Tube Amplifier for Thiel


I recently pick up a pair of Thiel CS3.6. As like many reviews online said, they are awesome speakers. I am using Musical Fidelity A5 int amp (200wpc @4 Ohms, 400wpc @8 Ohms) to drive them. I can't say the A5 is not good, but I kind of feel it not quite musical, crispy, fast... These seem to be the strengths I found in most tube amplifiers I have auditioned before. I am thinking of replacing the A5 with a tube int amp; however, I worry that normal tube int amps are not "powerful" enough to drive the big Thiel (I am a bass lover).

I currently have Prima Luna Dialogue 2, Cayin A-100T/A-70T (and probably VTL IT-85) on my list. I would appreciate if some one could comment on these choices. I also welcome any other tube/SS int amp suggestions (even tube pre/SS power amp) in that price range.

Thank you!
unjc

Showing 1 response by wynnytsky

CJ PV-12 + CJ EV2000 + CS3.6

I would offer 1600 on that CJ Evolution 2000 listing which expires April 13th.

I 2nd Jafant's recommendation for CJ.

I 2nd Usound's suggestion of using the long wall and the importance placed on a low impedance capable amp.

I 2nd Jdolgin's recommendation for pairing the 3.6s with a warm sounding preamp. 3.6s are bright and the PV-12 mitigates that. And use RCA Cleartops.

I 2nd Salectric statement about tubes having a bigger effect in the amp section than the preamp section. Unfortunately such an amp is prohibitively expensive for speakers as hungry as yours.

You are on the right track with tube-pre and ss-amp. The EV2000 is really a SS beast with some tube accoutrements. It's rated at 200wpc and idles at 210w (measured with a kilowatt). If you are drawing 300w at the wall than you are already above most people's comfort zone. If the music has heavy bass, the same volume will draw between 400w and 450w. The most I've pulled from the EV2000 was between 600w and 700w. You will have tinnitus before this amps fails.

I think you (like I) place high value on bass energy so the tube integrated amp is not really a candidate. For fun I tried my friend's 60wpc LA Audio amp and it bested my EV2000 in many ways, though it did not deliver the high energy nor the depth I get from the EV2000. When pushed the LA Audio's bass rolled off gracefully and it's treble clipped ungracefully. I would bet for many audiophiles the 60wpc tube amp would remain a fine match for the CS3.6s, so long as they stick to their vocals, classical, and jazz. Those listeners would actually be fine with expensive bookshelf speakers like Harbeth or B&W.