Justlisten2

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
3 Months to 1 year

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 1.00 votes

Price Paid:  $3075.00 from AudiogoN

Summary:
I've been living very happily with thes amps for about 8 months now, long enough to have some impressions. The first thing that hit me when I hooked these babies up was 'Soundstaging'. I know I've read this word before, but it never really hit me until now. Suddenly the instruments seemed to be floating outside the speakers! The soundstage depth was also amazing. These are the first monoblocks I've ever owned, but I've usually noticed that monoblocks soundstage better than a stereo amp during auditioning. I didn't realize how much better until I got these hooked up though. The second thing that hit me was the bass. I mean gut wrenching bass, DEEP, TIGHT, POWERFUL!! I certainly didn't expect this, not with only 100 wpc. I've owned amps from Coda, Classe, Threshold, etc with twice that power, and more. They didn't have the control of the nether regions the way the Clayton M100's did. If I closed my eyes I would have guessed that this was a Krell amp with at least 300 wpc, in the bass anyway. It blows the Krells away in the mids and highs. The third thing I noticed was the warmth and richness of the midrange. One of the most tube like solid state amps I've ever heard. I'm a tube fan, I own a tube phono preamp, cd player and preamp. This gives me most of the tube amp magic, with more bass slam and dynamics. Is this amp perfect? No. I've heard amps that that were more transparent. I've heard amps with a blacker background. I've heard amps with a lusher midrange ( though none were SS). However, overall I'm very happy with the balance of these amps. Highly recommended, a bargain in their price range.

Strengths:
Soundstaging, Bass. Rich, Warm Midrange Small size (45 pounds per monoblock sure beats humping around those 100+ pound blocks of steel).

Weaknesses:
Transparency, it is not for those that want the last word in detail. Noise, it's not the quietest amp I've heard. HEAT, these are 100 watts of Class A power, they do run HOT. Looks, they look rather plain. Not ugly or hideous, but not awe inspiring either. I don't buy amps for looks though.

Similar Products Used:
Odyssey Stratos, Coda Model 10 and 20, Classe CA-200, Threshold T400, Krell KSA-250, Cary V-12, BAT VK-500, BAT VK-60.

Price Paid:  $3500.00 from online dealer

Summary:
Since there is only one review I thought I would add my impressions of the Clayton M-100s. Basically, these amps are gloriously moving. Highs are extended and lows are full of detail, no thud. The midrange is equaled by the smaller Clayton S40. But this is not an embarassment since the smaller Clayton midrange is unequaled except by the top tube designs. If your speaker needs power, the M-100s will do the work and provide a moving involvement that is hard to beat exept with single ended designs. Mating them with a top notch preamp and clean musical CD player or equivalent is absolutely necessary to extrant all the magic. You do not need any line conditioner for this preamp since its noise floor is cavelike quiet. I highly recommend them especially used market price.

Strengths:
Power, finesse and bass dynamics. Looks good sitting next to my speakers. Very quiet, with stellar transients...fast and natural sound describing its character.

Weaknesses:
To nitpick, I wish the binding posts had more clearance.

Similar Products Used:
VTL 225, Rowland mono 6's, Pass x350

Price Paid:  $1600.00 from ClaytonAudio.com

Summary:
Everything that the M70s are, the M100s are, and 40% more of it. Read my review of the M70s, then add quite a bit more muscle to the bass. My Aerial 10Ts are power hungry. With the M100 they are now coming alive. Bi-amped they are jumping! This amp is about as good as it gets, and you can still lift them. Bravo designer Wilson Shem, you''ve done it again.

Strengths:
My amps were the first pair that Clayton converted from M70s. This only cost $1600. You can find used M70 for $2000. Steal of a deal. Strengths: tight accurate REAL bass. Not thud, not the big tubby. REAL bass down to DC. Sweet, easy highs. Air. SPEED SPEED SPEED ! Balanced, Accurate, natural. So accurate you will want to own a Placette line stage, becuz everything else sounds muddy. You will want Acoustic Zen cables. You will " need" a $5000 CD player. You have been warned.

Weaknesses:
If you think audiophile sound means either overwhelming bass, or bleeding ears treble keep on looking. The M100s are accurate, really accurate. Wait, is that really a weakness after all? Not to my ears. If you pay twice the retail price you can get Krell, to impress your ego. Just don''t look inside, becuz they use the same transistors as Claytons. They have no snob appeal, gee whiz.

Similar Products Used:
Auditioned almost everything solid state that sells new between $3000 and $15000. Listened to the whole Cary line, Rogue, Airtight.