Thiel 3.6 s and amplifier choices

I have Thiel 3.6s at my beach house, and used the Aragon 4004 at one stage (but not for long, it is very solid state sounding if you know what I mean). I now use a Plinius SA250 Mk IV, and the combination is utterly stunning - after going through a long list of amps including Classe and Krell. I don't recommend the SA250 in all applications as it can sound slow with some speakers, but with the Thiel 3.6 - there is true magic going on.

I use a classe ca200 with great results and all mit cabling, 330 shotguns and 750 series 3's. Plenty of power as the classe doubles down into 4 ohms. the mits compliment the thiels ability to image really well. I also have tubes in the pre which I think is critical. With optimum synergy from start to finish these speakers are incredible. If 1 thing is out of whack they will scream it!I wouldn't recommend having 1 aggressive component in the chain including cables and pc's. These speakers are also very fast and decay beautifully, they need a fast amp to really shine.

Does anyone use a tube amp with 3.6. I have heard many trnsistor aamps with the Thiels and none have pleased as much as an out of production tube AR amp I heard many years ago. Now have Symphonic line and its just OK. Would really like to try tubes.

I also used to power my 3.6's with an Aragon 4004 MkII, but I upgraded to Krell and what a difference! My Aragon never seemed to let the Thiels open up; They sounded strained and congested except at low volume levels. The Krell has fixed my problem. I am in love with my 6 year old 3.6's again.

I've not found my Krell pre/amp by themselves to be a major source of harsh or bright qualities. Rather, the front end of the system seems to be very important. Bright sounding CD players (all too common these days) really sound bad with the 3.6's regardless of pre/amp.

You are right Railaudio - the Aragon does sound strained and congested - with a wiriness to voices that is very hard to like.