Thiel Owners

Speaker cable question for Thiel lovers. My speaker cables are Cardas Golden Cross. Interconnects are Cardas Clear. I bought the Golden Cross cables back in the day when I could not afford the electronics needed to tame my Thiel 3.6 highs. Might also have been room problem, placement, etc. Now I have the electronics and I now feel I might be losing something with this VERY WARM speaker cable. Associated equipment is ARC REF 3 Pre, ARC PH8 phonopre, Classe CA-2200 amp, Clearaudio Performance SE with Stradivari V2. All opinions are appreciated, including recommendations. Thanks again.

Hi,

I used to have a pretty great analog system driving a pair of 3.6s. I was powering them with 300 watts SS. I had to get rid of that system, except the speakers of course. In the meantime I was listening to a pair of 1.6 driven by a Conrad Johnson Classic 60se, a tube amp. It was a glorious match. I know the philosophy was tube preamp and SS amp, but I now believe it is the amp, the last thing in the chain, that "voices" the speaker. l have read that tube watts are entirely different than SS watts, but I thought I'd ask the gurus to weigh in.

How many tube watts do I need to drive 3.6, and later 6s, to very loud levels. Garage is 20 x 20 ft with 8-foot ceilings.

Jafant,

Nothing! Just my pair of 3.6. I want to get an integrated tube amp, Cardas Clear or Cardas Clear Beyond for cables, and something to stream with. Budget is 10-12 grand CAN. I don't buy new. Future will be CS6s, but not now. 

Used to have clear beyond cables, Classe 400 watts, ARC PH8 phono, ARC REF 3 pre, Clearaudio Performance SE table, and a Stradivari cartridge. Looking to build a new system anchored with tube amp.

After using the CJ 60se in my 1.6 house system, I think the Classe "voiced" the speakers, not the tubes feeding the amp feeding the 3.6.

Love CJ, but will 45 tube watts be enough? How about 75? Will I need 200 tube watts?

That is my first question: wattage?

Hello again,

Thanks for those who posted in response to my tube power question. BTW, I ended up buying a Mac7200. It is SS with 200 watts and is stable for the 3.6 load. It has a phonostage and DAC...that was a deciding factor. I was an ARC guy, so I see how I like it. Does anyone experience with this pairing?

TIA, Bill