Thiel Owners

jafant
I'd like to add my name to the list of folks who've expressed their thanks for this thread. This is probably the most knowledgeable and committed group of Thiel owners anywhere-and the fact that there have been no trolls or troublemakers in this group is some kind of magic.
Happy Anniversary!

@jafant 
unsound is steering you away from Ayre because it doesn’t vomit 2 ohm watts like a moon rocket on the Stereophile test bench.

The CS2.4 presents a ~3 ohm load from 400-20k cycles. Two speakers need ~ 50 Watts to produce 90 dB at the listening position 9’ away (and that’s with a steady test signal, not music). Your DX-5 gain is a bit different than my QB-9 but not hugely so. In my system, clipping onsets around 97 dB with a typical CD. But I rarely ask for peaks north of 90 dB and most of my listening is 75-85 dB depending on genre and my mood. I’m probably only asking for 2-25 W for 90+% of my listening. The AX-5 is rated at 250 W into a 4 ohm load, Ayre doesn’t give a 2 ohm rating. That said, if you *do* listen at very high SPLs, the AX-5 probably won’t get you there. 
But before you believe me or unsound, listen for yourself, not via Stereophile measurements. 

@jafant 

With my particular combination of gear and assuming a typical CD, clipping will onset at an indicated “40” on the AX-5. I usually listen at about 30 for rock, maybe 35 if I’m extra rowdy. But most of my listening is 20-28 indicated, even less when I’m sharing the house.

The MX-R is far more powerful . . . and expensive.