A couple of notes...
With respect to my post earlier - I stand corrected. Serves me right for posting a response at 2 AM! MC652 was a typo. It's obviously MC602. And yes the MC202 does have autoformers although it is the only stereo amp from Mac that doesn't have the autoformers physically exposed (though the presence of multiple outputs taps is an indication that it is autoformer coupled)
And the MC6500 integrated does not have autoformers - the 6900 does (though they are not exposed, as with the 202) That is the main difference between the two although there are some other subtle differences. The Shahinians are tricky to drive but nowhere near as difficult or demanding as the Thiel's. The Dynaudio's are definitely tougher than the Shahinian's but the Thiel's still draw more current across the bandwidth.
Nevertheless - I still recommend an MC352. I just think you would be underdriving the Thiel's with anything less powerful in terms of current. Yes the 202 may have autoformers but it doesn't have the "oomph" of the 352. You can tell easily just by lifting up the 202 and the the 352. Then ask yourself which one stores more charge and delivers more current!
With respect to my post earlier - I stand corrected. Serves me right for posting a response at 2 AM! MC652 was a typo. It's obviously MC602. And yes the MC202 does have autoformers although it is the only stereo amp from Mac that doesn't have the autoformers physically exposed (though the presence of multiple outputs taps is an indication that it is autoformer coupled)
And the MC6500 integrated does not have autoformers - the 6900 does (though they are not exposed, as with the 202) That is the main difference between the two although there are some other subtle differences. The Shahinians are tricky to drive but nowhere near as difficult or demanding as the Thiel's. The Dynaudio's are definitely tougher than the Shahinian's but the Thiel's still draw more current across the bandwidth.
Nevertheless - I still recommend an MC352. I just think you would be underdriving the Thiel's with anything less powerful in terms of current. Yes the 202 may have autoformers but it doesn't have the "oomph" of the 352. You can tell easily just by lifting up the 202 and the the 352. Then ask yourself which one stores more charge and delivers more current!