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

You can say that again 

@uthlidian   Here are a couple of suggestions: Willsenton R8 and Muzishare X7. If you can stretch your budget a little more, look into the PrimaLuna EVO 100 (amp or integrated). There are a number of favorable online reviews about these amps. Also, search Kevin Deal’s (Upscale Audio) discussion about the EVO 100 and explanation of tube watts versus SS watts on YouTube. Ok, these are all manufactured in China, but very high likelihood, so is the smart phone in your pocket.

I’m not familiar with those particular speakers, but there’s a very easy straightforward way to find out if either of these tube amps can work for you. Don’t rely on my opinion or anyone else. Order a Willsenton R8 of Muzishare X7 on Amazon, try it with YOUR speakers in YOUR room, and if you don’t like it, send it back within 30 days for a full refund … no B.S. “restocking” fee or anything. Upscale Audio allows a 60-day in-home trial, again with no restocking fee if you return it. What’s not to like about that?

Anyway, all the best, and happy listening

I have the Thiel 3.6's and their low sensitivity and low 2.5 to 3 ohm impedance makes it a challenge for a tube amp -- but the one saving grace is the impedance is flat throughout most of the frequency range. Tough to find an excellent high power tube amp with speaker protection without spending a fortune.

I ended up designing and building my own tube amp using the KT150 tube in ultralinear and triode. For speaker protection, I used a circuit breaker power switch tripped by high plate current from tube failure, loss of fixed bias or speaker terminal short, plus a time delay heater warm up.  I had a custom single tap 3-ohm output transformer rated at 70 watts (down to 27hz) wound by Jack Elliano at ElectraPrint. The amp uses balanced inputs only, with no phase splitters -- just a pair of 6SL7 mu-followers to swing the signal to the output tubes. Works extremely well with the 3.6's doing a decent job at the low frequencies and the overall dynamics preserved. I still use the Mark Levinsons when power is called for but for a lot of softer music the 60 watt KT150's fit the bill much much better

My experience with Thiel’s, is they need power, and if not they can sound cold and light. Aerial Acoustics speakers are the same; they need a big amp to open up. I’d look for the biggest solid state amp you can afford… that has quality. I’d say look for a Pass X250 but I don’t think you will find one for $2K. Parasound A21 might be a nice amp. 

uthlidian

Feel free to join us over on Thiel Owners thread. There are a few fans and owners of model CS 1.6 speakers on The Panel.

Happy Listening!