I would suggest a Pass X250 or 350 you chose either a .5 or .8 based on budget.
Chuck
Chuck
Thiel CS3.6 and PrimaLuna
I have a pair of Thiel CS3.6 speakers and a Primaluna Dialogue Premium HP Amplifier going thru a Mytek Brooklyn DAC/Pre. The sound is really good, but I know the Thiel's can do much better. I'm curious to see if folks would recommend going to a different amp (high current SS) or moving to a different set of speakers. Either option is viable, just curious to see what folks think.
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The Theil websites says they need 100-500wpc. Your Primaluna is 70-96 wpc depending on configuration. So, you are really at the bottom of the spectrum. Adding in the 2 ohm minimum of the Theil's and you are taxing the amp. You could try a pair of Zero Autoformers to help with the low impedance, but a higher rated amp is probably the best way to go. Those Theil's were one of the last of Jim's designs, so I would probably keep them. If you did want to change, I would recommend Vandersteen-both use time and phase alignment, and results in a similar sound reproduction. For amps, you could get an old McCormack DNA-1 and have Steve upgrade it. (Buy a non working unit and save more. Steve guts the amp and installs a new board, so it doesn't need to be working). For Tube amps I would recommend Atma-Sphere. Here is one review with Theil speakers; http://www.atma-sphere.com/Reviews/TAS-1991-MA-1.html Bob |
I own the Thiel CS 3.6 speakers and you don't want to drive them with minimal power, because they won't sing. Plus, you'll get distortion if you push it. I first went the tube route, and today would go with a quality SS amp and perhaps an equally good tube preamp. I'm in the hunt myself for a proper amp for my Thiels for a system to be set up in my basement family room. Either way you go, your amp and your speakers must be optimized for one-another. A lesson that took me too long to get right. Kenny |
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