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New amp? Thiel...

Bought a pair of Thiel CS2.4's about 6 months ago and they are just as amazing as the reviews say. I'm driving them with a Krell KAV-250a, which has plenty of power but somehow I'm wondering if there's not a better amp for the Thiels...

The rest of the system includes a Krell HTS7.1 (need to maintain the HT/2-ch in one room, so not much of an option there... besides the analog pre of the HTS7.1 is pretty darn good), a Clearaudio Champion with Benz Silver MC, Graham Slee phono stage, Oppo BDP-95 (xlr analog) and all Cardas cables. The room is pretty much a concrete bunker... basement with carpeted concrete floor, concrete walls with drapes on the walls (basically thickish cotton/synthetic blackout curtains), so it's a pretty bright room. I know I need to add some acoustic panels to it, that's on the list.

I've heard the Thiel CS2.4's with a very large (and out of my price range) McIntosh (MC1.2k) and that's an amazing combination.

I would sell my Krell (seems to go for $1100-1600 depending on condition lately) and I would add another $500-1000 to that...

Any recommendations where to start looking?
audiojan

Showing 3 responses by cmalak

cmalak
681 posts
 
I drive my 2.4s with ARC's Ref 110 power amp but in your price range I would stay with high quality SS from Krell/Simaudio/Pass Labs. Here are some options from the Agon listings that I think will be very good with your 2.4s in your price range of $1,500-$2,500:

http://app.audiogon.com/listings/simaudio-moon-w-5-black
http://app.audiogon.com/listings/monarchy-audio-se250-hybrid-power-amplifier (These are interesting with 250wpc into 8ohms and 500wpc into 4ohms w/ first 50wpc biased in Class A)
http://app.audiogon.com/listings/mcintosh-mc7270-power-amp (Not familiar with this McIntosh amp but looks like it might be a good deal)
http://app.audiogon.com/listings/krell-ksa-150-class-a-amplifier (150wpc of Class A Krell power. Given age of this amp, I would check the caps on it)

Hope this gives you some ideas to research.
cmalak
681 posts
 
Audiojan...if you went with a Class A Krell, I think the sound will not be as forward as the more modern Krell sound is, which is why I included that link above. I think Class A biased amps will give you that more liquid less edgy sound (so look for older Threshhold, Pass Labs, Krell, and even Accuphase amps biased in Class A). The main thing though is having an overbuilt power supply that can push through a lot of current given the dips below 4ohms that Unsound points out happens for much of the frequency band with the 2.4s. The Thiels are sensitive enough that you don't really need much more than 100wpc to play them loud, as long as the amp has an overspec'd power supply and can also deliver a lot of current. If the amp is not capable of pushing a lot of current, you will then have tonal aberrations, because the tough load points happen especially in the lower registers, and then the 2.4s will sound tipped up and thin.
cmalak
681 posts
 
Audiojan...sorry. I did not realize you had pulled the trigger on the ML 334 amp before posting above. Congrats and glad you are liking the 334/2.4 combo.
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