Clayton Audio - Alive and very well

The mechanical transformer hum issue, yo my understanding, has long been resolved. However, there are a number of older units ping ponging around generating continued remarks. My S2000 is very quiet and very musically natural. The company is indeed very small but Mr Shen is very reputable, available and responsive, standing behind his products.
He is a knowledgeable electrical engineer, his class A topology a bit different than some other well respected names (Pass, Accuphase). Just to also state I am not a dealer or company representative, just a fan of Clayton amplifiers. My favorite high powered solid state amplifier is Clayton Audio, my favorite high powered tube design is VAC. Happy listening and thanks for your responses!

Hi Dayglow and Jdolgin.
Thanks for your responses. Clayton Audio is now dealing direct and I did indeed purchase my S2000 direct. One thing to know, however, as Mr Shen shared with me immediately, that his current pricing is very fair but non negotiable. This is necessary when doing away with the dealer network, so all customers are treated equally. His amplifiers are not cheap, but as they are as good or perhaps (IMHO) better than amplifiers 4-5x the price, they still represent value as well as state of the art. I should mention again that Mr Shen is quite available and stands behind his gear.
He can be reached at Claytonamp@aol.com. (314 862 6017)

Dracule1 : you're right that it is unusual to charge more direct, but Wilson has always undercharged for his gear, and each and every amplifier is hand built by him. IMHO Clayton's high powered class A designs seem to be more natural and musical than other highly regarded names at much higher pricing. Put the new M300s up against the $100,000 plus Soulution mono blocks and you'll have a most difficult time deciding on a winner!

Boonetrc : the Claytons sound wonderful driven with either tubes or solid state preamps but tubes such as VAC and ARC are especially satisfying!
Enjoy your M100s!

Hi Weebeesdad:
According to the pricing Wilson forwarded me, the S100 stayed the same but his M200/300 and S2000 increased considerably. Wilson adjusted his pricing higher feeling that his gear was underpriced. I will try to include it below. His amplifiers are better today than my first M200 pair back in 2009....extremely musical and IMO as good as anything out there, including Soulution, Constellation, etc priced 4 times higher. Good luck!

January 1, 2014


S40​ Class A stereo power amplifier, 50 watts per channel.
Single ended, RCA input
9.25” W by 20.0” D by 9.0” H
$5500.00

S100​ Class A stereo power amplifier, 100 watts per channel.
Single ended, RCA input, High /Low Bias switch
11.00” W by 20” D by 11.50” H
$8,500.00

M200​ ​Class A Monoblock power amplifier, 200 watts per channel.
Full Balanced, XLR input only.
9.25” W by 20.0” D by 9.0” H
$10,500.00 per Pair

M300​​ Class A Monoblock power amplifier, 300 watts per channel.
​​Full Balanced, XLR input only.
​11.00” W by 20” D by 11.50” H
$16,500 per Pair​

S2000​​Class A stereo power amplifier, 300 Watts per channel.
​Custom Order Only
Full Balanced, XLR input only.
16.0” W by 12.0” D by 20.0” H
$17,500

M2000​​Class A Monoblock power amplifier, 400 Watts per channel.
​Custom Order Only
Full Balanced, XLR input only.
16.0” W by 12.0” D by 20.0” H
$30,000 per Pair

Clayton Audio 8151 Stratford Dr. Clayton, MO 63105 U.S.A. Tel: 314-862-6017
claytonamp@aol.com, www. triaudio.com

Hi Weebeesdad
Sorry I've been away from the forums for awhile.  Yes I have heard Claytons lower powered offerings and the family resemblance is very much present!
Given the right speakers and room the S40 and especially S100 can indeed approach the S2000 in performance.  I recently heard some really good and $$$ Constellation and Soulution amplifiers.  I preferred the natural and spacial presentation of the S2000!  With a VAC preamplifier feeding a Clayton amplifier... Really special!!    Thanks and belated happy new year😊

missioncoonery

You present a valid perspective, one which I adhered to strictly in my earlier years as an audiophile.  I first owned a complete Mark Levinson system and enjoyed it. I also tried Krell and Pass, also very fine products and companies...but until I tried a, then, boutique manufacturer in North Carolina called VAC and also Clayton Audio in St Louis I never realized the true potential of high end musicality.
i have not looked back or to other manufacturers since (nearly 20 years) only upgrading to their newer products when feasible.  I feel fortunate to have strayed from the major manufacturer bandwagon when I did.  That said, we do spend considerable money on our hobby and I do understand wanting to safeguard your investment.  I've had great support from VAC and Clayton over the years, but fortunately the need was rare.  Good listening!
   

Hi Phil
Clayton Audio amplifiers are, in my opinion, extremely musical.  They sound very clear and detailed, but also full bodied without "syrup". They have great authority but deliver finesse as well.  They are suited for all types of music and home theater, if you wish.  They mate beautifully with solid state and tube                    preamplifiers.  Using my M200's and now my S2000 I have driven many low and medium sensivity dynamic loudspeakers.  Although I had a pair of Martin Logan
electrostats many years ago, I still had Levinson gear back then. However, I have no doubts that the M200/M300/S2000 would sound fabulous with your ESL loudspeakers.  Wilson Shen is a remarkable designer and electrical engineer and stands behind his amplifiers, but his company is relatively small, to missioncoonery's point.  If you're looking for a great full bodied, detailed and musical solid state amplifier to drive your ESL's, I believe you will be most delighted with Clayton Audio!  If within your budget, you might consider a newer unit as Mr Shen has improved his power supplies in 2012-2013. (Upgrades have been quite infrequent) They have a somewhat commercial appearance (the S2000 the most attractive) but are built like tanks, to last and deliver wonderful music for years.  All the best!

Hi Phil
My preferences are jazz and orchestra, both classical and pop.  I do also enjoy rocking out to Infected Mushroom on occasion.  IMHO the Clayton M300s or S2000 would most pleasingly drive your MLs and meet all your demands.  I'm pretty sure the M200's would suffice as well, but your demands should be fully met with Mr. Shen's 300 wpc class A models. (M300 monoblocks or S2000 stereo model). I have never run out of headroom or heard the Claytons sound harsh or veiled.  These models are not inexpensive in absolute terms, but relative to other great sounding solid state amplifiers (class A or AB) I believe it's a bargain.  Good luck with your decision!

Last I had email contact with Wilson was late 2016.. Not sure if he’s still involved with business.