Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Sept 17, 2018 10:03:34 GMT
Well it arrived double boxed and looks to be a very clean example. I was a bit unsure what to expect because the seller said it had only had 10 hours use since bought new.. I figured there might be isssues because of this.
Only an hour on it and only CD used so I’m still getting to know it. Tonally I really like it. That was obvious immediately. Resolution wise, it’s a way off the Campion, but pretty much everything else I’ve heard is tbh. My previous Exposures were too. Like the Exposures though, it’s a “big” sound with lots of life.
Can’t see me parting with the Claymore because I like it. It feels like it wants to live with me and I feel an attraction towards it too. The word I’d like to use to describe it so far is “human”. The one and only other time I used that word was when I heard the Naim CDI, so it’s a very good start.
I should say I won’t be parting with my Campion either, but this is a very sexy “bit on the side” that I could certainly want in my life too.
Back to doing some more listening. Might even fire up the phono stage today or tomorrow.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 17, 2018 11:52:06 GMT
Get some pics up when you have time.
S.
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Sept 17, 2018 12:02:24 GMT
Get some pics up when you have time. S. Will do. I’m gonna get the lid off and take a look inside. You’d like it, Shane, I’m sure. |
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Sept 17, 2018 12:15:05 GMT
It’s always good to get your thoughts down as you go, because you can look back at a later stage. I’ve only just reverted to the Campion and it’s exactky as I remembered. I’ll keep on with the analogy above.
The Campion is like Anna Torv: Svelte, elegant, sosftky spoken but sexy with it. It has a beauty in its silky sleekness and it appeals to your intellect. It may have it’s serious side, but there’s more than enough fun in there for anyone.
The Claymore: Well it’s more of a Nigella. Older and somehow more savvy. Voluptuous and definitely full bottomed. A very clear naughty side which leaves you in no doubt it wants to get down and dirty. It urges you to forget your intellect and engage with your senses. Very, very satisfying on a visceral and emotional level.
I tend to know instantly if I like something and the Claymore was more instant than most. I can’t think of an amp from that generation I’ve enjoyed more. That includes the following:
Cyrus 2
Audiolab 8000a
Myst Tma3
Onix OA21
Ion Obelsik 3x/Xpac 1
Naim Nait
NVA AP30 and 35
John Shearhe Phase 2 Ref
Exposure X and XV
Looking forward to some more “on the side” from it.
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Sept 17, 2018 13:19:06 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Sept 17, 2018 14:58:08 GMT
Nice one, Andrew. Does the Claymore have decent power? Or is it the type of amp that needs 'easy' to drive speakers?
S.
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Sept 17, 2018 15:03:01 GMT
Nice one, Andrew. Does the Claymore have decent power? Or is it the type of amp that needs 'easy' to drive speakers? S. It sounds like a big amp. Lots of power in hand. I was using it about 9 o clock with CD, lovely bottom end to it as well and no nasties up top. That said, bass is very tight Andy solid. There’s no boom or overhang, it actually gave the bass of the Planets more definition than I’ve heard. I thought their bass was maybe a bit loose, but not withnthe Claymore. I think they are a synergistic match. The Claymore.tends to have a much closer “front row”sound to it, which I have always liked. Voices sound bigger and meatier than I have heard them in a good while. I haven’t tried the phono stage yet, but will try another day. Oddly the Claymore 2 I had was nowhere near as fruity. Then again it had a fault and it was only being used with Rogers LS7s, which I got with it and also had problems. I never liked the look of the Claymore 2 either. This one just has lovely proportions. If only it was white or blue, eh? |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 17, 2018 15:05:31 GMT
Looks very well thought out. Loving how well made that is.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 17, 2018 15:05:48 GMT
Nice one, Andrew. Does the Claymore have decent power? Or is it the type of amp that needs 'easy' to drive speakers? S. It sounds like a big amp. Lots of power in hand. I was using it about 9 o clock with CD, lovely bottoms end to it as well and no nasties up top. Oddly the Claymore 2 I had was nowhere near as fruity. Then again it had a fault and it was only being used with Rogers LS7s, which I got with it and also had problems. I never liked the look of the Claymore 2 either. This one just has lovely proportions. If only it was white or blue, eh? Have you also listened at 10-11 o'clock? If yes, did the Claymore stay composed or clipped? S. |
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Sept 17, 2018 15:15:10 GMT
Just getting going at that level. No real need for more than about 10 o clock unless you are having a disco. I’d need much more difficult speakers to tell you more, unless you’re planning to use something like early Linn Sara’s, I can’t see it’s power being a factor tbh.
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Sept 17, 2018 15:22:35 GMT
Looks very well thought out. Loving how well made that is. I’d expected to be underwhelmed tbh. How wrong I was. Just shows why it’s ALWAYS worth getting stuff and trying it in your own home, you’ve had your fair share of bitching from the sidelines for trying stuff, but I’m glad to see you just laugh at them and carry on. Whilst they are pontificating and making assumptions, you are gaining first hand experience and finding out what you really like. I don’t really understand curcuit topology. The fact The claymore layout doesn’t appear symmetrical kind of put me off the pics its internals, but it looks much better now I see it in the flesh. Looking closer and seeing the smoothing caps are Elna Audio tells me the designer took care over his choices. I wonder what happened to him  |
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Post by macca on Sept 17, 2018 15:38:26 GMT
It's in lovely condition, looks brand new but I guess it must be at least 30 years old?
BTW, Shane, how loud it gets for a certain position on the volume control is not the way to gauge power output. A lot of amps have all the gain before you reach half-way on the volume control, for that very reason - i.e fooling people into thinking the amp is massively more powerful than it really is: 'I'm only halfway round and listen to how loud it is already!'
Can't imagine Colin doing that, mind.
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Sept 17, 2018 16:13:28 GMT
Sonneteer are known to do the opposite. They reckon a pot is at its most accurate further round the dial, so their amps are usually singing somewhere between 12 O’clock and 3 O’clock.
Other than one small blemish on the gold pinstripe, it would pass for new. It was very clean and fresh looking inside too.
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Post by macca on Sept 17, 2018 17:25:19 GMT
I think some pots have balance problems right near the start of their track too, so that makes sense.
It will make some people think it is underpowered though. Especially as most mass-market amps are already too loud before the volume is barely off zero. Not a problem with cassette or vinyl but that really used to piss me off big time with CD. You could never set them to that point in between too quiet and too loud.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 17, 2018 18:42:11 GMT
Must be good if colin designed it.
Any writing on the transformer ? Voltage, VA ?
I take it the green coils are output inductors with parallel resistor inside the coil and the 4 green wires are signal out to speakers ?
Get them coils removed and input coupling cap asap. .................only kidding
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Sept 17, 2018 19:09:30 GMT
I should’ve snapped the transformer before puttingthe lid back on. I normally look for the details too. All I recall is an orange label and a name I’m not familiar with. The s/n is black on black and hard to read, but it looks like it’s says CW0909. Guess that might mean Colin built it.
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Post by macca on Sept 17, 2018 19:41:24 GMT
I suppose like almost all hi-fi it was built to a price-point, so you might be able to upgrade it in some way(s) given you've got the designer here to ask. If there is the scope for improvement without just effectively building a whole new amp ofc.
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Sept 17, 2018 19:55:53 GMT
There are a number of updates Colin can do, which I’ve seen in other threads. I think I will get to know it better first, but I think I will probably keep it as stock. My thinking is that it’s so much fun the way it is and it’s of its era. I already have a highly detailed amp as an alternative, so it’s really my fun factor amp. I once had a cheaper pot changed out for a more expensive one on another amp and that fun factor was gone. I can’t wait to hear the MC stage. If it has the same flaour as the rest of the amp, if should be more than good enough.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 17, 2018 20:15:30 GMT
Looks very well thought out. Loving how well made that is. I’d expected to be underwhelmed tbh. How wrong I was. Just shows why it’s ALWAYS worth getting stuff and trying it in your own home, you’ve had your fair share of bitching from the sidelines for trying stuff, but I’m glad to see you just laugh at them and carry on. Whilst they are pontificating and making assumptions, you are gaining first hand experience and finding out what you really like. I don’t really understand curcuit topology. The fact The claymore layout doesn’t appear symmetrical kind of put me off the pics its internals, but it looks much better now I see it in the flesh. Looking closer and seeing the smoothing caps are Elna Audio tells me the designer took care over his choices. I wonder what happened to him There is no substitute for experience mate. I couldn't give a F#ck what any one says about me. I always do exactly what i want to do, It is the only way to be happy. I think if people are honest, they'd like to be that way too lol Enjoy the Amp mate. Look's very nice. I love the styling too. |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 18, 2018 6:27:29 GMT
Yup nice amp Westie, a wee british classic.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 18, 2018 14:34:43 GMT
How are you getting on with the Claymore, Andrew?
S.
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Sept 18, 2018 15:18:04 GMT
How are you getting on with the Claymore, Andrew? S. Err, my day has been a bit like this.  Then this  Then back to this  And then this  |
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Sept 18, 2018 15:26:32 GMT
Sorry for the gratuitous post, but it sure made me feel good!
I’ve been playing mostly with vinyl but also trying different volumes on line level. No doubting the Sonneteers extra detail and spatial info. But then, the Claymore is a lovely amp when you play a bit louder amd has great drive together with a lovely intimacy on vocals.
Vinyl wasnt really a fair compariosn. The internal stage was never really going to compete with the Sedley. Is is very musical though and I can very easily enjoy it on it’s own terms. Lots of phono stages I can’t say that about. MFA1? Pioneer A400? Cambridge 640 or 651?All shockers which the Claymore would stomp on. The Sedley is clearly better though and it has a lovely quality I hadn’t realised. You can actually talk to each other when it’s playing. It never “loud” yet it has loads of detail and great rhythm.
An Orton just popped up on EBay and it was tempting, but I’m happy right now and it’s also black. If and when I take that step it will need to be silver.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 18, 2018 16:28:57 GMT
My day was more like this.  |
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Sept 18, 2018 16:32:43 GMT
My day was more like this. Not a bad day by any measure, I guess it’s left you with an appetite, |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 18, 2018 16:35:33 GMT
I guess it’s left you with an appetite, Well I'm having dinner shortly.  |
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Sept 19, 2018 11:05:09 GMT
The gift that keeps on giving!
It has a headphone jack on the Back! I wonder how good it is..........
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Post by Deleted on Sept 19, 2018 14:12:53 GMT
The gift that keeps on giving! It has a headphone jack on the Back! I wonder how good it is.......... Well try it!! S. |
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Sept 19, 2018 14:17:44 GMT
I will do but I only have SR80s so it’s not go8ng to be a greatly revealing test to me. I’m used to using RS2e. I did briefly use the SR80s with an Arcam Alpha amp and it was very blurry compared to the Schiit and RS2s.
Right now I’m listening in astonisment to an OC9 cart I have just installed. Boy does it ssound good through the Sedley. Better than I’ve heard an OC9.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 19, 2018 14:24:00 GMT
I will do but I only have SR80s so it’s not go8ng to be a greatly revealing test to me. I’m used to using RS2e. I did briefly use the SR80s with an Arcam Alpha amp and it was very blurry compared to the Schiit and RS2s. Right now I’m listening in astonisment to an OC9 cart I have just installed. Boy does it ssound good through the Sedley. Better than I’ve heard an OC9. Bare in mind that Grado's are quite easy to power. Through the Asgard. Do use use gain on high/low? S. |
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