2. amps-preamps
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Where do I start-amp or speakers ?

While in the midst of downsizing I sold all my gear: Krell monos, Thiel CS6’s, Thiel 2.4’s, EAD Powermaster 2000, Thiel MCS1, etc.
I am now left with a headphone system based on the entry level Schitt headphone amp, Freya preamp,& a very nice Vinyl NIrvana Thorens 125 turntable,
So how’s that working out for you, you ask? Not so well. I need speakers & amp!
 I went from 2900 sq ft. To 1600 sq ft; a 25x24 room to an 18 x 16 room (high 20-24 ft cathedral ceiling, though, at least.)
I’m now on the way to build a new system , one component at a time; Ceiling is 4K per unit. Every time I see a nice amp, then I see a fine pair of speakers. Back and forth. Do I start with an amp or with speakers? Input, input........
michaeljbrown
wtf's avatar
wtf
307 posts
 
I think it's a good idea to get the speakers sorted out first. Say, for example, you find a nice efficient speaker which needs only a few wpc to make them sing (i.e. Zu, Tekton, Omega) - this gives you amp options which would never work with power/current-hungry inefficient speakers (i.e., Magnepan, etc.). 
timlub
2,039 posts
 
@michaeljbrown 
It really depends on your experience.  If you are comfortable with enough equipment and know the sound of many components,  start shopping,  when you find a value out there that you know you will love, snatch it up.  If you are not comfortable with that,  your safest path is to start the yellow brick road to speakers. Once you find those, search for an amp that complements your Freya and speakers.  Even that can be a problem...If you know that you'd like to try tubes in an amp for instance.... a fair amount of speakers are not tube friendly.  So,  a high current solid state amp is a safe bet for almost any speaker... You've got some homework to do. Good Luck.  Tim 
atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
11,644 posts
 
The first thing you have to sort out is what kind of amp you like- generally, tube or solid state.

From there you make you speaker choice- not the other way around! Many speakers don't play nice with tubes and some speakers don't do so well with solid state. If you start with the speaker, you may be forced to work with an amp you don't like.

If you've not heard a good tube amp, and so were only considering solid state, you might give a tube amp an audition, just to see what you think. This potentially can save you a lot of $$$ down the road.
soix
8,939 posts
 
+1 atmasphere.  Obviously you're a Thiel fan (so am I), but have you heard other speakers out there?  Others I like right up there with Thiel are Vandersteen, Joseph Audio, ProAc, Silverline, and Usher.  Maybe this would be a good opportunity to explore other options if you haven't already?  That said, a no brainer would be to stick with Thiel, although at some point finding replacement parts might be a concern.  You still have a pretty good sized room, and I couldn't help but notice there's a pair of CS6 and CS7 available here now in your price range.  Just sayin'.  Also some Joseph Audio Profiles available here in your price range that may be worth a look if you want smaller floorstanders.  Best of luck. 
jafant
18,995 posts
 
michaeljbrown
you sold your CS 2.4 loudspeakers? Which brand (s) are you considering now?
Happy Listening!
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