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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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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?
mitch2
4,048 posts
 
selling dealer said those will work fine
He is wrong. These amps need a balanced signal that you will not get through an adaptor.

In addition to the Jensen transformers that Al mentions above, and that I used, K&K sells a Lundahl version that plugs directly into the XLR input on the amp. Both should work fine, but the Lundahl version would negate the need for a second set of very short XLR ICs. If you do get the Jensen version, get two of the mono style (PI-RX) so you can sit one next to each amp. You will then need two quite short XLR to XLR ICs to run from the transformers to your amps. I have a pair if you are interested. Otherwise, try the Lundahl version that doesn't need the second IC.

Also, there are impedance matching issues with the transformers. The issue benefits from the Clayton's high'ish 100K ohm input impedance but you should still try to use a preamp that has a low output impedance. I was mostly using a Tom Evans preamp with an output impedance of less than 100 ohms but I did also use a Lamm LL2 and it sounded very good as well. If specific questions about matching with your gear, talk to the folks at Jensen or K&K.
onhwy61's avatar
onhwy61
5,242 posts
 
I've used the Jensen transformers and they definitely work, but why bother? Just get a set of Mogami or Canare balanced cables to start and wait until you can spring for a set of audiophile approved and priced cables.
mitch2
4,048 posts
 
Is Frank not planning to drive the amps from a single-ended preamp? I thought that was why he was talking about adapters. If he will drive the amps directly from the Bricasti, or from a balanced preamp, then you are absolutely correct, he should simply use balanced cables.
almarg's avatar
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almarg
9,670 posts
 
All good points by those who have responded following my post above. I'll add, assuming that the amps are to be directly driven by the M1, that the M1's very low output impedance will act in the direction of reducing sensitivity to cable effects and cable differences. And use of a balanced XLR-to-XLR connection between the M1 and the Claytons might in itself do likewise, depending on how the design of the Clayton's input circuit handles the ground connection on pin 1 of the XLR connector.

In fact I wouldn't rule out the possibility, for that specific application, that if given a thorough and unbiased assessment a pair of inexpensive Mogami Gold Studio XLR-to-XLR cables might do just as well as cables selling for $thousands. See the post by Atmasphere here, and his responses to my follow-up questions later in that thread.

Regards,
-- Al
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