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Tubes or S.S. for Thiel CS 2.4?

Hi all.....I was hoping you all could give your opinions about a seeking out a new amplifier for the Thiel CS 2.4s. I'm currently building a house which will have a dedicated library/listening room about 18 X 23 feet. It will have hardwood floors, but plenty of bookcases/furniture. I currently am using a Classe CA-100 in a smallish room, and they sound great. I don't listen very loud, but this will be a new, larger room and the one component I would like to move on to is a new amplifier.
My thoughts/questions were concerning power output of a lower wattage tube amp vs. a larger solid state amp. Ideas running around in my head were amps in the price ranges of the McIntosh MC 352/MC 401, Classe CA-300, etc etc while tube amps I've thought about inc. those like BAT VK 75se, McIntosh MC275 etc.. in those power/price ranges.

What do you all think? Tube or S.S. for these speakers?
audioguy3107
audioguy3107 OP
40 posts
 
I may add a subwoofer in the future, but right now, a new amplifier is probably the first step. I know listening volumes don't tell the whole story, but a lower power amp can be acceptable if you don't crank it up. I currently have a Classe CP 47.5 preamp, and my normal listening level has the vol. usually no higher than 5.0 to 6.0 (I think it goes up to 30 on the scale). Basically, I don't listen very loud at all....that's what I was thinking when I brought up the tube amp question. I just can't help but wonder what I may be missing with tubes since most of my listening people would think is really on the quiet side. The other reason is that since this will be a new, bigger room, I'm wondering if my habits will change?
rtn1
535 posts
 
I asked about the subwoofer, because it may fill the room better and relieve some of the power requirements on the 2.4. Perhaps the SS3 with its built-in amplifier will allow you to continue with your current Classe amp and to experiment with some tube amps.

Thiel is usually very helpful with these type of questions.

Good luck.
tom_hankins
928 posts
 
I've had the chance to hear the 2.4s with several amps. I prefer the krell, followed by Ayre, Mac and Pass.
curio's avatar
curio
305 posts
 
Absolutely solid State amps!
I suggest the Parasound Halo JC1s
johnmcalpin
58 posts
 
I have used 2.3s for several years now. My current listening room is 16x21 with two large openings.

I have used the Bryston 4B-ST and the Plinius SA-102. From the Plinius I went to the Rogue Zeus and haven't looked back. The Zeus now has KT-90 output tubes and was rated at slightly over 276 watts when last tested up at Rogue.

Tubes or SS, as long as you have quality power and are happy with upstream components and other gear, you'll enjoy yourself.
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