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Hunting for an integrated for thiels cs 2.3. Anthem, Hegel, Bel Canto?

Hello all, I am looking for some advice/wisdom. I found a pair of delicious Thiel CS 2.3 that now adorn a vacation home in France. I am hunting for a good integrated to make them sing, on a skinny budget. Sticking with integrated as preamp/poweramp is likely more expensive. Aiming to stay above 100 wpc/8 ohms to have distort-free headroom. This is what I found on the used market in possible financial reach:

Bel Canto écoute 2i (The seller states the amplificator module was upgraded in 2020 by a distributor)

Hegel 160

Anthem int 225 (I have this driving cs2.2 in my US home, this would work quite nicely)

I know and enjoy the Anthem. I have never heard the Hegel but reviews seem quite enthusiastic, this is also a more recent unit with airplay and built dac, downside is limited inputs. Never heard a Bel Canto, this one is an older design (2002 I believe). 

Before anyone says Krell for Thiels, that is vastly over budget ;)

thank you for your wisdom!

nicolasm
jafant
19,296 posts
 

nicolasm

Nice score on those CS 2.3 loudspeakers. I know and can vouch for Anthem 225/225i and STR Integrated Amps. If considering Hegel, look at the 390 or 590.

I am not familiar with Bel Canto. Feel free to join Us over on Thiel Owners thread as well. We have many fans and owners of CS 2.2 and CS 2.3 loudspeakers on The Panel.

 

Happy Listening!

secretguy
1,680 posts
 

Like you, I had (still have actually) the Anthem 225 and it was a wonderful amp. I like it so much that I replaced it with the STR.  I can't say enough good things about it. The reviews are right.

If I were buying now, I'd make the same decision in a heartbeat.

sunshdw's avatar
sunshdw
252 posts
 

Of those options, I'd strongly recommend the STR. Having ARC built in will get the most out of those Thiels 

 

https://tmraudio.com/components/integrated-amplifiers/anthem-str-stereo-integrated-amplifier-mm-mc-phono-1-1/

nicolasm OP
4 posts
 

Thank you for your advices! I think I am going to stay mid-fi and nab the anthem 225 for 700 euros. This should work until I find a pile of gold to go bezerk.

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jazzman7
345 posts
 

If you can find a Coda CSiB integrated amp within budget, perhaps used, that would be a delicious pairing. I currently employ a Coda CSiB v1 (150 watts  into 8 ohms, doubling down as you halve the impedance, with first 18 watts in Class A) to drive my Thiel CS 2.4 speakers.

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