Attention Thiel CS3.7 owners


I am searching for the right amp for these speakers and was hoping to hear from as many 3.7 owners as possible regarding what amp you are using, why you like it and which ones you have not liked. Thanks in advance for your help with my quest..

V.
vhiner

Showing 4 responses by james63

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.
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.
Alonski,

Interesting, I have the 2.4s now. I have been going back and forth between the Revel Studio 2 and Thiel 3.7s. I have heard the Salon 2 and 3.7 a good number of times.

Anyway, back on topic I don't think you need 375 watts unless you listen very loud. You just need an amp with stable current output. I have heard the 3.7 on tubes (150ish watts worth) but it was a little boring for my tastes. I listen to hard rock mostly (some audiophile stuff ) and value bass impact and tend to like amps with a high damping factor.

Honesty, I have really enjoyed class D amps because they handle the bass so well. However I don't know that I would recommend them to some one that listens to jazz and classical (I don't) because you give up some of the cleanness in the highs.