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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
jmcgrogan2's avatar
jmcgrogan2
6,346 posts
 
Well if you love the speakers that much, then obviously, stick with them. I would probably look to try ZD542's advice, and look for a more modern tube amp. CJ Premier 12's do have that classic tube sound, sweet, syrupy, but can be a bit sluggish. My VAC tube amp is as tight in the bass as any SS I've owned. More modern tube gear has better control and definition down there than the older designs.

I'm sure the M300's would sound great though, but I would think that 300 wpc would be overkill for those speakers, but hey, if you got the dough, why not? I would go that route and stick with a tube preamp before giving up tubes altogether and going with an Ayre integrated amp.
As always, YMMV.
fsmithjack's avatar
Ag insider logo xs@2x
fsmithjack OP
712 posts
 
Thanks I do like them a lot but I have only heard so many different kinds so who knows there def could be better I totally see what your saying for sure. That though is still in my mind. I love tubes there is no doubt. There is a set of CJ LP140m on here that's a much newer pair of CJ mono's but I was thinking there would not be too much difference but maybe I am wrong on that and the new CJ could be a good option. That's what I thought about the Ayre Integrated but he swears its the best sounding amp under $20k bar none. He is so dead set serious on it. I would be trading my some gear and not a lot of money as I already own the gear. I might need to think more about those newer CJ's...
rcprince
3,074 posts
 
If you're seriously thinking of giving up the CJs, I would suggest you give Behold amplifiers a listen. I heard their 40 watt integrated driving Ascendo's big speakers a few years ago and felt it was a combination that I could live with forever if I had the money and the room, and this is from a tube guy. An excellent synergy between the two brands.
knghifi
1,668 posts
 
04-04-15: Tfl303
I own the Clayton
M300 they are the real deal
I've owned many tube amps
Clayton gives you slam speed pace and musicality
Built like a tank don't under estimate Clayton
Audio. Match with a good preamp ie audio research 5SE
YOU WILL BE IN HEAVEN
I've heard Clayton amps have a transformer humming problem. Is there any truth to the problem?
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.
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