Need info on amp rec. for these Thiel cs2.4's


Ok, this is my last attempt before I have Crutchfield take the speakers back.

let me say that when things on these speakers sound right it trully is amazing. On most other average CD recordings though the speakers sound tends towards the brighter side. I just recently purchased a NAD M51 DAC and it helped and is a first rate piece of equipent - I have a review on Audiogon if your interested. However, while Im generally happy with the speakers I think either I need to change the amp or get a CJ preamp - ET2 (or similar). Im using the NAD to drive the Amp (a Vincent sp331 - 150 @ 8 ohms and 300 at 4 ohms) directly so no preamp at this time. I hooked up my friends 5082 Adcom for kicks and the treble is good there, but there is no space or dimension to the music. Thus my thoughts on changing the amp. Its flat. He also has a VTL 2.5 preamp that helps by the virtue that it is a tube piece and helps plump up the mids while softening the highs (thus my thoughts of CJ preamp). However sticking a piece of equipment in between the source and amp seems like a backwards step.

Im dedicated to at most $3500 dollars to bring the system in line for the hights. Problem is I have nowhere near me that I can go to listen to the equipment before purchase so its all online for me, so I'd need to be able to puchase it that way. Im not a big fan of used but I could go there if necessary.

Some thoughts on amps:

Channel Islands d200 MKII
Parasound Halo 21

Preamp thoughts:

CJ ET-2
Rogue 99

What my thoughts on what the amp should do is be warm, solid state, not emphsize the highs obviously, balanced or unbalanced, and have at leat near if not more that 300w into 4 ohms. I've heard dampening is important with Thiels but not sure what the numbers mean.

Please any thoughts would be appreciated on my situation here.

My urgency in this is I have till May 17th before I need to tell Crutchfield to take them back.

Now I do really like the speakers and I know many people will tell me to do just that - they are so close to being "there"! But let's use that as a last resort on info here b/c I know I have that option.
last_lemming
No. It's a 5 channel beast made by a now defunct company which is still highly respected. I use a Signature EAD Prepro for music and HT which was modded for me by Noble electronics. Very nice sounding stuff at a good price. Haven't cranked up the Boulder yet to compare the two, but it should be interesting. I also notice that Bryston has been pairing with Thiel at CES and I considered a Bryston integrated for the 2.4's before I found the Boulder on A'gon..
Ok let's start over . . .

Got the Parasound Halo A21 up and running. Not exactly sure what the burn in time will be, but stay tuned! out if the box it's very promising, but I've been down that road before as well.
Well this a21 sure is a sweet thing! I haven't heard umpteen thousand dollar amps on my system to compare, so maybe ignorance is bliss but by my ears it doesn't take any wrong steps that I can hear. At least no major blunders. I've recently switched out my power cords of my power conditioner and the A21 to Pangea AC9se's and that gave the sound more body and more defined sound stage.

I am really starting to like the sound I'm hearing!!
congrats on a happy amp pairing it looks like you got a good one. Happy you are giving the CS2.4 a chance, I picked mine up in 2005 and have never desired anything but. What music are you listening to?
I listen to all sorts really, but if I had to try and narrow it down, I like Miles Davis (who doesn't right?), Pink Floyd, Harry Connick Jr., Norah Jones, Classical, Johnny Cash, Queen, Led Zepplin . . . well all sorts. I've just recently added a REL R-328 subwoofer that has really filled out the bottom end nicely and added a certain "body" to the music that is very, very nice as well.