Thiel 2.3

I picked up these speakers locally a few weeks back as I’ve been curious about Thiel speakers for many years and have never had the opportunity to hear them, or own them.  I tried them in my listening room a few times but they were so bright and strident sounding that I kept removing them.  
 
Upon hearing them, I totally understood some of the many complaints I’ve read about them.  This was even with decent and a warmer sounding SS gear pushing 200 watts into 8 ohms.  I wanted to like them, but I just couldn’t.  I then decided to try a tubed preamp and amp, pushing 185 watts in tetrode mode.

I’m not sure I’ve ever encountered a speaker where the upstream gear made that drastic of a difference.  What was ear-bleedingly strident and unlistenable turned into a “Holy crap!  These sound friggin’ amazing!”  
 

Boy, am I ever glad I tried the tubed gear.  These old speakers are now making beautiful music in my room!  Proof again, to me, that system synergy plays such a huge role in our hobby.