Amp for Thiel 2.3s. Anyone use Classe with them?

Classe is a great match for Thiels. After I purchased my CS6's, I called many dealers that sold Thiels and amps such as Krell, Levinson, BAT and Classe. The general consensus was Classe. I also talked to Kathy at Thiel, the Classe CA400 was one of their reference amps. That sold me on the Classe. I use a CAT SL1 Ultimate for my preamp. The combination of the CAT and Classe is unbelievable. Very fast, musical and dynamic.

Brent,

How about Pass Labs x350? I think this might be a good match. I believe I heard the Thiel 2.3s with Classe many years ago, and was not particularly impressed. When I had the 2.3s, I had them with Krell, but that will also give a bright, up-front sound.

Brent -

Am running the Thiel 2.3's with Krell KSA-250, KRC-HR and the new Pure Note Ceruleans IC's & speaker cables. Yeah, some say "bright" - I like to characterize it as "razor sharp". Warm? - no. But, if you like to hear inside of the string - it's a hell of a rig! Good listening.

Jim

As a Thiel owner, I can say that if you hear any brightness it is somewhere in your system and not the speaker. Could be your preamp, cables, and possibly the amp. Whatever it is, the Theils are presenting it and not causing it.

I have heard the Thiel 2 2, 3.6 and CS6 - but not the 2.3 -with the Classe CA amps and Classe preamps and they do work extremely well together. However, don't expect the brightness to disappear with the Classe - whatever is causing it will remain and the Classe will not gloss over it, even though it is a bit on the warm side of neutral. I would have, without reservation, purchased the Classe. I chose the Mark Levinson 20.6 monoblocks instead.

Thiels are bastards - you cannot skimp anywhere in your system with them. They will brutally highlight shortcomings in electronics and cabling.

Hello, I have owned the Thiel MCS 1's the 2.3's the CS 6's and the 7's. I always used Classe Amps, including the CA 300,the newer 301 ( which I liked more than the 300 as it was quieter w/ no ground loop hum)and the Omega. Krell to me sounded to dark with Thiel. I also used Audio Research pre-amps including the LS 2B Mk II and the REF II. Believe it or not for the money I used the LS 2 because it was a hybrid. The 1 tube design I thought was just right. At alot of the shows I used to see, Thiel,Classe and A.R. used alot together. Good Luck!