buget used amp ?

What’s budget? 200, 500, 1000? 

400 ish :) 500 max

thegoldenear
Adcom GTP-500ii, the amp will be power Thiel cs 1.6. The Pre Amp and Speakers will not be replaced.

 Thiel cs 1.6 they’re not the easiest to drive, especially around the 100-200hz area,
https://www.stereophile.com/images/archivesart/T16fig1.jpg
you still need a good gutsy amp.

I suggest a used John Curl designed Halo A23 $600-$2K
https://parasound.com/product-images/a23_high_angle_black.jpg
https://www.hifishark.com/search?q=Parasound+A23

Or if you can afford the bigger A21 $1k to $3k
https://parasound.com/a21.php
https://www.hifishark.com/search?q=Parasound+A21

They started making these back in 2003 hence the price spread,
these will drive those speakers effortlessly.

Cheers George

thank you George

What sound characteristics are most important to you?

thegoldenear OP117 posts 03-11-2021 1:56pmthank you George

yeah these ones right in your price range

https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649714902-parasound-a23-power-amplifier/

https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649711066-parasound-a23-stereo-amplifier/ 

https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649714167-parasound-a23-silver-gorgeous-double-boxed-shipping/
Cheers George

Nakamichi PA7. The Nak’s are nice old amps and it will drive your Thiel’s no problem. Your Adcom is going to set your bar, meaning the Nak is capable of more revealing preamps. Not sure you’ll find one for $500 but probably closer to budget than finding a Parasound A21 as mentioned which is a very nice and the better amp. The A23 isn’t as good as the A21 and I’m not sure it will drive your Thiel’s that great but with its limited power your Thiel’s may sound a little thin and bright... I do have experience with your 1.6’s.  Depending on your taste of music, a Aragon 4004 will open your Thiel’s up no problem. I wouldn’t call the Aragon the most refined amp, but it’s still very good, but a brute with authority. Your Adcom will probably sound really good with the 4004. Your 1.6’s are more efficient than the bigger Thiel’s, but being a 4 ohm I’d  find a brute to open them up. If you can find a McCormack DNA1, that would be a nice amp too.

Parasound if you can find one.

An Adcom. I have a 5800 that I retired quite a few year back, they will push a speaker and sound quite good. The 565 MB had leaky caps when they were fixed they were a beast. The 5800 or 5802 were a good sounding unit.. 4-700.00.
The 585s not so much..
5500 were great if they were reworked a bit..

I liked certain Adcoms, I had them all.. I used Mac tube gear as a pre amp, Mercy they would liven an Adcom right on up.. Amazing..

Respect

There are two Amber Series 70 amps available now on eBay. $325 + free shipping. $229.99 + $61.25 shipping. I own one myself! Outstanding SQ and able to deliver high current into low impedance speakers! An easy recommendation for you! Why pay more? The Amber amp was very favorably. reviewed by The Audio Critic. 

Hey Guys,

Thank you for all the replies I will be doing some research today.  Keep them coming.  Unfortunately due to COVID Ive had to sell all my McIntosh :( but what I find odd is since using the Adcom Pre with a GFA 5300 I have more volume and bottom end than ever before.  But I lost some soundstage and air hoping i can find a good band aid until I get back on my feet.

Belles 150A Hot Rod. You may have to be patient for one to come up for sale. Yes, I own one of these amplifiers and they offer excellent performance and value. One person's opinion...

Yup that was the deal with me. I went with higher wattage amps on the Mac and they would just open up.. A C20 is the bomb for a great sounding Adcoms.. They all needed tone control, BUT good tone control. C20s have a Bass contour, loudness and tone control. The tube roll is icing on the cake.

Until then

Class ds are gonna be boomy and gloomy with that pre. Better off with an A/B of some sort..

What about Crown for the power and bang for the buck. You can always move it to a bass position and even go with a little valve amp for the mids and highs later on.. Keep the cost down but a plan for the future without breaking the bank..

Respect..

what about a B&K Components - ST-140

I used that adcom pre with a B&K Audio ST-140 with fantastic results.

your budget if you can find one.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/B-K-BK-ST-140-power-amplifier/264764252558?hash=item3da52de18e:g:Ez4AAOSw8R...

I think it’s a bit of a shame to drive your excellent speakers with a $500 amp, but to each his own.  There’s a Bel Canto S300 available here for $750 that at least won’t offend your Thiels.  Best of luck. 

I would go with a B&K stereo 202plus, an adcom gfa 555 series 2, or a parasound hca 3500 for your thiels because the thiel speakers need some power to get a full sound out of them and all these amps will do that some more than others but all are quite capable performers.

I've been using a NAD 2100 with my Adcom GP555 ii preamp to power my Theil CS1 speakers for over 30 years with no problems.  I think you can find one for around $200. The more power the better though.

This won't be a popular recommendation but a practical one, try a Crown 1500, 525 watts at $450 new. I used one with ACI speakers, have A21 now with my Maggie's. Your speakers need power and you are on a budget. 

I would add Parasound HCA 2200 mk2 to the list.
Also, there is PAS 2002PCA, sold new by thomannmusic.
It’s a PA amp, speakon and xlr connections only, still I tried it on the account of the positive user reviews, and I kept it. Not as powerful and warm (excessively warm?) sounding as HCA 2200 2, still a very capable amp (NB: it’s got no feet, and it’s bright blue).

dougm5740: that's a Crown XLS1502. It is an 8.6 lb powerhouse! If I didn't already have twenty amps on hand I might buy one to try on the DQ10's!

Again thank you guys for all the feedback it helps alot. 

I wanna added some fuel to the fire here.

Is it possible that changing my rca cable from my pre to my amp might open things up a little?