Clayton Audio M70 mono blocks Any Info??

I used to own a pair of these amps, need careful match up to a preamp, preferably tube. However I did a side by side comparision to a pair of Blue Circle BC-2 monoblocks and it was no contest. The Blue Circles were far more musical. So I sold the Claytons. I am not saying they weren't good amps but he would be probably better with a pair of the new Bel Canto digital EVO 200.2 in bridged mono for around the same money. Read the review in www.stereotimes.com or better yet have him audition both amps and let him be the judge. The EVO 200.2 bettered my pair of Blue Circles, so I am going the digital amp route soon.

Blue Circle BC2 is a hybrid tube design and really should not be compared to a solid state design like Clayton. They are really apples and oranges. The Clayton is a high current solid state design that sounds as good as any solid state out there is the price range. They are as accurate as any amplifier that I have heard. They are designed and voiced around classical music. Several reviews that are good to read can be found at ecoustics.com. I would suggest you listen to them to see if you like the way that they sound. They have some of the tightest base that I have heard and no grain at all in the higher freq. The only preamp that they won't work with is a passive preamp and from there you need to try before you buy. The reviews have said that the midrange is "tube like" but I have read that about many solid state amps and don't hear what they are talking about. They are as true to the music the way it was recorded as any amp I have heard. Also check out the reviews by the owners of these amps on Audioreview.

Since both the Blue Circle and the Claytons are in similar price ranges I think it is fare to say that the Blue Circle beat the Clayton in all aspects, a much more musical amp. And my question goes out to Bohemiam7 did you own both and had both available at the same time to audition. So I feel I can make this statement and compare the two. I personally don't see the Claytons in the same league as the Blue Circles and I will say it again to the gentleman asking about the Claytons that you should audition the Claytons against the Bel Canto EVO's and let your ears do the judging. Accuracy is not everything especially if the amp is not musical. Once I listened to the Bel Canto it bested again my favorite the BC-2's. More people who listen to all the best solid state amps say the same thing about the Bel Canto EVO. Read Stu's review in Stereo Times, and this is coming from someone who has listened to many solid state amps loves the EVO 200.2. And one of Stu's favorite amps before the EVO was the Blue Circle BC-2's.

Mroadster, I am glad to hear about another rival to the Clayton M70's. I was going to buy a pair of them used for 2200.00. I will have to take a listen to the Bel Canto before I make a decision. Thanks for the input. I have listened to the Clayton's for quite a bit. What would you say is the big difference between them and the Bel Canto? I have a pair of ML Requests with an Audible Illusions pre-amp. Will these work well with the Bel Canto?