Amp for Thiel CS6

The Rogue will be a high-risk experiment with the Thiel. It may work, or it may not. If you try it, be sure to report your findings.

Personally, I would buy a Pass XA100.5 or XA160.5. If those are too much, go with the X350.5 or the X260.5. Put the tubes in the preamp.

The typical amps to be mated with Thiel have already been mentioned in the post and the archives.

Good luck.

Droz, I understand your goal with the CS6s being increased bass control. These speakers are fully capable of very deep and dynamic bass response but they need to be fully controlled by an amp that can act as an unfazed current source down into the mid 2 Ohm range. This is a matter of physics. There are only a handful of amp designers and manufacturers that can meet this requirement, and, as Rtn1 puts it, these have well been mentioned in the above amplifier listings.

So again, it depends what you are trying to achieve, but I guarantee that the Rogue amps will not do to the Thiels what the Krell FPB series of amps can do for the Thiels, no matter how you slice it. I know, I have tried other amps with these speakers; they are electrically demanding and require stout power supplies that provide sufficient current at low impedances and that property cannot be afforded by tube designs. If you want the bass you cite, this is the direction, high current solid state, that you must go plainly and simply.

Stevecham,
Thanks for your input. One of the reasons that I have an interest in the Rogue Audio Zeus is that I have a Rogue Audio Cronus that I very much enjoy. Also, I do have a Thiel SS2 sub, although in my system it seems to add something more at higher volumes. Consequently, I still wonder whether the combination of the Rogue Audio Zeus, Thiel CS6, Conrad Johnson Premier 17LS preamp, and the Thiel subwoofer might give me the potential sonic benefits of tubes and maintain the low end. However, your points are well taken and I remain undecided. If I do decide to go the solid state direction, my main interests would be the Conrad Johnson Premier 350, the Pass Labs X350.5, and the Krell 300/400cx. I know Stevecham speaks very highly of the Krell/CS6 combination, but does anyone have any experience with the CJ Premier 350, Pass Labs, or the Rogue Audio Zeus and the Thiel CS6? Thanks for all of your help.

Droz, I just found this thread - the advice from Thiel owners is spot on. I drive 3.6's with Mcintosh 501 mono's. My final choice was between the Mac's and CJ 350 which btw, is a superb amp. I felt the Mac's were better, more control in the bass for sure and more tonally accurate and pleasing through the midrange. Both have great top end extension. I wanted the CJ to work since I have been using CJ preamps for many years.

I can tell you the difference between my former amp, Classe CA 200 and the Mcintosh mono's is night and day. Thiels are just a different speaker when driven with adequate solid state power.

Thanks for all of the input. I have now decided to go with a solid state amp, rather than the Zeus. Given my present preamp, room set up, cabinetry, etc. I think I will try to find a Conrad Johnson Premier 350 to upgrade my system. Thanks again to everyone for your valuable insights.