Attention Thiel CS3.7 owners

I looked at it... I would jump on that one, it seems in good shape and it will certainly drive the 3.7s! It's rare to see that model for sale, it won't last long.

Thought I'd give everyone an update. I have purchased a mint-condition Conrad-Johnson Premier 350SA amplifier. It is, without a doubt, the best amplifier I have heard with the CS 3.7's. It bested Bryston, Sanders and Classe's latest stereo amps by a clear margin.

Everyone who's heard it in my system is impressed with the bass, soundstage and layered sound stage. I suppose it helps that this amp is mated with a CJ CT5 preamp. To my ears, the 350 SA lives up to its legend. Martin Collum and Jeff Dorgay are spot on about its strengths and prowess. At 600 watts into 4 ohms, it is utterly undaunted by the 3.7's and manages to lift their considerable load with musical ease. Bass is deep and taut and highs are silky and seductive. One friend said, "I never knew what the Thiels were capable of until now." The 350 doesn't sound exactly like tubes, but it's 95 percent there. It definitely belongs on the "must try" list for 3.7 owners. Some at Conrad Johnson have said the 350 could not be made today for less than $15K. I have no way of knowing if that's true, but it sure beats the new $9K amps I put up against it. Must be all that Teflon!

I never could audition a VAC or the Hegel 30. Maybe one day...

Thanks to everyone for your suggestions.

Congratulations Vhiner!

Feels so good to arrive at a decision with all that excitement and no regrets, doesn't it?

Wish I could hear your system, it "sounds" wonderful.

Enjoy your Teflon-induced aural bliss. These are the moments we live for as audio nut cases! Well, I do anyway.

Alón

Thanks, Alon! This *is* one of those moments that make it all worthwhile.
One interesting thing I forgot to mention was a very intriguing discovery I
made during this whole process that might be of interest to those who are
looking for a "giant killer" amplifier.

A friend of mine loaned me his Hafler 500 which had been modified by
John Hillig of Musical Concepts. This amplifier, which retails for well under
$2500 came in second to the 350! It has a midrange to die for and it lent an
incredible musicality to everything I threw at it. It won't win a beauty contest
(the exterior looks like an army foot locker) but I would have started looking
for one to buy if the 350 had not swept me off of my feet.

For those who have $10k tastes but are on a $2000 budget, I recommend
contacting John at Musical Concepts. His gear is truly magical. If you find
one of his modified amplifiers, I'd snap it up.

I'm most likely the only one on this forum who has demoed up to 53k worth of SS amps on Thiel CS 3.7s.

None of them are able to outperform a VAC Master preamp paired with Jadis Monoblocks on this particular Thiel model.

All demoes are done at my home, not at dealer's or at shows.

 

 

...also listen to Ayre electronics .....they walk in perfect balance between tube and transistor....also, great company