Thiel Owners

Thiel CS3.6 loudspeaker Measurements | Stereophile.com

Thiel CS3.7 loudspeaker Measurements | Stereophile.com

None of the above reccomended amps are spec'd to deal with the actual load of these loudspeakers.

Regarding amps for the 3.7's which i have owned since 2018,  i have had great success with the PS Audio BHK amps  (both stereo and then mono blocks), and a Coda 16.  I wrote about this preamp earlier,  but the introduction of the BAT VK-80 completely transformed the sound of my system.   i greatly prefer it over the three previous preamps (Pass,  PS, Coda) that i had been using. https://balancedaudio.net/vk-80-preamp

Per unsound above and along with the cs3.6 and cs3.7s, Thiel cs5, cs5i, cs6, cs7, and cs7.2 impedance loads are down around 2-3 ohms and demand a powerful amp. Yes there are all makes and types of amps but make sure to power your big Thiels properly as you can’t just go buy a new pair anymore. Existing speakers aren’t as numerous and finding original replacement parts is more challenging.
 

Be careful with your cs2.3 and cs2.4s as well for the same reasons.

unsound,

Good point. When I went to Lexington, Thiel had the Krell FPB 700cx powering a pair of CS 7.2. Could Pass 250.8 amps be used? Sure. Will they have the dynamic headroom or slam the larger amp has? No way.

ronkent,

Glad to hear you are enjoying your VK-80. I’m seriouisly considering a VK-90 myself as BAT gear mates well with Thiel.

velocityofhue,

Great amp for your CS 2.4

Years ago I was in Nashville and stopped into a Thiel dealer. they had the CS 7.2 on display mated with Mac 1kw amps.

I sat and listened to the dealers arraged playlist. After a few tracks I asked if they would mind if I went to my vehicle to retrieve a few cd’s I had that I’d like to listen too. They said "sure"

I gave them the cd and they asked which track and I said just hit play as it doesnt matter. As it started to play I turned up the volume at a decent volume to fill the room. I saw a nervous look on saleman’s face as the red clipping light started to flash. Shortly after I ended the audition and excused myself and thanked them for the opportunity to listen.

Immediately after leaving the store I jumped on I-75 to Lexington where I heard the same CS7.2 with the Krell FPB 700cx amp. I thought I was listning to a different speaker it was so different. The authority the speakers possessed with a rock solid bottom end with no grain or grit on top was ear opening.

My point. If I would have left my first experience regarding Thiel speakers with that audition in Nashville I would have never bought Thiel speakers. When I heard what the right amp could do it was what the man himself, Jim Thiel, wanted his lesteners to hear.

Now I have a stable of Thiel speakers that I can switch out any given day because of Thiel selecting the right amp for their speakers.

Amps matter.

duramax747

Nice points all around. Not every Audiophile can set-up the infrastructure for a Krell power amp. Some models require more planning than others. I look forward to meeting you in the future.

Happy Listening!