2. amps-preamps
  3. 1238554044

Tubes or S.S. for Thiel CS 2.4?

Hi all.....I was hoping you all could give your opinions about a seeking out a new amplifier for the Thiel CS 2.4s. I'm currently building a house which will have a dedicated library/listening room about 18 X 23 feet. It will have hardwood floors, but plenty of bookcases/furniture. I currently am using a Classe CA-100 in a smallish room, and they sound great. I don't listen very loud, but this will be a new, larger room and the one component I would like to move on to is a new amplifier.
My thoughts/questions were concerning power output of a lower wattage tube amp vs. a larger solid state amp. Ideas running around in my head were amps in the price ranges of the McIntosh MC 352/MC 401, Classe CA-300, etc etc while tube amps I've thought about inc. those like BAT VK 75se, McIntosh MC275 etc.. in those power/price ranges.

What do you all think? Tube or S.S. for these speakers?
audioguy3107
rtn1
535 posts
 
SS: Pass X350.5, BAT VK600, McIntosh
Consider tube preamp and gold cables with SS.

Tubes: BAT VK150SE perhaps.

Are you thinking of adding a sub?
aball
1,994 posts
 
MC352 would be my choice hands down. I heard one on a pair of 2.3s and it was fantastic. Mc and Thiel have some sort of special synergy that is hard to come by otherwise.

Arthur
mmike84
309 posts
 
Thiel and Jeff Rowland showed together at the latest CES.
irish65
170 posts
 
Pass Labs X350.5 or Krell FPB 400 cx should be at the top of the list.
stevecham
3,298 posts
 
I have the 2.4s and they are wonderful speakers. I can't make up my mind as I switch back and forth, depending on my mood, between CJ CAV50 tube and CA200 solid state control amps. I tend to favor the CA200 simply because it has 185 WPC and provides better top and bottom extension and dynamics, but there are times when those tubes provide that certain sweetness. They are not hard to drive but do respond to high quality, high power and I agree the Krell 400cx would probably work very well. Now if I can just get off my butt and hook this pairing up I'll comment on that set up too. After 6 months they are still breaking in and getting better so please be patient with them regardless of what you settle on for an amp. The bass especially has gotten much better, fuller, clearer and more extended.
More to discover