Upgrade Thiel CS3.6 or McIntosh AMP

Hi dnanstad,

I have had Thiels (CS5i and 2 2) for 25 years and suggest a high-current SS amp of 100W or more that doubles down all the way to 2 ohms for your 3.6s (think old Classe DR-9, Fifteen, or Twenty Five or Krell FPB-300/600). Put the tubes in the preamp or CDP and don’t forget the importance of great cables.

Best,
Dave

By all accounts (including my own experience) the DR-10 was the goat of the Dave Reich-designed Classe amps and the later CA series did not have the magic of the Reich designs (Reich left Classe after the DR series), thus my recommendation of specific Classe models.

salectric, I notice from your System page that you primarily listen to acoustic jazz (very nice system BTW) and can see that a lower-power tube amp with that jenre could sound very good with the 3.6. If the OP has a more diverse musical palette (macro dynamics/high listening level), the tube amps will leave him wanting.   Tubes elsewhere in the system do  benefit the sound with Thiels IME.

Best,
Dave