2. amps-preamps
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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
denon1
329 posts
 
Fsmithjack, before you go with Claytons, you should check Plinius amps. Audio Surroundings sells your brand of speakers and Eric (owner of the shop) says with plinius they sound terrific.
I usually take many dealers opinion with some skepticism, but I know Eric for many years and trust him with his recommendation. Plinius amplifiers known for their bass quality and 3d sound that tubes lovers can live with.
Btw, I have Plinius Hiato integrated and compared it with Ayre AX-5, and Plinius (in my home and to me) sounded more natural with bigger 3d stage and better bass.
fsmithjack's avatar
Ag insider logo xs@2x
fsmithjack OP
712 posts
 
Denon1

Thanks so much I have heard those are another great CLASS Amp that has the great tube sound but with the grip I need. Awesome to know they sound good with my speakers. My speakers are pretty rare and this is great info. Thank you I am going to check right on that lead. Thanks again

Bill_k
That makes sense...lol. Just don't have the time and they are far away and not sure in another system I would get the info I want/need but I am in full agreement that hearing first is certainly the way to go with no doubt if possible within reason just not in my odd case. Thanks guys and love all the great info and idea's. Keep em coming if you can please. Thanks
rhljazz
1,249 posts
 
Two suggestions, for tubes there are a pair of BAT VK55 mono's listed for 4600.00. I have a VK55 stereo with my more efficient speakers and have plenty of power at 55W. The BAT amp has excellent bass and dynamics.

Another Class A solid state manufacturer is Coda. Their products appear to be beautifully constructed and have real world prices. I have no experience with the product but it is one I would consider if I was looking for solid state.
denon1
329 posts
 
Fsmithjack
You are welcome, you can call Eric Love from audio surroundings, he is terrific to deal with.
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!
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