Thiel Owners

A real problem with Thiel speakers is how ruthlessly they reveal upstream problems. That's not to say they themselves might be the problem, but . . . A tell-tale is that if you can extract excellent or trouble-free performance from an excellent source, then your problem might lie elsewhere. Why I mentioned cable is that Thiel's current-draw exacerbates cable problems. Dealers and/or direct sale manufacturers such as Morrow tend to offer generous cable comparison schemes. I suggest long pre to power amp interconnects with short source and speaker runs, especially if you now have something different than that. When you don't have a clue, mix it up and see what floats.

Dsper...what was your experience with Hegal amplification?  To ameliorate your excess high energy at high volumes have you experimented with sitting a little bit farther out from your speakers? In doing so you may want to eliminate any toe in which should help some with the brightness at high volumes. I’ve been using an Aesthetix Atlas for the past six years on my 2.4’s -- the Atlas has a beautifully sweet top end. I also have tubes on the front end - an Aesthetix Janus preamp. Have you considered class D? The last generation Bel Cantos (the Ref500Ms and the Ref1000Ms) sound great on our speakers with absolutely no harsh top end at high volumes. I do NOT recommend the new Bel Canto Ref 600s which sounded very recessed in the upper midrange to me. I’ve heard the Bryston 4b3 which is good but also a bit harsh in the highs at high volumes. I’ll be trying (should receive it tomorrow...color me excited!) a Pass X150.8 and will report my results here. If its harsh at high volumes I may try tubes as well, more specifically ARC and VAC and may try Ayre as well. I’ll report all my findings. My room is pretty well damped so the room is NOT adding to the problem of too much high end energy and frankly I notice it only at high volumes (on the Bryston 4b3 for instance). Keep us all posted on what you try and find out. As far as cables go I’m using Synergistic Research Element Series Cooper and Tungsten throughout and find them a stunning match.

Happy Friday - All.

Have to agree with tomthiel.

(f you can place the amplifier somewhere between or very near the speakers, do so. Run short 12 or 10 gauge equivalent cables to the speakers. Run either balanced or unbalanced lines from the preamp to the amplifier. (Balance preferred over long distances).

Works great for my 2.7s. I have a 25-foot run between preamp and amplifier. 

Note: I'm not specifying any particular cable manufacturer. The trick is to get large diameter copper cabling. 16 gauge cables are a No-No, as you'l be putting several hundred watts through to the Thiels.  

Just my experience  YMMV