Thiel Owners

Hi All,   If you could pick between a pair of CS5's and CS7.2's for the same price, which would you pick (and why:))?

Following up on one of my earlier posts, the CS7.2 woofers that seemed hopelessly damaged have been repaired by Coherent Source Services (Rob Gillum).  He had to completely rebuild them (shipping damage prior to me purchasing them), but they are now back, installed, and playing music.  I don't know how much burn in time they might need, but the speakers already sound fantastic (first I've heard them since purchasing them).  Rob was extremely helpful throughout this process, and I unconditionally recommend his services.

Jafant,
My current system is SAM reference TT+Audia Flight phono pre/Raysonic 168 CD player/Bluenode streamer feeding an ARC Reference 3 driving a pair of Levinson 436 amps for this system. As for cables, I am firmly in the budget cable camp, so I use a mix of Blue Jean, Monoprice, and custom made cables. I have more gear than I can use at any one time, so things get swapped in and out periodically though:)

-Gary

Do any of you have any experience with SST Ampzilla 2000 monoblock amps (series 2) with Thiel speakers?  I bought a pair kind of on a whim to try, but I'm curious if anyone else has experience with them. 

I just wanted to follow up on my earlier post about SST Ampzilla 2000 monoblock amps.  I've spend some quality time now with the Ampzilla's powering my CS7.2's.  This setup is actually the Ampzilla monoblock amps as well as the matching Ambrosia preamp.  My main system is an ARC Reference 3 preamp driving a pair of Levinson 436's.  I've also recently used an Aragon stack (Aurum preamp + Palladium 2K amps) with the 7.2's.  So far, I am really impressed.  My listening space is medium sized (15' x 30'), but the SST setup seems to drive the speakers every bit as good as the Aragon setup.  I need to do some sort of A/B with the ARC/Levinson setup and to try them with the CS5's.  However, my initial thought is these are very much worthy of driving a pair of Thiels.  They have great control of the speakers, are DEAD quiet, and otherwise don't seem to get in the way of the imaging and accuracy that Thiel speakers are known for.  I know the cosmetics aren't for everyone, but I think at today's prices (you can get them new for a fraction of "retail") they are a relative bargain.

Brettmcee,
  Are you Ampzilla 2000s gen 1 or 2?  I have a pair of Gen 2 which drive my CS5 and CS7.2 nicely.  I don't always listen at high volumes, but I have certainly pushed them hard with no problems.  So far, I find them to be in the same league as my Levinson 436s with the Thiels.  Granted, I haven't had them long and need to do more A/B.