Ayre V-Kxe and Thiel 2.4s

Stevecham,
I find you experience interesting with the CJ amplifier.How good is the quality and control of the bass driving the Thiel woofer? what type of music? Is it possible The CJ handles the thiel better than a SS Pass amplifier? Strange things can happen within audio systems sometimes. Could the CJ actually have a better power supply and/or transformers?

Hi Unsound,
It would seem(once again) that actual performance and listening in one`s system is far more meaningful than speculation based on measurements. Steve has actually compared the CJ amp to'3' more powerful SS amplifiers and the CJ sounds better(is`nt that the point of audio gear). Regardless of what'should' be the result based on amp power and supposed speaker requirements. What is there to debate or question other than your own personal belief that the 50 watt tube CJ should`nt outperform the bigger SS amplifiers. Should steve disregard what he`s heard in his own system? Why question his real life results?

Unsound,
The obvious point is steve`s CJ amp drove ithe Thiel and the OP`s Pass amp apparently struggles. Among other choices perhaps he may want to at least considerThe CJ amp or something very similar based on steve`s great sonic result.
Regards,

Unsound I certainly accept your apology, no problems.

Cal I`m glad you`re getting more out of your current Pass amp.Sometimes more power is the answer, but often I find it`s not the core problem. It`s usally higher 'quality' that`s needed.
Regards,

Hi Unsound,
I`d agree that is an arbitrary standard for sure. I sse no correlation with sound quality and volume level ability. Many systems can be built to play loud(quite loud) and yet sound rather poor. If someone has normal hearing ability and has put together a system that emphasizes natural sound with good resolution, 70-80db levels(on average) with peaks to low 90s is plenty for 'most'.

Again this is 'strictly' a personal decision and one must consider what levels are risky to their long term hearing.It seems the more a system`s resolution and noise floor are addressed/improved the more lively and involving it becomes at lower listening levels. This seems to lessen the need to crank it up in order to be satisfied.Of course YMMV.

Unsound, I think we`re in agreement,determining reasonable proximity is subjective and as stated earlier an arbitrrary standard.

Brad,
Yours and steve`s experience is another example of why actual listening will always mean more than speculation and preformed notions.

Brad I can understand your change in direction,you`ll be very happy.

Cal,
I appreciate the followup information. I`m not surprised with the superior results you realized with the lower power Pass amplifier .