Best affordable amp for Thiel CS3.6


I have a pair of CS3.6's, which I am currently driving with a pair of Adcom GFA-555II's in bridged mono mode. While I am fairly happy with this setup, I realize that the Adcoms may not be in the same league as the Thiels. Any suggestions as to what amps mate well with the CS3.6's? Ideally, I'd love to find an amp (or two, if mono) for under $2,000, but if it's worthwhile, I may go higher. Obviously, if there is a great option out there for less money, I'd be even more interested. Used gear is fine with me, if it is quality gear. I am also considering modding my Adcoms to smooth out the mids/highs and add a little support in the low end.

Another consideration is that I am currently using an Adcom GFA-2535 for my center channel (Thiel SCS3) and surrounds (AR TSW-110), and since it is nice to have matching amps for HT, I'd probably have to add an additional amp or two (eventually).

My sources are currently a Denon DCM-460 and a JVC SA-600, but these are likely to be upgraded in the relatively near future. Both are sending digital outs to my Rotel RSP-1066, which handles the processing.

Thanks for any input/advice.

Tom.
tombowlus

Showing 7 responses by drubin

Tom, I wonder how the Theta Dreadnaught would do. It's not too pricey if I remember.
Tom, it's above your price range ($4700), but I just got a pair of the
new Rowland 201 monoblocks, which I am using with Thiel 2.4's. Very
early impressions are favorable to the point of gaga. Makes my Pass
150 sound broken, which it definitely is not.
FYI, digital amps are very efficient and generate little or no heat. I'm thinking of the Rowland (no heat sinks even) and probably the Acoustic Arts, Spectron, and Bel Canto amps.
If you decide you can afford the NL-10 (used), then you should try to hear the Rowland 201's with your Thiels. Really.
I'm not sure it's fair to lump the Rowland 201 with any previous Rowland products. I don't know that you are Unsound, but in case. (And it could be fair. The only other Rowland amp I know well is the Model 1, which hardly counts.)

I have not heard the 201's with 3.6's, but with my 2.4's, I simply cannot imagine a better match, and I find myself succumbing to a case of warrenh disease, if you know what I mean. :-)
>"I think that once I heard just how good my [3.6's] can sound with excellent >[amplification], I didn't want to go back to anything else."

Man, how many times have we all said that!