I think I've made up my mind


After having auditioned the following :

1. Avantgarde Uno G2 + Audio Note SET amp/Pathos Twin Towers integrated amp
2. Magico V2 + Soulution 720 pre + 710 power amps
3. Sonus Faber Elipsa/Wilson Sasha + ARC Ref 3 + Ref 110
4. Thiel CS3.7 + Parasound JC1 pre + JC2 power amps

...and after weighing all factors like room interaction, degree of difficulty of setting-up, value for money, magazine reviews, and comments posted here and AVguide.com....

...the winner is: Thiel CS3.7 + Parasound JC1/JC2!

Now for the cables. MF and JA of Stereophile noted that the specs of Parasound show ultra-wide bandwidth and high-current capability which reminds me of Spectral amps. Therefore, would MIT Magnum MA speaker cables and interconnects be a good match? Anyone has any other suggestion? Thanks.
jtein

Showing 1 response by rtn1

As I said before, the Thiel's are great speakers. If you value soundstage, timbral accuracy, overall clarity, and value, then this is definitely a top choice.

If you have the opportunity to listen to the Avalon Indra before your purchase, that would be one last speaker to consider. The driver integration is more cohesive and refined on the Avalon. I went from Thiel to Avalon, and it is a very logical progression.

Also, don't rule-out a tubed preamp to go with your amp.

Finally, I would recommend you get some inexpensive cables to start. When the speakers are broken-in, demo several cables to fine-tune the sound. Cables are not a band-aid; they are the icing. Cables are very system and user dependent. You've learned that reviews are a guide and not the answer, so don't get caught-up in marketing concepts. Always use your ears when investing significant money.