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Amp for Thiel CS1.5?

Hi again folks,
Well I settled on purchasing a set of Thiel CS1.5 speakers to upgrade more to 2-channel from HT. I may live with my Outlaw 1050 powering them for a short time but know I'll need a separate amp from what I've read.

Thiel's website seems to strongly suggest getting an amp that will double the wattage as the impedence halves. Getting something close to this will probably narrow the field of contenders.

My biggest constraint is what I can spend on an amp right now. I can probably swing around $500-600 for the amp.

Any recommendations would be appreciated.

Just from reading I've wondered about a 70 or 100 watt from Classe, or that a Rotel might be a stepping stone until I can swing something nicer.

Thanks,
Chris
hi4head
elevick
2,638 posts
 
70 watts won't cut it!
These are great little floor standers that love power and can be hard to drive. My experiences with them left me with wanting a little more bass and softer in the highs. These are very "accurate" and a bright amp may not work well.
If I had to choose for your money, I'd look for an Aragon or a similar Class A rated solid state amp with "warmer" sound and built to withstand the speakers needs.
czbbcl's avatar
czbbcl
1,752 posts
 
Elevick

I agree thiels love good quality power and the more the merrier but for 500-600 hi4head is not going to get much. Even what I recommended is going to push his budget probably beyond what he has.

Chuck

Chuck
max_pain
32 posts
 
Try the Forte' Model 3(a-b, high bias), I saw one on AG about a week ago for about 365.00. It's the little brother to the Threshold. And a smoothy of an amp,for the price.Careful you run good cables though.THe Audioquest GBC which runs for 100.00 new off hcm audio.com. Is a decent budjet cable, ok bottom end but not great. I used a Forte' to power a pair of Thiel cs2's.There are plenty of good used amps you could choose from but for 365.00 if you can find it. THe forte' is a great buy. I wish I still owned one.you can't beat it for the amount your look'n to spend. It's a work horse of an amp 100wpc e-z!
unsound
7,341 posts
 
All good advise above. Other (perhaps not even as good) considerations include: Classe', Muse and PSE.
hi4head OP
20 posts
 
Thanks for the input folks.

Any thoughts on Anthem's older MCA 2? It is shown as being rated at 200/350 for 8/4 ohms. This doesn't quite meet Thiel recommendation for doubling when going to 4 ohms.

I'm unsuccessful so far tracking down the specs on units from PSE (Studio Mark IV) or from Muse.

Since I'm new at this in moving from a simple HT receiver setup, I'm unfamiliar with which amps would be "bright".

Thanks again,
Chris
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