Maybe if I'm patient, an H30 will come up on A'gon for $8k....and not from some unknown character in Germany. ;-) There was an H20 up for $4100 on Audiomart a while ago and I believe it was legit. Hope springs eternal. |
Wow. 210 views and no posts. If you know any 3.7 owners, please forward this on to them. It's just a poll and the results might help others. |
James63,
Thanks for sharing your experience with those models. It's very instructive and tends to support some of my prejudices. I am currently auditioning a number of amps and will post my impressions when I've finished this phase of the quest. In the meantime, keep the stories coming, please! |
Yyzsantabarbara,
Thanks SO much. I have also been interested in TAD speakers, but I've not
had a chance to audition them.
I have immense respect for Bryston. I've just had a small reservation about
whether they would be too forward and analytical for the totally transparent
3.7's . Your research definitely gives me courage to try some out. The
mono's are unfortunately beyond my financial reach, but I could probably
swing the 14BSST2. I assume it would have a similar sound as the 28's. I
use a Conrad Johnson CT5 preamp....which should mate well with A
Bryston amp.
I'd love to hear what you end up choosing on the speakers and what the
differences are in your opinion. |
Pops,
Thanks for sharing your experience! I owned the 3.6's prior to the 3.7's and can attest that the 3.7 is a serious upgrade but cannot advise as to whether it's worth the money...that's very subjective. I can say that the 3.7's are more transparent, balanced and natural. They don't produce bass below 35hz as the 3.6's do, but what they do with upper register sound is simply sublime. The new tweeter is amazing. They are also more efficient, which widens the range of amplifier choices.
I would love to audition some 501's. |
Yyzsantabarbara,
As Mr. Tanner noted in the audiocircle thread, the 3.7's pass along whatever is fed to them....with NO interpretation. This is a double-edged sword, so I am being very careful in my decision making process.
I thought Mr. Tanner implied that the introduction of the squared series allowed more filter down of the 28's sound. That aside, I heard a 4BSST2 with some Maggie 3.7's last week and I thought it was a bit "cold" in presentation but the session was not long and the Maggies have their own issues. I simply can't afford the 28's unless they decide to double my salary at work. That'll be the day. |
I wonder where all the actual 3.7 owners are? Guess they're happily enjoying their systems. ;-) |
Thanks Richardyc. I agree that the 3.7's are far from bright. They're simply
the most truthful speakers I've ever heard. Ever so occasionally, the truth
can hurt.;-)
I've wondered how the Krell 402 might sound. Would be able to describe
the Krell's character a bit as you hear it? |
Jake3tg,
I wish I could afford to own and operate something like the ARC 250's, but alas, they are beyond my reach. Ditto the big VTL's. Bob Carver's Black Beauties might make it down to my neighborhood one day. |
Drubin,
What preamp does your friend use? |
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Audiojan,
How would you describe the Macs' sound with the 3.7's as opposed to the Levinson? |
Jafant,
You are correct about the 3.7's need for power in order to perform optimally. Perhaps it goes without saying, but they also demand high quality watts. I've listened to some megawatt amps that weren't very musical. I wish I knew someone with Krells. |
Cal3713,
Someone at Thiel told me awhile back that they were very, very pleased with how the Hegel drove the 3.7's. Do you remember which model it was? Their flagship is out of my price range. |
Bill,
Always good to hear from you! The HD20 does 375W into 4 ohms, which, based upon past auditions, is the very lowest power I'll consider for the 3.7's. I will look around for an in-home audition opportunity. The buzz I'm hearing about Hegel is promising. I hope it would mate well with a tube preamp. |
Alonski,
Isn't it great when a purchase pays off? Thanks for sharing about the VAC
gear. Just curious as to what types of music you generally listen to and how
big your room is. Congrats on joining the 3.7 fan club!
James63,
My preference for watts is not meant to be a statement of orthodoxy. Every
system and room is different. I simply know what I need in my room and in
my system. With the 3.7's, I don't covet more watts in order to raise the
volume; I have found that the "ease", "finesse" and
"agility" of the 3.7's cannot be fully realized with the lower watt
amplifiers I've auditioned. That is not to say that the 3.7's can't sound great
with lower watt amplifiers.
After five years of living with these incredible
speakers, I'm now shooting for something that will help them do their very
best with all types of music. My musical tastes are quite diverse and
eclectic, so it's a tall order. As you say, If I just listened to jazz, I'd get a
great 150-watt tube amp and call it a day. |
Alonski,
I read the specs and a few reviews of the Phi 200 and it's clear the monoblocs have what it takes to handle the 3.7's 2 ohm dip. Not many tube amps can do that. How many hours do you get out of a tube set? |
Sigh. I guess I'll just have to bide my time until the VAC and Hegel gear begins to fall prey to someone's upgrade fever. ;-) New is beyond my grasp. |
Alon,
A trip to San Francisco is a joy in and of itself...hearing the VAC/3.7 combo would be sublime. Next time I'm out there, I'll drop you a line. Thanks for all the info!
Vance |
Thought I'd give everyone an update. I have purchased a mint-condition Conrad-Johnson Premier 350SA amplifier. It is, without a doubt, the best amplifier I have heard with the CS 3.7's. It bested Bryston, Sanders and Classe's latest stereo amps by a clear margin.
Everyone who's heard it in my system is impressed with the bass, soundstage and layered sound stage. I suppose it helps that this amp is mated with a CJ CT5 preamp. To my ears, the 350 SA lives up to its legend. Martin Collum and Jeff Dorgay are spot on about its strengths and prowess. At 600 watts into 4 ohms, it is utterly undaunted by the 3.7's and manages to lift their considerable load with musical ease. Bass is deep and taut and highs are silky and seductive. One friend said, "I never knew what the Thiels were capable of until now." The 350 doesn't sound exactly like tubes, but it's 95 percent there. It definitely belongs on the "must try" list for 3.7 owners. Some at Conrad Johnson have said the 350 could not be made today for less than $15K. I have no way of knowing if that's true, but it sure beats the new $9K amps I put up against it. Must be all that Teflon!
I never could audition a VAC or the Hegel 30. Maybe one day...
Thanks to everyone for your suggestions. |
Thanks, Alon! This *is* one of those moments that make it all worthwhile.
One interesting thing I forgot to mention was a very intriguing discovery I
made during this whole process that might be of interest to those who are
looking for a "giant killer" amplifier.
A friend of mine loaned me his Hafler 500 which had been modified by
John Hillig of Musical Concepts. This amplifier, which retails for well under
$2500 came in second to the 350! It has a midrange to die for and it lent an
incredible musicality to everything I threw at it. It won't win a beauty contest
(the exterior looks like an army foot locker) but I would have started looking
for one to buy if the 350 had not swept me off of my feet.
For those who have $10k tastes but are on a $2000 budget, I recommend
contacting John at Musical Concepts. His gear is truly magical. If you find
one of his modified amplifiers, I'd snap it up. |
