Justin & Jerry's Hifi Blog

[Firebottle]

Interesting Jerry, will be keen to read of your findings

[jandl100]

Interesting Jerry, will be keen to read of your findings

Initial listening indicates ....
Meaty bass, tonally rich midband, slightly dry treble. Fast - hi-rez - impactful dynamics. Excellent 3D imaging

[southall-1998]

Very interesting, Jerry.

S.

[myles]

I have the Inca Tech Oberon, which I presume is similar in circuitry. I am, and have been very impressed with it from day one. I'm sure you are going to enjoy this one!

[Idlewithnodrive]

Nice amps the Claymore, one of Mr Wonfors finest.

Owned mine for a year or so, which is good going for me. If you like that, try the Oberon, a real corker for the money Another "wish I'd never got rid of" piece of kit.

Edit: Which I sold to the gentleman above

[Sovereign]

Nice one Jerry, I made a big one off Wonfor amp last year, my build thread is around somewhere, very pleased with it! Never heard the Claymore but would like to one day. Wind it up to prosper listening levels and let us know what you think.

[myles]

Nice amps the Claymore, one of Mr Wonfors finest.

Owned mine for a year or so, which is good going for me. If you like that, try the Oberon, a real corker for the money Another "wish I'd never got rid of" piece of kit.

Edit: Which I sold to the gentleman above

You certainly did, and I kid you not...I am eternally grateful. I can't believe I tried to haggle a few quid off the asking! It really was a stone cold bargain.

[jandl100]

The Claymore is a very good amp.
Synergistic progress has been made and the somewhat dry treble that had been bugging me has been sorted.

The Xiang Sheng Chinese DAC with valve buffer that works so marvellously with my el84 amp just didn't get on with the Claymore. Substituting my Wyred4Sound DAC1 and glory be, a nicely neutral top end.

The resulting sound doesn't quite have the 3D presence and fantastic detail resolution of the el84 amp/Xiang Sheng DAC but it has a beefier / meatier dynamic presence that is very enjoyable in its own way.

More listening needed! -- which will now be much more enjoyable without the somewhat grainy overlay that had previously been on offer!

[mikeyb]

Good stuff, I've always wondered what that version of the Claymore was like as I still hanker after some vintage gear to play with.

Mind you not easy to accommodate much in the way of extra kit here as my main system is in the living room and my wife likes it nice and neat and tidy, so I'm stuck with my PMC 21's and she steadfastly refuses to allow any alternative.

Always a good and informative read this thread.

Mike

[jandl100]

Always a good and informative read this thread.

Mike

Thanks Mike.

Looking back I see that I have failed to fully mention my new DAC. Very remiss of me!

It's kind of tucked away for a decent photo, so here is a stock photo of the unit ...



Rear view showing that it has a choice of outputs, either via the valve buffer or solid state.
The solid state output is a bit scrawny and lifeless, so the 'tube' output is the way to go.



Digital inputs from USB, RCA, TOSLINK. It also has 2 analogue input stereo pairs, switchable from the front input selection knob next to a volume control. So it's a proper pre-amp as well.

It's a Xiang Sheng DAC-01A. Also available in the guise of Grant Fidelity and Maverick.
It's Chinese with a valve buffer utilising a 5670 valve. Valve rolling makes a fair bit of difference.
It cost me £69 + £6 delivery on eBay and is available direct from China for just on £100 + import duty and taxes.

It is astonishingly good. And not just good for the money.

Very hi rez, amazing in the room presence. Superb 3D, focussed imaging.
It's undoubtedly one of the very best DACs I have heard.
The only downside I think is that the treble is a little dry, so requires appropriate system matching. It's superb with my Yarland FV34Ciii el84 amp (another amazing bargain!) and the pairing provide the best sound I have had for my personal preferences - but not so good with my original Inca Tech Claymore which works better with my W4S DAC1.