Digital Amps vs Solid State Amps

This is just a comment related to your current speakers, the 3.6s need alot of power and Class A power cost alot of $$$. From a pure finacial point of view, I think you will find it easier to find good sounding Class D at a lower price, but not sure I would not go A/B if I wasn't going to use Class A SS.

I think the combinations of Thiel and Digital amps is an audio disaster waiting to happen.While the Thiels are amongst the most accurate loudspeakers around,the sound tend to be bright .I have found the old Class A Mark Levinsons to be amongst the best mate for Thiels speakers.

Class D amps are not for me.They are just too mechanical and they tend to strip the music out of its soul.Class D amp is a compromised design,in a big way,and i do not think at the moment ,anyone has figured out how to solve the problems of noise it generates.It is not something that I enjoy listening for a long time,i develop listeners fatigue quite easily with classs D amp.If you must get a class D amp ,gop with Spectron.This is the only class d amp that I could listen for more than a week

Faf,

What amps do you like?

Thiel and IcePower might work fine I think depending on user preference. BC ref1000m2 is not bright at all, in fact it is the least bright of any amp I have used. It is highly damped which might not be optimal for all speakers or for all personal tastes (what is?). A somewhat warmer tube pre-amp and/or digital source might be a useful ingredient to consider for many for a Thiel Icepower combo.

If you read fafafion's posting history over the last couple years, you'll note he rails on Class D amps consistently.

My money is on the bet that he's had very limited experience with some of the top Class D products introduced to the market over the last 3 years.

Even the most stubborn/stodgy/traditional solid state listeners acknowledge that Class D technology has advanced at an extremely rapid pace. Some of the stuff is scary good.

Dealer disclaimer

Bill, any you would put up against an XA.5, where size and heat (possibly $$$) are not an issue?