Jack
Active member
Just curious if there was going to be any place to hear what his designs sound like.
Killer 300b amps
- Thread starter Mike
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- #42
dlb2
New member
- Thread Author
- #44
Thanks Doug.
Jack, I called Clayton just now and he said he does plan on adding a few select dealers around the country for the reason you mentioned.
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Jack, I called Clayton just now and he said he does plan on adding a few select dealers around the country for the reason you mentioned.
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Jack
Active member
Mike
I understand the ID completely with electronics and I have bought my share of them from amplifiers to preamps to CD players. Speakers on the other hand are a more personal thing plus room dependent. When you start working in the 5 digit market based only on reviewers and faith alone then selling and making a go of it gets tricky. When I upgraded my Vandersteens in February to a "new" model I knew that not only did Richard have plenty of dealers if I wanted to drive, but he also had enough standing and credibility that his product would get reviewed by the "major players" and probably by people whose opinion I knew how to measure. As it turned out that is what happened and I bought with confidence sight unseen. Same thing if I decide later in to year to add a pair of Reynaud Offrande Supremes. I trust Bob Neill's opinion and would again buy sight unseen, though I have owned an earlier version of the speaker. With these "newer" designers it is just more risky, so I will wait to see what your opinion is of both the "little" ones he is sending you and the "New statement model." That will tell me whether or not to take a road trip.
I understand the ID completely with electronics and I have bought my share of them from amplifiers to preamps to CD players. Speakers on the other hand are a more personal thing plus room dependent. When you start working in the 5 digit market based only on reviewers and faith alone then selling and making a go of it gets tricky. When I upgraded my Vandersteens in February to a "new" model I knew that not only did Richard have plenty of dealers if I wanted to drive, but he also had enough standing and credibility that his product would get reviewed by the "major players" and probably by people whose opinion I knew how to measure. As it turned out that is what happened and I bought with confidence sight unseen. Same thing if I decide later in to year to add a pair of Reynaud Offrande Supremes. I trust Bob Neill's opinion and would again buy sight unseen, though I have owned an earlier version of the speaker. With these "newer" designers it is just more risky, so I will wait to see what your opinion is of both the "little" ones he is sending you and the "New statement model." That will tell me whether or not to take a road trip.
- Thread Author
- #46
Jack, just as any FYI, Clayton has been designing speakers since the 80's. But I do get your point. I've heard his other work, so like you with Vandy, I'm fairly confident. But, the proof is in the pudding. At the end of the day, they will be fun to try and we have worked out an agreement on how to handle things just in case they don't work out.
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Jack
Active member
That's great Mike. If they turn out to be something special I would love to hear them. I think the 12Be Reference in Rosso Red would look good here.:exciting:
- Thread Author
- #48
The Statements (not listed) is where my interest is because they will offer open baffle bass. I was going to go 12be's until Clayton let it slip about the Statements.
But I need to remain cautious and temper my enthusiasm until I hear them in MY room. But their design, specs, looks, etc all have me very excited. If I hadn't heard his earlier designs, I wouldn't have been even considering these. But I know what he is capable of and if he says "the statements are it - I can't think of a way to build a better speaker" - I'm interested.
2 months before delivery. Stay tuned in mid-July. In the meantime, wussy tube amps apply here!
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Jack
Active member
He's updated the website today and the Statements are listed as shipping end of July. For Wussy tube amps I still like the Line Magnetics and the Music Reference RM-10 which has been in production for over 30 years.
- Thread Author
- #50
That's great, we discussed that. I also suggested he add a color swatch to the site....just to get people thinking of color ideas.
I like those two as well. I'm likely going to run with the Cary's for now. If the Lumina Statements are keepers and work in my room, then I can look at some other options.
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ha you love sending links that you know im going to check out where the guy is using zu speakers.lol. soul supremes in this case. nice!!!!
thats what im talkin bout!!!!!!
cant wait to see what you come up with!!!
dlb2
New member
I especially like this part:
But the amp really comes into its own with the 100-dB ZU Audio Soul Superfly speakers, which are able to coax near-stadium-level volume and dynamics out of the 300p’s 20 watts per channel. The ZU’s 16-ohm impedance provides a benign load, transferring power easily from amplifier to speaker.
hahahaha!!! i like that too!!! can get a pair of those home for $4500 and 60 day money back guarantee. something to definitely consider.
AJ Soundfield
Well-known member
Hi Mike, that sensitivity (voltage?) would certainly make it feasible to use a low power amp, like a 300b. But the 2nd part is a bit tricky. What does it actually mean? It might be prudent to get the actual impedance curve from Clayton. It can be critical. I'll explain.
I take it you were smitten by the sound at Johns, but, keep in mind that while he used a 300b, his system is fully active (DSP front end). I believe (and will confirm) that it only drove the ribbon horns. Why is this important? Remember what Linkwitz said about (active vs passive) putting passive components between the amp and speaker?
Here is the impedance of the Beyma
Flat as a pancake, as expected from a ribbon/planar driver.
Now the typical randomly selected "10 ohm" "tube friendly" multi dynamic (coil) driver 2 way, with crossover components, as seen by the amp:
Notice the difference? Ok, why does this matter? Because a 300b is going to have high output impedance/low-no NFB.
Now read this (which I reference in the Product Q&A section on my site): Highly Reactive Loads and SET Amplifiers (JA from Stereophile did a very similar article also, which I can never find).
So the key isn't the "8 ohms". It's whether the impedance curve looks more like the Beyma (and correspondingly what you heard at Johns), or the other, in which case the 300b will "sound" anything but like that.
cheers,
AJ
- Thread Author
- #55
AJ - I have emailed him and asked for it. He told me it was very smooth. Will see for sure though.
dlb2
New member
i guess it doesnt have to be an integrated if im getting a preamp for the carys anyway.lol.
