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Good upgrade amp for my Thiel 3.6s

My apologies if this has been pondered already. I did a quick search of the site for 3.6s and didn't find a similar thread.

I'm looking for opinions on what amp would seriously upgrade my sound from where it is currently. I have a KSA-150 driving the 3.6s.

I've heard people say that 3.6s can sound even better with more power and a dealer recommended 200W/channel as a minimum for them.

He was showing me the Classe Cam350s. Are monoblocks the way to go, or is there a killer stereo amp out there that's not in the price leagues of Boulder?

Obviously, I'm sure there's plenty of great choices, but I'd like to keep costs somewhat reasonable. I know the Classes retail for $7K for the pair. I was hoping to stay at $4K or under, but won't rule out the 350s if they really make a noticeable difference.

Thoughts?
justin2468
justin2468 OP
15 posts
 
Any opinions on sticking with Class A solid-state circuitry vs. tubes with the 3.6s? There's a dealer near me who's selling a pair of Audio Research M300 monoblocks 300wpc.

I like what I've heard about Threshold. There's a recording engineer I was talking to who has the Threshold S1000 monoblocks in his studio. He loves them. Now if I could only find them somewhere.

Any stores that sell a lot of used gear that anyone can recommend? Preferably not too far from Mass.?
newbee
4,767 posts
 
justin, either amp would power your thiels to your hearts content. you will have the classic ss/tubes question to resolve however. you will give up some of the airiness of tubes with the threshold - you will also give up the not inconsiderable expence of maintenance of the m300. if you already have a tube front end i'd go with the m300. if you have solid state i'd stick with the threshold.
justin2468 OP
15 posts
 
Thanks for your advice Newbee. I do have a solid-state preamp. The Adcom GFP-750.

Just had a dealer recommend the Conrad-Johnson MF2500 to me. Actually I was calling him based on an earlier recommendation for the Plinius. He told me was phasing out the Plinius line as they're not selling that well. The CJ sounds like a good deal. $3500 list and I've seen it selling here for around $2K. Doesn't appear to have balanced inputs though. He also recommended the Krell KAV-2250. I heard the Krell before and wasn't impressed. I'd rather keep my KSA-150 than buy the newer one.

Some quick reviews I saw of the 2500 were all favorable, some even saying it beats the Levinson No. 335.
newbee
4,767 posts
 
personally, i wouldn't buy any of the solid state amps except the threshold without listening first (because i'm familiar with it), and i would certainly want to hear the plinius - from what i have read and been told your can get a 250IV in your price range used. it clearly has the current and power you want. sonically i suspect it will warm up the tone of your speaker/pre-amp combo somewhat if thats of interest to you
davewavaolcom
193 posts
 
When originally auditioning Thiel 2.3's w/a krell 500 watt integrated- sounded ok. Then I tried Pass Labs x-150 -WOW is all I can say - match made in heaven. I now own Pass Labs x-250 x-1.

Must audition
Best of luck
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