Attention Thiel CS3.7 owners

Get a used Bryston 28B-SST2 for about 10 grand or a 7B-SST2 for half that used. Thiel has used this combo many times for demo. James Tanner of Bryston has an excellent review of this combo on the Bryston Limited section of AudioCircle. One of his personal systems.

After many days of research last week I have decided to narrow my next purchase down to the Thiel CS3.7 (new) or a TAD Evolution 1 (used) to use with the 28B-SST2 amps (used). My preamp is the BAT 42-SE

Here is a link to what I was talking about,

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=53422.msg476635#msg476635

Just for fun 1 more,

"We shared a demo room with Thiel at the recent Vegas Hi-Fi show in January (CES 2008) and used the 28B's on the Thiel CS 3.7's. Jim Thiel himself told me that it was the best sound they had ever had at a show. Also George Cardas of Cardas cables was so impressed with the setup he was sending people to our demo as his quote was - 'that's the best sound I have heard at a show in 20 years' "

The 14B-SST2 may not work too well for you if are concerned about the sound being too forward. If you read Mr Tanners comments (and review) he highlights one aspect of the sound differences between the 7B-SST2 and the 28B-SST2 as the soundstage on one being forward and the other further back. The 7b and 14B are almost the same technically and supposed to sound the same.

There is supposed to be more of an audilbe difference between the 7B/14B and the 28B vs the 4B and the 7B/14B. Today, there are 3 sellers on A'Gon selling the 28B's for $10,000. If you get the original sales receipt from any seller you are essentially buying a new Bryston for 1/2 price. If anything goes wrong with the amps can send it to repair in either Canada or USA. They will fix it and return in brand new shape (or better with some older gear). I wish I had the funds today to buy one of these used amps at this price but I don't have the funds yet (working on my second job as I write this).

I am not sure how your pre-amp would work with the Bryston's but if you were to consider these amps you need to spend some time conversing with the people on Audiocircle and they can give you some guidance. So you don't waste your time and money. One thing you may find interesting is my concern that the new Bryston SST2 amps may sound too tubey. I don't like tubes.

I currently have the Thiel SCS4 with my BAT and a 4B-SST and I know that the pre-amp and amps work well together. This system, sans the pre-amp, will hopefully be relegated to my home office once I get my main rig together.

I was also considering the big BAT SS monoblock amps and the Parasound JC1 but decided on the Brystons because of good experiences with this brand in the past.

The TAD line has intrigued me as long as the Thiel CS 3.7 but prior to the Evolution 1 it was not financially doable. I am a big fan of Beryllium drivers and the reviews of the TAD's have been great. Not sure if The Evolution 1 is 2x greater than the Thiels. I have not spent enough time with the TAD's to make a decision.