amp for thiel cs1.6??

I like my 185 wpc McCormack DNA-1 with Thiel 2.2's and BAT VK-3i (tube) preamp.

Overall I really like the McCormack and recommend it. I wouldn't call the DNA-1 either dark or bright. It has plenty of power, and great value. I bought mine used about 8 years ago, and it hasn't really gone down in value during that whole time!

In my room, the stage is wider than the speakers (8+ feet), and deep with pin point accuracy. But this only happened after many tweaks (speakers pulled out into the room, toe-in, iso bearings, upgraded power cables, speaker cable lifters etc...).

On the other hand, I think the sound gets congested at higher volumes (100dB!), the combo is still a little bright (hard on piano, sizzles on poorly recorded sibilants), and I'd like better inner detail.

I wouldn't consider this equipment combo to be deficient. I've just grown higher expectations as I've been with this gear for over 5 years.

I recently heard the 2.2's with a Krell FPB 600 ($12k) and a Wadia CD ($8k), and was amazed at the improvements. I didn't know they could play that wide, deep and dynamically. Brightness didn't change. This makes me think the Thiels can continue to benefit from really expensive electronics.

Of course, you can get a used DNA-1 for about $800, and the reviews are consistently very favorable for the Rev B and A upgrades (I think a Rev. A upgrade is about $1200, and then you have a Stereophile "class A" amp).

Hi,

Take a look at the fine amps from Consonance that were such a big hit at CES2003 in Las Vegas.

audiolon.com

Dear new wes,
I have the amps for you. VTL 80 watt mono's. I use them with my Maggie 1.6's(84db). They sound great! Tube magic while keeping the highs and lows intact.
Let me know
Bill

Hi,

I inherited a pair of thiel cs2's from my uncle a couple of years ago and at the time had an acurus a100. I had a similar experience with the Thiel's being very revealing a little on the power hungry side they sounded a little cold and harsh. I upgraded to an aragon 4004 mkII which is 200 watts at 8 ohms and 400 watts at 4 ohms! I have been very happy with the setup. My uncle heard the setup and said they had never sounded that good when he had them, and he had driven them with an adcom 200 wpc amp and pass monoblocks with 100wpc. I think you'll find the 4004mkII typically around $800 on this site and the 8008 around 1200-1500. Definitely worth checking out.

good luck

Hello,

You might want to consider one of the fine integrated amps from Consonance. These amps caused great excitement at CES 2003. The C1 (120) watts for example was used with the excellent Buggtussel speakers and was picked as one of the top four rooms at the show. The C1 sounds great also with the 1.6s.

audiolon.com