2. amps-preamps
  3. 1434677522

Help choosing an amp for Thiel 2.7s

I just upgraded from Thiel 2.2s to Thiel 2.7s and my source is both vinyl (VPI Scout) and digital (PeachTree Idac) through a Classe Model 6 Preamp and B&K EX 442 AMP – both recently recapped. I am looking to replace either the amp or both amp and pre-amp. My first trial was with a pair of Bel Canto REF500M. In many ways they sound amazing – tighter bass, more extended highs, much blacker background. My only hang-up is that they seem to lack some of the body (midrange presence) of the B&K. As an example when playing Stevie Ray Vaughn my daughter asked why the guitar had moved so far to the background. Is there any way to have my cake and eat it too – or are these necessary trade-offs at my budget -- $5000 for the amp?

Any advice would be very appreciated
kadlec
jafant's avatar
jafant
20,476 posts
 
Hello Jim,

the Threshold should be a fine match. Seek out a T-200 or T-400 for good measure. You may want to have it serviced and replace critical capacitors throughout. Same thing for an older Krell power amp.

There is a wealth of info over on my thread- Thiel Owners.
Keep me posted and Happy Listening!

JA FANT
solobone22
88 posts
 
A little late to this thread.

I picked up a pair of the Bryston 7BST amps and am running them in parallel mode to drive a pair of 2.7's with excellent results.  Previously I was using a Bryston 3B NRB and the difference between that and the 7B monoblocks is striking.
jafant's avatar
jafant
20,476 posts
 

solobone22


Thank You for re-viving this thread. It would be interesting to learn if kadlec is still enjoying his CS 2.7 loudspeakers?


Happy Listening!

gbkadlec's avatar
gbkadlec
7 posts
 
Jafant
I ended up with a Conrad Johnson MF2500AIt is a good match -- enough for me to stop thinking about it for the past 3.5 years -- though now that this thread has been resurrected I can't help but wonder how a Pass amp might sound.
Best
rosami
66 posts
 
FWIW after-the-fact, I’ve been driving my CS3.6s and 2.4s with a Naim NAP300 amp with excellent results.  This isn’t a monster amp and doesn’t double-down, so I think it’s a mistake limiting the search for the “perfect amp” for driving Thiels to the “monsters” — FWIW. 
More to discover