Extremas with Clayton or Gamut

SirSpeedy:

The M-300's are fabulous and I am driving the Revel Ultima Salon II as well. With a VAC preamp I couldn't ask for more!.
It's unfortunate that Clayton and Wilson Shen are not more well known as his class A monoblocks may be the most natural sounding solid state amplifiers available, with authority and extension.

The Gamuts are also wonderful, but I might give a slight edge to the M-300's.

Audiobrian,thanks for the info-:)

Funny thing is....I too would seriously consider the VAC pre/phonostage(not the highest priced one,but the "um cheap" $12,000 model...heh,heh.

I was able to compare that pre/phonostage to the TOP VTL units,along with the TOP Zanden Pre/phonostage,and both myself and the other folks present felt the VAC was better than the VTL,and equal to the mega buck Zanden(except when the Zanden was in equalized mode,for Decca pressings).

A great mating,I'd hope.....but...

I am very concerned about te "heat issue" from 300 wpc of class "A".I've gotten superb results in the past with a modded Rowland two chassis 8T class A/B amp,that ran ice cold,but sounded fabulous.

I don't want to have to sit in a Speedo,to hear music-:)

sincerely,
Mark

Btw,forgot to ask if something like a class A/B Pass X-350.5 or the "seemingly" bargain priced Plinius SB-301 will be competitive with the Claytons?This driving the Revel Salon Ultima II's,of course(they need power).

I'm leaning to Clayton,but the heat issue is a BIG one,because I've been there before,and it can be a royal pain.

Thanks

Hi Sirspeedy:

The VAC Ren III with phono (12K) is almost the equal of the Signature model (18K)....and it mates fabulous with the Claytons....as I said, I believe VAC preamps are the "cats meow" both sonically and in their ability to mate with any amplifier.

I have been pleasantly surprised that the heat issue of the M-300's has not been as bad as I thought and I live in FL. A ceiling fan in the listening room and central air conditioning for the entire house has worked well. By the way, the low power setting, allowing 200 wpc in class A emits much less heat and sounds almost as good. Of course the M-200's are another possibility.

Happy Holidays, God Bless America, and good listening.

Oh to answer your question on Pass and Plinius...yes I'm sure they are competitive, but IMHO not the equal of the the Claytons, especially the M-300's.
One nice thing about the excellent Revel Ultima Salon II loudspeakers are they sound great with most excellent amplifiers with sufficient power....but I've enjoyed them MOST with Clayton and Gamut....extremely natural and accurate sound.

Stay well