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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
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fsmithjack OP
712 posts
 
Tfl303

Could you tell me more. Do they have that real 3d tube you are there sound that is so hard for SS to pull of like tubes. I understand the image density and richness and depth of SS just can't match tubes but if it has the real enveloping, realness that tubes do without trying to go with the other strengths i would think the M300 is a total done deal. When I had the BAT VK600SE and Sophia 2 it had all the ss strngth but it just was flat and did not wrap around or feel real and its sterile and it made me give up too much and I don't want that so this is the only thing that is my main worry with a ss amp...
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.
knghifi
1,668 posts
 
Fsmithjack,
In your budget, there are many excellent tube amp options.

1. QuickSilver V4 with KT150. If you order direct from QS, Mike offers a 30 money back home audition.
2. Carver Crimson 350 with KT150. Each pair are custom so you can order bypassing volume control ...
3. PrimaLuna Dialogue Premium HP mono with KT150

Then used, VAC, ARC, CJ ...

I'm a tube guy so I would stick with tubes. You can't beat the 3D, layering, timbre ...
zd542
5,339 posts
 
"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."

People say a lot of things. If that were the case, then why does Ayre make amps that cost more than the one your friend has? Also, looking at some of the other recommendations, and your responses to them, you appear to be flying out of control here. Before you take anyone's advice, including mine, you need to do some listening before you buy anything. Otherwise, you'll just make a costly mistake.
fsmithjack's avatar
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fsmithjack OP
712 posts
 
Zd542

Flying out of control?? How do you come up with that. Who says that? I have it boiled down to 2 amps and am asking for other members opinions and if others offer new other ideas then great I would love to hear them.

I am buying used gear from people with mutiple trades involved that are over a 1000 miles away. Asking for advice I would think is a smart and controlled way of getting more information. I have already read everything available on both the amps and am hoping to reach out to the Agon gang to get some more info.

That would be great if I could just go to a dealer and listen and buy new amps like I am sure you are referring to but don't have that luxury. If I buy something and I hate it then I'll flip not a life or death deal either way but just trying to get some more info to make a better inform order decision. Everything I read about the Clayton says it is a uber powerful pure class a true top of the top ss amp that does more for a tube lover than any other ss out there. If that's the case that sign me up I'm in but the newer CJ are a the safer bet and nothing is free. I have found the bigger the risk to more opportunity for upside. My problem is a May dislike the class or the newer CJ is more of the same so asking for more info is what I am hoping for...
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