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Class D amp driving Thiel

I was honing in on a 2 channel system and had seriously narrowed down the contenders until last Saturday. After not being impressed with a pair of B&W CM7's I was encouraged to listen to a set of Thiel 1.6.

It was amazing. Driven by a Bryston amplifier they had detail and precision with beautiful tonality. Yes, they did lack bass under 50 hz. But completely different and world's better than the Thiel's I owned and powered with tubes years ago. So now I have to rethink things. I have only a small shelf for the SB3 and amplifier and can't fit (or afford) anything above 30 lbs or 5 inches tall.

Maybe a second hand Krell 400xi would work but Krell's rap is that they can be bright and fatiguing. And I can't do anything bigger or costlier. While the Naim forum has good reports of Thiel's being driven by even a Nait 5i I am a little cautious based on my previous experience. As I learned the hard way you have to muscle up on Thiel's or they sound bright and nasty.

So, the thought of a class D amp came to mind. Small, light, and powerful. Though I haven't even heard one before (hard to find them in Chicago, believe it or not) my interest is piqued. But would it be up to driving the load I am contemplating without getting bright or harsh? Any thoughts but more importantly experiences are appreciated.
wdrazek
jaybo
4,478 posts
 
i think the bryston would be the best match of all you've named. old school and balanced.
wdrazek OP
100 posts
 
Drubin: Thanks for sharing your experience. The 102 looks interesting. Did you use that or the 201 (or some other model)? I'll need to listen again to the 1.6 to see how I feel about its bass performance. Not that I'm a bass freak but it's always been my feeling that 42 hz (the bottom note of a bass guitar) is the least extension I would be comfortable with.

Narrod: I humbly disagree with you on Thiel. My earlier experience was negative but properly driven I found a lot to like. To each his own.

Jaybo: I liked the Bryston a lot. Unfortunately, it's $3k second hand. I'm not ready to go there. The B60 might work but it's only 60 per side.
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drubin
3,240 posts
 
I used the 201s, but the 102 would work with the 1.6 I think. There are also other Class D choices: Nuforce, Channel Islands, PS Audio, etc.

The 1.6 doesn't go low but the bass it has is superb.
getheleadout
144 posts
 
Get a set of Channel Islands D200s.

Buy them from Musicdirect and you'll get a 30 money back gaurantee.

That's how I bought mine. Needless to say, once I heard them they weren't getting them back.

I've had them for about two years now, and find I have never even considered attempting to find something better.

For me that's saying alot...
dezyrae
17 posts
 
I hear Bel Canto ref 1000 & M300 driving 2.4. THey sound excellent, wide image, tight deep bass great mid range. I have never herd the Thiels sound that dynamic.
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