Extremas with Clayton or Gamut

Hi Soix:

Usually that is an easy question. But strangely, and happily, these two amplifiers, despite significant differences in topology, have nearly identical sonic signatures. Remarkeably accurate, tonally correct midrange, extended articulate bass and treble. IMHO, both easily better the usual crowd (ML, Krell, Ayre, etc...all very fine products). Both are just natural sounding and mate equally well with SS or tube preamps; both single ended an XLR inputs on the Gamut/Gamut-like (I am not able to legally call my units Gamut- although Michael Edinger, it's builder, made Gamut..well..Gamut!)only XLR with the Claytons.

Both can easily drive nearly any speaker I can think of, with rare exception.

BTW if you have an interest in a custom UA D220 (supercharged Gamut D 200 mkIII) I am now using the UA M300 monoblocks (supercharged Gamut M250's)....I alternate these with the Claytons..... please let me know...sonic signatures identical, just a wee bit more power with the monoblocks. I have never before had any interest in selling, but with the UA M300's and the Clayton M300's, I really don't use the fabulous UA D220.

Enjoy your halloween weekend!

Well, I was going to chime in, but togs may be in hybernation for the winter. I think the Gamut amps are one of the best kept secrets in the US. In europe, its a different story. The D200MrkII which I personally own is one of the most neutral, resolving pieces I have ever heard. Period. It has a unique signature in that, depending on the type of speakers you use, it will mold itself to their performance characteristics. Sounds weird I know. For example, some say that the Gamuts lack bass weight. When connected to my JBL 4312C's...they do. But, they dont. Those speakers are designed with an almost perfectly flat frequency response. Almost. You would not expect much bass from those 12 inch minimum excursion woofers. BUT, when hooked up to my VTL 150's, its a completely different story. Now, on the other hand, when the D200II is connected to my Theil 2.4's, the bass extension goes beyond what the VTL's can do. I can assure you it has nothing to do with tube vs SS amplification personas. The Gamut has a peculiar way of integrating with different speakers. Maybe its the single huge Mosfet design? Though I can't wrap my brain around that. The claytons are wonders in their own right. Very similar indeed as Audiobrian mentions. Honestly, I would go for the Gamut, and thats only because I have a bias. You really cant go wrong either way.

I agree with the above comments that the Gamut amps are excellent.

My experience was after trying several SS amps (McIntosh, Bryston 2 channel, Boulder), I was still searching for an amp to bring my Eggleston Andra 3’s to life. I was having trouble getting them to deliver the deep dynamic bass I knew they were capable of creating.

I had read several positive comments about the Gamut amps but did not have any experience. My choice was between the Bryston monoblocks (28BSST) or the Gamut monoblocks (M250i). In the end, I decided to try the Gamut M250i’s which have a lower power rating than the Bryston’s but the dealer assured me that low end authority would not be a problem.

As many audiophiles know, unfortunately lots of products fail to live up to our expectations however this was one situation where the opposite was true.

From the minute I turned the amps on they immediately took control of the woofers and created the exact power, resolution and transparency I was looking for in my system. The bass impact was immediate and visceral (which I really enjoy). The bigger surprise for me was the ability of the amps to resolve the low level midrange and upper midrange detail while still sounding very natural.

While I have switched out my fair share of components over the last few years, I know that these amps will stay in my system for a long time as they are the best I have ever used

What do you folks think of the Claytons in general?I may be considering the M-300's driving Revel Salon Ultima II's down the road.

Thanks

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.