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What McIntosh Amp With Thiel 3.6 Speakers?

My current main system has a Mac MC-150 Amplifier and Thiel 3.5 speakers. While I enjoy the sound of my system; I've wanted to upgrade to the larger Thiel 3.6s for some time. Not only are the 3.6s a newer model; but from listening several times, I've concluded they have deeper bass and a somewhat more balanced sound. Now that I have the means to make this upgrade, I'm having some doubts if my MC-150 can properly drive the 3.6s. I would appreciate some feedback regarding a suitable Mac Amp to pair with the 3.6s. I should also mention that I mostly play classical and pop music at low to moderate levels; and my listening room is approx. 20 feet wide and 17 feet deep.
avideo
ljgj
955 posts
 
The 352 is a great amp and I agree it is a good choice here and anything above in the Mac line would be slight overkill but certainly if money is no object than the 602 would be nice.
zaikesman
3,017 posts
 
Symphony Sound - Just a note: The Thiel's impedance is not "eratic", it's just low - under 3 ohms through most of the range, about double that in the low bass. The curve is actually quite flat, and the electical phase characteristics are fairly benign. But you are probably right about what to use.
unsound
6,115 posts
 
Zaikesman, at the risk of being the victim of your wit for repeated offense, I belive the word eratic was used in the less frequently used sense of deviating from standard. Your point is well made and I'm sure you clarified this too many who otherwise may have been misled.
pardales
652 posts
 
I own a pair of Thiel CS 2.3's, and drive them with Mac's MA 6900 integrated amp. It has autoformers. I support the above suggestion to use one of the Mac amps that has autoformes with the bigger Thiel's -- In general, I find the Thiel - Mac combo very satisfying.
zaikesman
3,017 posts
 
OK, here's my totally wit-less response. ;^)

First of all, we both spelled the word 'erratic' incorrectly, which Symphony Sound did not. My apologies if I caused you any erraticism in this regard.

Secondly, there is a 'standard' impedance? Hey, everything's nominal, as they say, but you are correct inasmuch that Thiels are lower than most, and that the same may have been Symphony's point. (And, of course, you are right concerning my brilliant public service.)

P.S. - Try for another repeat, however, and you will be duly skewered. :-)
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