Claymore

[wee tee cee]

I scan the the private exhibitions the same as most of the troops with a psychological wish list of kit that you would love to own but could never do when it was new.
Well Ive been lucky on a few occasions getting myself some great sounding kit within my budget.

Saw Colin Wonfor was selling a Claymore (his Claymore!!!) and jumped out my seat. Colin has done the business for as long as I have been into it and strikes me as one of those guys that just loves music and letting people enjoy it through his creations.

Well I pulled the trigger and the deal was done...amp duly arrived as promised.

I like my cans-currently running senn 700s, plumbed the Claymore in and fired it up utilising the on board USB DAC and inbuilt headphone amp-mutch scratching of head ensued.

I had been using a battery powered HPA/DAC that in my humble opinion was outstanding(albeit at a tenth of the retail price of the Claymore). As a USB headphone rig its outstanding-really letting the 700s do they're stuff-no high end nastiness that can some times be levelled at them.

I will endeavour to try my 650 s with it and report back.

Ok...down to brass tacks...In the main rig.

I principally run 57s as my main speakers...purchased off one of the troops on here-they can be a bit funny amp wise as they present a difficult load impedance wise-the Claymore flung them around like an empty tracksuit (rag dolled them). 57s are an acquired taste-I love them for they're speed,accuracy and naturalness.

Well...the Claymore does the business and then some!!! I wanted a top notch SS amp that would tick the boxes of valve/d class but with more grunt without losing the finesse.

It does it!!!

I was front end guy first...this amp has made me rethink

Sat listening to music all afternoon yesterday into the small hours of this morning.

Chopped and changed speakers from 57s-/electric beach frugels/spendor sp1s....all different flavours-the frugels with rock really took me aback.

It has a rightness-loads of grunt and a listenability thats made me run through my record colection (spotify is earning its money!).

A special amp!!!

[RichB]

I scan the the private exhibitions the same as most of the troops with a psychological wish list of kit that you would love to own but could never do when it was new.
Well Ive been lucky on a few occasions getting myself some great sounding kit within my budget.

Saw Colin Wonfor was selling a Claymore (his Claymore!!!) and jumped out my seat. Colin has done the business for as long as I have been into it and strikes me as one of those guys that just loves music and letting people enjoy it through his creations.

Well I pulled the trigger and the deal was done...amp duly arrived as promised.

I like my cans-currently running senn 700s, plumbed the Claymore in and fired it up utilising the on board USB DAC and inbuilt headphone amp-mutch scratching of head ensued.

I had been using a battery powered HPA/DAC that in my humble opinion was outstanding(albeit at a tenth of the retail price of the Claymore). As a USB headphone rig its outstanding-really letting the 700s do they're stuff-no high end nastiness that can some times be levelled at them.

I will endeavour to try my 650 s with it and report back.

Ok...down to brass tacks...In the main rig.

I principally run 57s as my main speakers...purchased off one of the troops on here-they can be a bit funny amp wise as they present a difficult load impedance wise-the Claymore flung them around like an empty tracksuit (rag dolled them). 57s are an acquired taste-I love them for they're speed,accuracy and naturalness.

Well...the Claymore does the business and then some!!! I wanted a top notch SS amp that would tick the boxes of valve/d class but with more grunt without losing the finesse.

It does it!!!

I was front end guy first...this amp has made me rethink

Sat listening to music all afternoon yesterday into the small hours of this morning.

Chopped and changed speakers from 57s-/electric beach frugels/spendor sp1s....all different flavours-the frugels with rock really took me aback.

It has a rightness-loads of grunt and a listenability thats made me run through my record colection (spotify is earning its money!).

A special amp!!!

Nice one Tony, under different circumstances that amp would have been mine but I've already maxxed out on my bass gear recently and theres a new car needing too.

Pleased its doing the business for you, sounds like it got a good home (if not mine):doh:

[Ali Tait]

Yes nice one Tony, look forward to hearing sometime.

[wee tee cee]

Just off the phone to Brian...happy to have a wee sesh at my place-sticky buns on me.

It sounds pretty special to me-proofs in the pudding!!!!

yer always welcome....nice to host a gathering of the clans!!!!

[brian2957]

Aye , good talkin to ye buddy . I'll get back to you when I get back from my holiday :)

[jandl100]

Yep, a fabulous amp on rock and electronica. :thumbsup:
Astonishing midrange rez, openness and control, that was the real standout for me.

[brian2957]

Didn't you review this amp Jerry ? Got a link to the review please :)

[jandl100]

Didn't you review this amp Jerry ?

Nope.

I bought one, but it got a bit damaged in the post :( -- had a good listen to it, though, it was just a bit bent and needed a paint refresh. Hugely impressive (as in the best I had heard) on some music like the aforementioned rock and electronica, but a bit feisty at the top end for my classicals. I returned it and it was fixed up and resold to someone else.
I was definitely a bit gutted and pined for a couple of months! I really missed what it did well - but the original owner agreed with me that it wasn't the best choice for most of my type of music.

[wee tee cee]

Pretty much spot on Jerry....With folk/blues/jazz its sublime. I am not much of a classical chap.

It plays with electrostatics exceedingly well.

A very special bit of hi fi Im privileged to have stewardship of....

To say Im happy would be an understatement!!!

[brian2957]

Nope.

I bought one, but it got a bit damaged in the post :( -- had a good listen to it, though, it was just a bit bent and needed a paint refresh. Hugely impressive (as in the best I had heard) on some music like the aforementioned rock and electronica, but a bit feisty at the top end for my classicals. I returned it and it was fixed up and resold to someone else.
I was definitely a bit gutted and pined for a couple of months! I really missed what it did well - but the original owner agreed with me that it wasn't the best choice for most of my type of music.

OK thanks Jerry :)

[mikeyb]

Nope.

I bought one, but it got a bit damaged in the post :( -- had a good listen to it, though, it was just a bit bent and needed a paint refresh. Hugely impressive (as in the best I had heard) on some music like the aforementioned rock and electronica, but a bit feisty at the top end for my classicals. I returned it and it was fixed up and resold to someone else.
I was definitely a bit gutted and pined for a couple of months! I really missed what it did well - but the original owner agreed with me that it wasn't the best choice for most of my type of music.
I wonder if that's the one I have as it has a slight dent on the right edge of the front fascia.

Superb amp, and I now realise that selling mine would be folly ;)

[jandl100]

I wonder if that's the one I have as it has a slight dent on the right edge of the front fascia.

Superb amp, and I now realise that selling mine would be folly ;)

Could be!

Yup, if you don't have to worry about an orchestral violin section getting a bit uppity, it is a superb amp!

[Gazjam]

Nice one Tony, look forward to hearing it.
Double whammy actually, never heard a set of 57's either. :)


I scan the the private exhibitions the same as most of the troops with a psychological wish list of kit that you would love to own but could never do when it was new.
Well Ive been lucky on a few occasions getting myself some great sounding kit within my budget.

Saw Colin Wonfor was selling a Claymore (his Claymore!!!) and jumped out my seat. Colin has done the business for as long as I have been into it and strikes me as one of those guys that just loves music and letting people enjoy it through his creations.

Well I pulled the trigger and the deal was done...amp duly arrived as promised.

I like my cans-currently running senn 700s, plumbed the Claymore in and fired it up utilising the on board USB DAC and inbuilt headphone amp-mutch scratching of head ensued.

I had been using a battery powered HPA/DAC that in my humble opinion was outstanding(albeit at a tenth of the retail price of the Claymore). As a USB headphone rig its outstanding-really letting the 700s do they're stuff-no high end nastiness that can some times be levelled at them.

I will endeavour to try my 650 s with it and report back.

Ok...down to brass tacks...In the main rig.

I principally run 57s as my main speakers...purchased off one of the troops on here-they can be a bit funny amp wise as they present a difficult load impedance wise-the Claymore flung them around like an empty tracksuit (rag dolled them). 57s are an acquired taste-I love them for they're speed,accuracy and naturalness.

Well...the Claymore does the business and then some!!! I wanted a top notch SS amp that would tick the boxes of valve/d class but with more grunt without losing the finesse.

It does it!!!

I was front end guy first...this amp has made me rethink

Sat listening to music all afternoon yesterday into the small hours of this morning.

Chopped and changed speakers from 57s-/electric beach frugels/spendor sp1s....all different flavours-the frugels with rock really took me aback.

It has a rightness-loads of grunt and a listenability thats made me run through my record colection (spotify is earning its money!).

A special amp!!!

[walpurgis]

never heard a set of 57's either. :)

You should. One could say they are spectacular. Certainly in their difference to other speakers and the sense that 'everything' is being revealed. I don't regard them as totally neutral though, there is a slight touch of a twang to them. Think of snapping a taut drumskin with a finger and you'll get an idea.

[Sovereign]

That's fantastic Tony, I love it when you read a review when the the person is truly over the moon with the product. A while ago I bought the TQ Iridium power amp and knew I had something incredible. I had owned some pretty top flight solid state amps and valve amps in my time but I couldn't believe it when I heard Colins Iridium. After a year or so I was given the opportunity to buy another of Colins designs so I had to sell the Iridium as I couldn't afford both. I ended up selling it to a guy who was a real amplifier nut, I have never seen so many high end amps and he had huge class A amps from all over the world, he wanted to hear the Iridium before he bought it, so I was a wee bit anxious to be honest. After about maybe 60seconds of hearing the Iridium he started counting out the cash.
The chap started texting me the following week saying how delighted he was. He ended up buying some TQ speaker cables from me, he went on to buy matching power chord and interconnects, but he was a bit unsure about the interconnects.

Colins amps are rare, when you find one you know you have struck it lucky.

[mikeyb]

Try it with some Berlin School electronic and you'll hear it really perform ;)

[wee tee cee]

That's fantastic Tony, I love it when you read a review when the the person is truly over the moon with the product. A while ago I bought the TQ Iridium power amp and knew I had something incredible. I had owned some pretty top flight solid state amps and valve amps in my time but I couldn't believe it when I heard Colins Iridium. After a year or so I was given the opportunity to buy another of Colins designs so I had to sell the Iridium as I couldn't afford both. I ended up selling it to a guy who was a real amplifier nut, I have never seen so many high end amps and he had huge class A amps from all over the world, he wanted to hear the Iridium before he bought it, so I was a wee bit anxious to be honest. After about maybe 60seconds of hearing the Iridium he started counting out the cash.
The chap started texting me the following week saying how delighted he was. He ended up buying some TQ speaker cables from me, he went on to buy matching power chord and interconnects, but he was a bit unsure about the interconnects.

Colins amps are rare, when you find one you know you have struck it lucky.James,
I had read your amp build threads on TAS and had always thought that one day I would get one of Colin s creations in my set up. Colin was kind enough to include wiring diagrams and some press reviews.

My wife commented on it actually sounding like a 4k amp!!!

Having tried it on the cans Im again just amazed at what it can do...it just makes music sound the way you hoped it would.

Brian said to me "that will be the last amp you buy!"....he could well be right there.

[Gazjam]

Has Brian heard it Tony?
Supposed to be a corker.

[brian2957]

Haven't heard it Gary , just one of those gut feelings . I hope me and you can remedy that soon mate :)

[mikeyb]

Here is it's twin.....
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160425/30d5320e3edf3c40d0576ea2e4488913.jpg

Sat on some oak feet mainly for looks, it's now sitting in my HiFi unit.

[Sovereign]

James,
I had read your amp build threads on TAS and had always thought that one day I would get one of Colin s creations in my set up. Colin was kind enough to include wiring diagrams and some press reviews.

My wife commented on it actually sounding like a 4k amp!!!

Having tried it on the cans Im again just amazed at what it can do...it just makes music sound the way you hoped it would.

Brian said to me "that will be the last amp you buy!"....he could well be right there.your wife is quite correct.:D
Believe it or no I'm right in the middle of building two of Collins DIY 20W class A amplifiers, as I plan to run my speakers actively. I have a crazy plan to stack of the amps on top of each other, therefore I think I should call it the Wonfor Tower of Power :eek:
It will take me awhile to pull together as I also plan to build Nadja xover, when I get there I'm hoping it will be worth it if not it will be a fun process anyway all the best with your Claymore

[wee tee cee]

Thanks James....look forward to reading about the amp build.

[wee tee cee]

Ive managed to get quite a few hours on the cans (senn 700s) with the Claymore as a Headphone amp and USB DAC. It is really rather special. Loads of grunt coupled with a delicacy that just makes you sit up straight.

I got round to trying the 650s with it-its lovely (similar sonic change to going from 57s to Spendor sp1s-initially syrupy in transition but once you tune in the delicious organic warmth just flows).

As standalone headphone amp/ DAC its outstanding IMHO. For serious cans users well worth seeking out just for that purpose( with the benefit of being a stellar remote equipped mega stereo amp).

I have a horrible feeling I might have to buy a turntable....just to make sure the mm/mc input works ok!!!!!

[brian2957]

Nice one mate , I'm really looking forward to hearing this amp .

[Colin Wonfor]

The phono stage works well, I tried it lots of times.
Has to HP/DAC we are about to do one but I am in the middle of a new range of Push-Pull funny A Class designs and pre, 50W and 100W. well I fib the 100W Dual Mono give 140W/8R and only 800W/1R each channel.
But I am having fun and being inspired to do better, well time for a snooze now been up since 1AM oh and maybe a sandwich.

[wee tee cee]

Just came back from Glasgow city center with a Rega RP1 and a copy of Joni Mitchel -BLUE/JOHN MARTYN -SOLID AIR....Plumbed it in and playing just now-reckon 30 years since ive played vinyl(my good lady was my taxi-im blessed!!)

Does sound lovely-getting used to crackles and background hiss as I type!!!

Im doomed!!!!

[brian2957]

This is an interesting development Tony :eyebrows:

[Simon_LDT]

Oh dear, could be going down into the rabbit hole fast! ;)

[Gazjam]

Just came back from Glasgow city center with a Rega RP1 and a copy of Joni Mitchel -BLUE/JOHN MARTYN -SOLID AIR....Plumbed it in and playing just now-reckon 30 years since ive played vinyl(my good lady was my taxi-im blessed!!)

Does sound lovely-getting used to crackles and background hiss as I type!!!

Im doomed!!!!

Very very cool mate, welcome to vinyl! :)
JM sounds good on the black stuff...

[337alant]

Loved that Claymore amp years ago so great buy Tony ;)
A mate of mine brought a Magnum Amp round a 170 something I think? and Im sure this is one of Collins designs. It was just crackling on one channel anyway I fixed it as it was just bad connections and dry switches and pots but when I tried it in my system wow did it kick arse this little integrated amp

Alan

[struth]

Just came back from Glasgow city center with a Rega RP1 and a copy of Joni Mitchel -BLUE/JOHN MARTYN -SOLID AIR....Plumbed it in and playing just now-reckon 30 years since ive played vinyl(my good lady was my taxi-im blessed!!)

Does sound lovely-getting used to crackles and background hiss as I type!!!

Im doomed!!!!

:eek: WIFE MUST ADORE YOU MATE!! whats the secret??

[brian2957]

He's just a cool guy Grant ;)

[Colin Wonfor]

Hi Alan,

I am glad you liked the 170 but when it was compared in a review with the Claymore, it lost. Shame.
The IA 170 was based on the Oberon Amp I did, but with cheaper bits, there are a few Oberon,s about but very rare.

The Oberon Classic was export only but there is a few her in the UK.

http://i1148.photobucket.com/albums/o580/colinwonfor1/OBERON%20CLASIC_zpst7bvfccd.jpg

And the basic Oberon.

http://i1148.photobucket.com/albums/o580/colinwonfor1/OBERON%20a_zpsamvmfpdn.jpg

[wee tee cee]

Got to try the Claymores mm/mc section. With budget Rega its sounds surprisingly good.

Wonder what a top notch TT would sound like?

[RichB]

Got to try the Claymores mm/mc section. With budget Rega its sounds surprisingly good.

Wonder what a top notch TT would sound like?

It'll sound rubbish and you shouldn't try it. In fact I'll save you the trouble and take the amp off your hands so you'll never have to worry about it.;)

[wee tee cee]

Rich yer a gent.....thanks for the kind offer-let me think about it for a while!!!!

[brian2957]

I'll pick it up and deliver it to you at NEBO Rich ........Honest:trust:

[wee tee cee]

I feel the love...AOS at its best-saving me from myself!!!

[brian2957]

Divine intervention needed there mate :lol:

[wee tee cee]

Sad but true....

[SLS]

My son bought a Claymore at Audio Gold a couple of years ago. Quickie and CW fixed it up a few months ago, fixing and replacing a few bits. It is a fine amplifier. Sits in his room, he has another system at University. One of these days I might plug it in my system for a few hours.

[RichB]

I'll pick it up and deliver it to you at NEBO Rich ........Honest:trust:

Safe in the hands of the Scottish Mafia I'll bet.

[Ali Tait]

We'll make you an offer you can't refuse. :-)

[mikeyb]

Will it involve Fish? :feart:

Sent from my XT1562 using Tapatalk

[Ali Tait]

Nah, just a horse's head.

[mikeyb]

Nah, just a horse's head.
Lol nothing worse than finding a nags' heed in yer bed

Sent from my XT1562 using Tapatalk

[Ali Tait]

Aye, too many beers the night before..

[walpurgis]

Aye, too many beers the night before..

Didn't know there was such a thing. :D

[Gazjam]

A belated follow up,
just to say Brian and myself followed the "bisto" scent of cakes and ended up at Tony's.
Great afternoon as always, courtesy of the Tee Cee.

The Claymore is seriously impressive, probably close (if not actually) the best solid state I've heard.
As good as Tony's Quad 63's were I never quite got on with them properly and after years of build up reading about them and hearing about them I was a bit underwhelmed.
They DID need a bit of fettling to be fair, so no black marks there, but I felt the couple of times I heard them that something wasn't quite right.

In hindsight they weren't being driven properly, at least not in any comparitive way to what I heard with the 57's.
Tony played a selection of different types of music (his taste and mine are quite close so a lot of recognisable stuff going on...) and it was a completely different experience to the 63's.

Different speakers, conceded, but you know what the difference in drive, bass slam and openness and general flow of the music was a step change up from the 63's.
Hard to put that down to different static's from the same company.

Naa, it was the amp.
Its a "stoater" as we say up here, a superb amp.
I'm a big one for pride of ownership with the hifi and Tony's a lucky man to own this beastie.

A great day out as always Tony, thanks for the cakes and glass of wine too. (Brian was driving - yay!) :)

[brian2957]

Excuse me glass(es) of wine :lol:
Good write up mate . I had some piccies but my phone wouldn't play with my computer and I'm afraid I lost them.
We went to Tonys to listen to his new amp and ended up listening to music instead . I believe that the Claymore is the final piece in the jigsaw for Tony . This system just plays music . Nobody wanted to substitute anything in or out of the system , we just sat and really enjoyed what the Claymore was doing and how well it was driving the 57s . I have to agree that the Claymore is probably one of the best solid state amp I have ever heard too . Great afternoon and thanks for having us over Tony . I'm really looking forward to our next visit :)

[mikeyb]

Glad it's doing the business for you Tony, I've had mine up for sale a few times now, but a move around of my speakers to the opposite wall showed me what the Claymore is really capable of and unless something unbelievably special comes along this amp isn't going anywhere.

[wee tee cee]

Thanks gents.....always nice to get a no bullshit assessment and honest feedback from ears you trust.

Mike....I reckon you already have something truly special-mine is a keeper.

If I came into some money or was lucky enough for my numbers to come up I would have no hesitation in entrusting Colin Wonfor with a blank check amp build.

[struth]

Sorry to say i missed your get together Tony... My faulty brain im afraid....

[Colin Wonfor]

Well I am at this moment doing a retro Claymore with all the good bits from the Old Claymore and the TQ Claymore in a new design with a look a like old Claymore design it will not be remote or have a DAC on board, but it will have MC and MM.
When the design is finished Alan will I hope get the costing done and will publish the prices, so watch for it.
It will be made under E.W.Audio a company Alan and I had in the 1980,s and we made the Dreadnought Amps.

[mikeyb]

Well I am at this moment doing a retro Claymore with all the good bits from the Old Claymore and the TQ Claymore in a new design with a look a like old Claymore design it will not be remote or have a DAC on board, but it will have MC and MM.
When the design is finished Alan will I hope get the costing done and will publish the prices, so watch for it.
It will be made under E.W.Audio a company Alan and I had in the 1980,s and we made the Dreadnought Amps.

Sounds good, I really like the power my Mk2, combine that with the refinement of the TQ, so if that's what you mean then that would be something special ;)

[Colin Wonfor]

Sounds good, I really like the power my Mk2, combine that with the refinement of the TQ, so if that's what you mean then that would be something special ;)

I do and it will, 98W.8R,160W/4R both channel so far.