Theta Intrepid

Just curious, but wouldn't a Dreadnaught II with two (or three) of the single channel modules and one (or two) of the two-channel modules be less expensive (and potentially as good sounding) as an Intrepid with two mono blocks? If you are springing for Theta on the center and surrounds, I would think that you would want to stick with them for the L/R. I am also considering a simliar setup, but while an Intrepid with a pair of Enterprise monoblocks would certainly sound incredible, it would be rather pricey. Plus, I would probably want more power for the center channel than the Intrepid could supply, so that means either another Enterprise (overkill, IMHO) or more likely a Dread instead of the Intrepid.

The nice thing with the Dreadnaught II is the ability to play in 2-channel mode, and send all of the current just to your main speakers. I am thinking of going the Dreadnaught II route now, and adding Enterprise or possibly even Citadel mono's somewhere down the road.

Tom.

I just heard both an Intrepid and a pair of Theta Enterprise monoblocks with my Thiel CS3.6's. Needless to say, I am very impressed. The Theta hype is real. The Enterprises did everything that you would expect amps at their price to do, and had a very sweet, musical sound. The Intrepid really blew me away, though. I cannot see how a 5-channel, 100watt amp, especially at its price point, can drive a difficult speaker like the 3.6's so well. It captured much of the overall sound of the Enterprises, but without the level of detail, control, imaging and soundstage that the Enterprises offer. I would think that a Dreadnaught II would be killer as well.

So, it sounds like we may be in similar boats. I bought the Intrepid, and I am now trying to decide between a two-channel Dreadnaught II or a pair of Enterprises. Decisions, decisions...

Tom.

From what you are describing, it seems that you are on the right track with Theta amplifiers. They seem to be quite excellent at each respective price point, and I think that they do a very good job of hitting your goals of "smooth, mellow, yet detailed and spacious", especially considering that they are solid state.

Tom.