Attention Thiel CS3.7 owners

Yyzsantabarbara,

As Mr. Tanner noted in the audiocircle thread, the 3.7's pass along whatever is fed to them....with NO interpretation. This is a double-edged sword, so I am being very careful in my decision making process.

I thought Mr. Tanner implied that the introduction of the squared series allowed more filter down of the 28's sound. That aside, I heard a 4BSST2 with some Maggie 3.7's last week and I thought it was a bit "cold" in presentation but the session was not long and the Maggies have their own issues. I simply can't afford the 28's unless they decide to double my salary at work. That'll be the day.

Bryston is too lean/forward for thiels for my tastes (own Theil 2.4CS) but they are good amps. I would looks for amps with a warm rich sound.

As good as the 3.7s are I would take the TADs (never heard them). They have a similar design principle and have a cost no object approach.

I wonder where all the actual 3.7 owners are? Guess they're happily enjoying their systems. ;-)

Not sure how many owners are really on here. At just shy of $14,000 there are a lot of speakers out there. I demoed them a number of time with a number of amps (Audio Research, Classe, Musical fidelity). They are very nice but I just wanted more bass and could not justify spending the money (my 2.4s are surprisingly good/close).

I had Thiel 2.4, Sophia 3, 802diamonds all in the same room/system for comparison and spent a few days listening at a local dealer.

In the end I liked the Revel Salon 2s the best (different dealer) but never bought them, intended too.... Such is life I guess.

But back to the subject thiels are truth tellers and can get lean in a hurry so amp matching is very important. Make sure know the frontend before you judge thiel good or bad.

...well I have to apologize. I ment to post these comments in the other thread asking about TAD vs Thiel... Sorry.

So to answer your question. I have heard the thiel 3.7 on a few amps.

Mcintosh MC252. Poor bass control and did not inspire me. Maybe a bigger Mac would have worked.

Very pricy Audio Research ($35,000+) dull, I could have fell asleep. It just lacked dynamics. The sound stage was nice and details good but no slam, no life. I felt the same way when it was hooked up to the Sophia 3 and I know it is a common pairing.

Classe, can't remember the model but it was around 400 watts. It had good body and texture. Lacked some of the fine detail of the AR but had more life for my modern/rock music.

I would try to demo Ayre gear or Pass Labs if you have the money.