)
• 28 / 108 / 40 (with Base)
Weight
35 kg
Frequency Range
29 Hz (-3 dB) – 32.000 Hz
Power Rating
350 W Program (min)
Impedance
6 Ohm
Sensivity
88 dB / 1W/m
Outer Chassis (COAX)
• 25 mm Neodymium-fabric-tweeter
• 18 cm Woofer with XP cone
Inner Chassis
• 21 cm Chassis, Kevlar cone
TOS Chassis
• Ribbon-tweeter
TOS Function
• switchable (TOS Unit - Dipole AN / AUS)
Sockets
• Single / BiWiring Base
Dimensions (W/H/D)
28 / 18 / 40 cm
Weight
11 kg

Ascendo C-8 Renaissance Speakers (Germany) Speaker
Purist Audio Design Corvus Praesto Revision 2.5m Bi-Wire Speaker cable
Darwin TRUTH Pure Silver Reference 1 Meter RCA Interconnect
Darwin TRUTH Pure Silver Reference 1 Meter RCA Interconnect
Bricasti M1 USB / DSD / Volume Control DAC (New) DA converter
Tellurium Q BLACK DIAMOND Reference USB Cable
Decware ZSTAGE External Triode Output StageTelefunken ECC801S
Audio Research REFERENCE 1 MK II w/Rhodium IEC/NOS Tubes Tube preamp
PS Audio PowerPlant Premier AC Regenerator
Conrad Johnson Premier 12 Mono's 140 Watts Tung-Sol KT120's Tube amp
Salamander Amplifier Stands (2) Synergy System AV Furniture Stand
BMI Shark Jeweler Grade Platinum 9 AWG AC Power Cable
Mad Scientist PC-NEO with Power Purifier 11 AWG Power Cable
Sablon Audio Petite Corona 2.0M 7 AWG AC Power Cable
JPS Labs The Power AC+ 2M 8 AWG AC Power Cable
Synergistic Research Labs Tesla Series SE T1 AC Power Cable
Synergistic Research Labs Tesla Series T1 AC Power Cable
PS Audio Noise Harvester (5) Converts noise to light
OYAIDE RI Beryllium Power Outlets (2)
Blue Circle Audio The Yalu Balula Industrial Surge/Spike Protection
JPLAY v5.2 hi-end audio player turns PC into a digital transport.
Fidelizer Pro Version 6.1
JRiver Media Center 19 Music Software
128x128Ag insider logo xs@2xfsmithjack

Showing 6 responses by lloydelee21

lloydelee21
1,202 posts
 
Hey Fsmithjack,

Good luck! If you speak with CJ and specifically discuss your speakers with them, hopefully they can help. Sometimes if you like a particular sound, it can be at least worth investigating if there is something that can be done in the areas where you seek improvement. Good luck.
lloydelee21
1,202 posts
 
FSmithjack,

I have read many good things about Claytons...i used to drive a CJMV60 for years and have had a CJ preamp in my system for 15 years running...currently the CJ GAT. I am a BIG CJ fan.

Two thoughts:

1. Speak with CJ...try having them adjust your CJ Premier 12 which is an alltime classic amp...so you can try more powerful tubes in them. They can also use the Teflon capacitors which have become such a focal point of new CJ designs which after all these years are wonderful imho.

2. If you cannot find Claytons, you may wish to try Gryphon Antileon which does run in your price range 2nd hand...but they may be equally difficult to find in the US. Pure Class A behemoths...i personally owned one after my CJ MV60 and never looked back. I now own a Gryphon Colosseum which i also got 2nd hand.

Good luck finding Claytons...hope you like them. In the meantime, you may wish to look into these other options as a back up.
lloydelee21
1,202 posts
 
Fsmithjack,

Agree with Denon1 on Eric Love...i have bought from him twice in the past...very responsive, very straightforward. Good man.

Good luck. I am told that the LP140 do sound different from your 12s...and represent a sea change that CJ went thru around the time of the 350SA SS amp and ACT 2 preamp. After this generation, came the LP125 and the most recent ART amps which represented more of a return to the original qualities, but this time with a transparency, alacrity and bottom end grip that seemed to be derived from that 'interim' stage. This is from a long-time dealer of CJ with whom i have done business for nearly 20 years and who has always in my experience told me like it is. FWIW.

Good luck!
lloydelee21
1,202 posts
 
Fsmithjack,

Sounds like you've been busy! Glad to see Eric was helpful. Regarding your choices, I got a PM from someone on this thread who was concerned the CJs may not have enough current or something to drive your specific speakers. Hence, why your speaking with CJ is critical. Regarding the other 2 options, both appear to have strong support here, but not having heard either...i cannot say.

In truth, if bass control is your goal (while not sacrificing the elements of your CJ you love), that is a level of sound quality that bears serious consideration before you buy. More bass control but with different mid-range tonal qualities is different...that can probably be 'guestimated' but your goals are [of course!] to have both. Have you spoken with your speaker manufacturer by any chance about these 3 options?
lloydelee21
1,202 posts
 
Congrats and glad to hear! Good luck with the demo. Sounds promising!
lloydelee21
1,202 posts
 
From my recollection of that vintage KSA, they were Class A amps? Yes, a bit dark in some respects like my former Gryphon Antileon (also pure Class A, 100 watts), which is probably similar vintage. But where i found the older Krells relative to other amps i have since heard is that i felt there seemed to be [a bit] of grain.

But yes, I agree, the KSA 50, KSA200 were not from what i recall tinny, bright, cold amps at all. Things did change as time went on, but not that particular generation.
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