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What McIntosh Amp With Thiel 3.6 Speakers?

My current main system has a Mac MC-150 Amplifier and Thiel 3.5 speakers. While I enjoy the sound of my system; I've wanted to upgrade to the larger Thiel 3.6s for some time. Not only are the 3.6s a newer model; but from listening several times, I've concluded they have deeper bass and a somewhat more balanced sound. Now that I have the means to make this upgrade, I'm having some doubts if my MC-150 can properly drive the 3.6s. I would appreciate some feedback regarding a suitable Mac Amp to pair with the 3.6s. I should also mention that I mostly play classical and pop music at low to moderate levels; and my listening room is approx. 20 feet wide and 17 feet deep.
avideo
unsound
7,315 posts
 
Hackmaster, I don't think Thiel's nominal impedance rating is any more "virtually meaningless and certainly misleading" than most other speakers nominal impedance rating. In fact it's probably more meaningful and less misleading than most other speakers nominal impedance ratings for the very reasons you posted. Thiel readibly offers quite a bit of detail regarding the specs of their products including the minimum impedance loads.
hackmaster
102 posts
 
I'm not trying to beat up on Thiel - in fact you are quite right that they are very good about providing information on the minimum impedance of their speakers, etc. I wish more speaker manufacturers would provide this kind of information and would be as upfront about the requirements of the amplifier driving them.

My point was not really Thiel specific - but that in _general_ when you look at the nominal impedance it doesn't tell you anything, and many people will use that figure as a criteria in choosing an amplifier. You really can't do that... you need more information.
avideo OP
222 posts
 
I want to thank everyone for providing some very worthwhile information about the McIntosh amp I should be using to drive the Thiel 3.6s. In particular, I would like to thank Hackmaster for his suggestions; given that he is a McIntosh dealer and familiar with this speaker/amp combination. It looks like there will be a Mac MC352 in my future plans. Again, many thanks!
hassel
248 posts
 
One correction: The MC352 is not the smallest amp McIntosh makes that does have the autoformers. The smaller MC202 does have them as well, and delivers 200 Watts into any load of 2, 4 or 8 ohm. You might want to give them a try first. I do have a Mc Integrated MA6500 and drive Shahinian Diapason speakers, whih are a notoriously difficult load to drive. Even the Integrated handles them very well, with no lack of dynamics. I have listened to other difficult speakers, e.g. Dynaudio's new C2, driven by "my" MA6500, and by a MC202 and a MC352. The difference between the MC202 and the MC352 was very small.
aball
2,016 posts
 
Hackmaster - I am shocked at a McIntosh dealer saying that the MC352 is the smallest amp with autoformers! And the 652?? What the heck is that??? If it replaces the 602, very few would have heard it at this point in time. This is just amazing. I am constantly surprised at how many dealers know nothing about the equipement they sell. Oh well....
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