Thiel 2.3 amplification

I love my Thiel 2.3's with my pass x-350, Harm Tech Pro-9's and Pro-Silway's. These speakers do very well away from the side walls. The Pass Labs complement these speakers very well.

I auditioned the Transparent Cables and liked the pro-9's over the Transparent Cable. The only Transparent Cable model that bettered the pro-9's was the Opus model (25k). Not worth the 25k paid.

I'm using a McCormack DNA-1 (and a tube BAT VK-3i pre) to drive 2 2's.

For normal volumes, it sounds great! But either the amp or the speakers get rough at higher volumes. In other respects, I feel like I run out of gas with 185 respectable wpc in the McCormack long before the speakers are having difficulty.

By the way, the tube preamp REALLY helped tame the tweeter, but that probably isn't as much of an issue with the 2.3's.

I have 2.3's that I power with the MF A308cr separates, an upgrade of 450W>4 ohms from the MF A308 Integrated I had for about 5 months, rated at 300W>4 ohms. I had to do the upgrade; no matter what I listened to, classical to jazz to rock to electronica to whatever, the ease and fluidity of this combination made me constantly want a little more volume. By the time it'd get where I wanted it, peaks would cause the A308 Integrated to break up with a very loud TICK sound from one or both channels. I have to have music loud enough to cause a physical reaction from me to really submerse myself in it, and it took more than the Integrated's 300 watts to do it. But I have to tell you -- the combo of the MF A308cr separates and the 2.3's (with my Velodyne HGS-II 12" sub) is a remarkable experience to listen to, no matter the genre. If you get enough juice to your 2.3's, they can and will improve the quality of your life!

Esroberto

Great forum just signed on. This may be just the format for my dilemma.
There are no high-end audio establishments with in stock equipment in my area where I can go for demonstrations. Owning a pair of 2.3’s w/o proper electronics is presenting to be a problem. I auditioned them with the smaller MF integrated cr amp. The local MF dealer is getting in the 308 series integrated amp and CD player for me to audition. The problem here is although the 2.3’s will sound much better with the MF equipment than my run of the mill theater system currently pushing them, I still cannot make comparisons with other higher end components. My disposable income limits my capability of selling and re-purchasing equipment. My question is, how does the choke regulated 308 separates compare to the integrated 308 that is not choke regulated. I am open for suggestions. Can spend up to 6k on pre/power/cd, sacd/cables. I am not locked into purchasing MF equipment. What I do know is the Thiels are to stay, I love them.