Thiel Owners

Hello everyone.  First time audio fan here.  

Last year I jumped into the audio world by purchasing a pair of Thiel CS2 speakers (the original CS 2).  Found them on Craigslist for $500.  I used speakers with my Sony receiver (100W) that I purchased at Best Buy for $300 until I could purchase some real equipment. 
Despite the poor equipment, the speakers sounded very good.  

Last month I purchased a Classe DR-5 pre amp and two (2) DR-8 amps.  Despite being older equipment, everything came in the original boxes, was stored in a closet for about 20 years, and looks brand new.  In mono mode, the DR-8 amps have 240 watts into 8 ohms, and 540 watts into 4 ohms.

The Classe equipment really made my speakers sing for about a day.  That is when I noticed the woofers in my Thiels making a bad vibration sound (at first I thought I blew a tweeter).  At higher levels I notice the sound was distorted and did not sound right.  I have confirmed that both woofers need to be replaced, and replacement is about $450.  

Question is did I damage the Thiels with the Classe equipment when I played it at loud volumes (my wife likes to play dance/club music loud)?  Just wondering if the speakers being so old gave up the chase, or if we sent too much power to the speakers and damaged them.  I also read online that I could have damaged the Thiels with the old Sony receiver by playing the music loud and not having enough power, which in turn damaged the speaker.  Either way I will have to replace both woofers, but I do not want to damage the speakers in the future.  I just hope the speakers will sound the same with new woofers.  Also, my speaker wire is not the best so I hope that did not cause an issue either (feel free to recommend good speaker wires).  

In addition, while I love the sound of the CS2 speakers I have, they are old and I am wondering if I should upgrade to something newer.  Was thinking of the 2.4 or the 3.6, but I did not know if my equipment would be enough power for the 3.6 speakers.  If someone could comment on this I would appreciate it.  

Thank you in advance for any suggestions and input.  
   

I currently have two Classe Audio DR-8 amps running in mono mode.  They have 280 watts into 8ohms and 560 watts into 4 ohms.  In addition, they are high current amps.  Currently have a pair of Thiel CS2 speakers, but I am adding a pair of Thiel CS 3.6 speakers I just purchased.  Will my DR-8 amps have enough power to properly power the Thiel 3.6 speakers?  On occasion I do like to play the music load so I want to make sure I have enough power.  

I currently have a pair of Thiel 3.6 speaks powered by a pair of Classe Audio DR-8 amps I use in mono mode. In mono mode, the DR-8’s put out almost 600 watts at 4 ohms and sound very good with the Thiels. I also have a Classe DR-5 pre amp.

Just located a Krell KSA 300S amp local to me and toying with the idea of adding the Krell to replace the DR-8’s. Have not heard the Krell recently, but thought it would add more bass to the Thiels.

Does anyone have any thoughts on these two amps?

Thanks guys.  Sounds like I will keep my Classe amps.  I really do enjoy them and they do sound really good.  Just wish I had the DR-9 amps with more power.  

sgmlaw

Thanks for the great response. Last month I had my electrician install a dedicated AC line for my stereo equipment. Think the line is on a dedicated 20 amp breaker. I also have a Monster Power HTS 5100 power center for my equipment. The HTS 5100 makes it really easy to power on and off all of the equipment at one time.

While I really like my DR-8 amps, wondering if it would be worth locating a pair of DR-9 amps for the extra power. At 4 ohms the DR-8 in mono mode has 560 watts and the DR-9 would have 800 watts. Just do not know if it is worth the time and hassle to locate a pair of DR-9 amps and sell the DR-8 amps. Plus my DR-8 amps are in mint condition and have consecutive serial numbers (if that even matters).