Tube Amp recommendation for Thiel CS1.6 under $2k


Noticed a lot of tube amps have low wattage ratings and my Thiels say 50-300W.

Have a 24’ x 18’ and looking for a recommendations or thoughts on best integrated or power amp (ideally vintage) to drive them nicely.

 

uthlidian

I had those speakers in my system and would not recommend tubes to drive them and especially not in a room the size of yours (Thiels in general are not tube-friendly speakers).  I drove them with both a robust 100Wpc (roughly doubles into 4 Ohms) and 200Wpc amp and the 1.6es opened up more with the more powerful amp.  If anything I’d go with a hybrid integrated like a Unison Unico, etc.  Just my experience FWIW, and great speakers BTW.

@uthlidian 

Go to " Thiel Owners " on this forum and ask this question .

soix is correct , especially with your budget .

 

I agree with @soix . Tube power is not likely to be the best choice for money spent on these speakers. Those power reccomendations are for standard 8 Ohm power ratings with the assumption that the amps can double down with impedance. As a bare minimum in a small room I would suggest ( as 3 Ohm ratings are the exception ) 200 Watts into 2 Ohms, and in a room of your size; double that or more. The power rating into actual impedance is more important than the 8 Ohm rating. Be leary of amps suggesting "stable into X impedance". Such a statement only means that the amp won't go into oscillation when presented with such a load. It does not suggest power output or distortion levels there.

Thiel CS1.6 loudspeaker Measurements | Stereophile.com

These are lovely speakers for smaller rooms. You can probably get more from larger Thiels in your room.

Why people looking for tube amp for Thiel??

Perhaps to compromise performance

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