2. amps-preamps
  3. 1352437950

I've been gifted a pair of Thiel CS2s

So, I'm starting with the speakers first. :D

They'll more than likely be sitting in an 10' x 8' x 9' (height) room, which hopefully is big enough for them.

Since, as I understand Thiels crave a lot of power,
I'm looking at amps that will double down to 4ohms.

My budget is probably about $1000 for both the amp (or integrated amp and a pre-amp.

I'm currently looking at Aragon 4004.
I'm wondering if this will be "too much" power,
as I live in a condo and it seems a number of sellers are selling the high power amps because they are downsizing.

Anyhow, what would be a good matching pre-amp for the Aragon 4004, in the $500 range?

I've also considered:
< $500 amps: Acurus, Anthem MCA2.

$500-$750:
Rotel RB-1080, PS Audio HCA2, McCormack DNA 0.5, Anthem MCA2 (here as well)

$750-$1000:
Bryston 4B (but it sounds like the ST or SST would be better, but more costly), Conrad Johnson MF-2200, McCormack DNA-125.

I've been reading a lot and learning some.

All opinions welcome.

Thanks,
Mike
mrfarnham

Showing 8 responses by doggiehowser

doggiehowser
672 posts
 
I posted a pic earlier of my friend's 2.4 setup.

And it actually sounded better than a number of other 2.4 setups in larger rooms.

That's where my money is.
doggiehowser
672 posts
 
Don;t worry about too much power. I have used Bel Canto REF1000Ms (1000W into 4 ohms) and Electrocompaniet Nemos (1200W) with my Thiels before.

The higher power gives it the headroom to handle fast dyamics where Thiels excel in.

I believe Thiel uses a lot of Bryston gear when doing internal tests
doggiehowser
672 posts
 
As long as you can sit about 8 feet away from the speakers, I you should be able to get pretty good imaging and phase coherency.

My friend used to run 2.4s and 3.7s in a pretty tiny room.

Having some room treatment helps too.

For those offering suggestions, he's been gifted the speakers so that isn't going to change. I'd still see if he can get a bigger room but 10 feet length wide still seems OK.
doggiehowser
672 posts
 
You know, this was one of the best Thiel CS2.4 setups I have listened to in the past, and it broke all of Thiel's positioning rules :)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3315/3490701425_db2565b92d.jpg?v=0

It was less than 8 feet apart.

The guy was working in a Thiel dealership but this room doubled up as a workshop for his hifi DIY projects as well.

I dunno how much the CS2 is similar to the 2.4 but it's quite amazing what could be done with a bit of know how.
doggiehowser
672 posts
 
You guys don't get it, do you?

He's not BUYING the CS2s.

He's been gifted the speakers.

It's not like he could ask to swap them for SCSs :)
doggiehowser
672 posts
 
I've had good results with tube preamps and SS amps (need the grunt to drive Thiels).

Have fun with the CS2s first.

If it really can't sing in the room, then try the other options: flog them off on Audiogon and get something else.

I dunno about sentiments here but if a relative or friend had gifted me the speakers, it would seem rude to sell it off to get something else.
doggiehowser
672 posts
 
I expect that if the speakers had been given rather than sold, it might have been because there was a sentimental value. A generic brand new sweater wouldn't have that same attachment.
doggiehowser
672 posts
 
I have used Bel Canto REF1000M (Class D) and Electrocompaniet Nemos (A/AB) as well as Plinius SA Reference (A)

I thought also heard a friend's Bryston AB amps drive Thiels.

The Bryston had better midrange vs the the Bel Cantos. But the Bel Cantos had better control of bass, very tight. With a tube preamp, the Bel Canto's midrange improved.

The Nemos improved further on the Bel Cantos bass control further with more authority and more meat. The Plinius was better again.
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