Thiels are a lot different than Aerials, IMHO. I've owned both Thiels and Aerials. They're more towards opposite ends of the spectrum in fact. The Pass will be lean with the Thiels, especially with a Pass preamp. I can see how it would sound great with the Aerials. You want a tube preamp if your going to get the best out of the Thiels. Even Kathy Gornick, formally of Thiel, said she never heard a Thiel speaker that didn't sound better with a tube preamp.
BAT, Belles, CJ and Ayre would be my choices for Thiel if going with newer amps. The old ML and certain Krells were great, but as stated, recapping may be an issue. Good luck.
BAT, Belles, CJ and Ayre would be my choices for Thiel if going with newer amps. The old ML and certain Krells were great, but as stated, recapping may be an issue. Good luck.