Thiel Owners

I just joined the world of “Thiel owners” by purchasing a pair of 1.6’s.  I drive them with a NAD C 375BEE and so far am really loving them.  Still experimenting with positioning….

Jafant

Thanks for the welcoming reply. Actually, the NAD is my first “step up” in gear. Aside from that my collection is pretty much all vintage every day components. I have several receivers like a Sansui 8080, Kenwood KR7400 and Sherwood SEL200 to name a few. Turntables include an AR XA, Concept 2QD, Technics SL 1500 and few more. I have several pairs of speakers like Bozak B313’s, KEF Reference 103.2, ADS L810, Dynaco A25 and stacked OLA’s.  All these get rotated into various systems in the house.  My “main” which gets most use would currently be the Sansui, Concept and ADS combo in my office.  

I have been looking to, again, step things up and came upon the Thiel 1.6’s for a good price. Then I started looking for an amp that was good and with sufficient power for the Thiels and found the NAD C375BEE. So here I am. My budget is somewhat limited so I am doing the best I can with the money I have to spend on “stuff like this” along with what is available in the local market…..pretty happy so far….😎.  Currently the Thiels/NAD are in the garage as I needed to test everything to be sure it all worked/sounded as it should.  Next for them is the family room…..

New to the thread so hopefully I’m not interrupting the flow, but recently acquired a pair of pristine 1.6’s and I am interested in any recommendations around amplification. Currently I am using a NAD C375BEE which seems to do quite well with them. Thanks everyone and must say this incredibly long thread is a great read!  John

@duramax747 Thanks for the info!  Room size is about 20x14 with the system going somewhat centered on the long wall, speakers likely about 8’ apart. (still putting everything together). 
 

@tomthiel Thanks for the info and insights!  I will do more research and take it from there. Also, I know where to get the locking bananas and will absolutely take your advice on that. 😎

@jafant right now I have several systems through the house, but the one I am building around the Thiels has the NAD integrated amp so far, the speakers and a newly acquired/used Benchmark DAC2. If I decide to include a turntable right now, my best option is a Concept 2QD. Still looking for a streamer…

thanks for the warm welcome!

@tomthiel 

@jafant 

@unsound 

@duramax747 

Based on your feedback, am looking around in the area for a possible addition to my gear, that of a power amp that suits the 1.6's.  So far I have found:

Hafler Trans Nova 9505 and a Yamaha M80.  Both advertised at $1k and reported to be in great shape functionally and cosmetically.  Still searching...

@unsound 

@devinplombier 

I imagine you understand this better than I do....LOL.....however "quiet" is emphasized...

https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/hypex-ncx500-class-d-amplifier-review.41007/

@unsound 

Thanks for the heads up on the Buckeye amps.  I decided to hold off on buying an older amp and will set things up with an IOM Ultra (Hypex-NCORE as well, like Buckeye) amp I already have and see how that goes.  Specs are:

250W stereo:
Output Power (2Ω): 2 x 180W, (BTL 2Ω is not supported)
Output Power (4Ω): 2 x 250W, (1 x 400W in BTL)
Output Power (8Ω): 2 x 150W, (1 x 500W in BTL)
Channels: 2
Output impedance: 2.5mΩ (Max) – f < 1kHz, 5mΩ (Max) – f < 20kHz

One more question about my 1.6's and adequately powering them...is the IOM Ultra enough or is the 500 better? Is the 500 too much? Thanks!!

IOM Ultra

• Amplifier Modules: Hypex NC252MP (250W).

• 125W stereo: Offers 125W per channel into 4 ohms.
• 250W stereo: Delivers 250W per channel into 4 ohms. 

• Trigger input: Allows for automatic power on/off with devices like the WiiM Ultra.
• RCA inputs: Standard unbalanced inputs.
• XLR inputs (optional): Provides balanced input connections. 

• High Efficiency: Minimizes power consumption and heat generation.
• Universal Mains Operation: Adapts to different power voltages.
• Flat, Load-Independent Frequency Response: Ensures consistent audio quality across various speaker loads.
• Low Output Impedance: Provides excellent control over speakers.
• Very Low Distortion (THD): Reproduces audio with minimal added noise or inaccuracies.

IOM NCore 500

• Amplifier Modules: It uses two Hypex NCx500 modules.
• Output Power:
• Maximum output power of 700W into 2 Ohm or 4 Ohm, at 1kHz with 0.01% THD.
• 380W into 8 Ohm, at 1kHz with 0.01% THD.
• Signal-to-Noise Ratio: 137 dB. This indicates very low background noise.
• Total Harmonic Distortion + Noise (THD+N): As low as 0.0002%.
• Frequency Response: 0 – 70k Hz +0/-3dB.
• Gain Settings: Selectable gain settings of 12.8, 20.5, 27.5, and 29 dB.
• Input Impedance: 50K.
• Inputs: Balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA inputs.
• Trigger Input: 12V trigger input with passthrough.
• Other Features:
• Built-in soft-start and soft shut-down.
• Can be driven by a wide range of input voltages, making it compatible with various sources.
• Features a custom input buffer.