Amp for Thiel 2.3s. Anyone use Classe with them?

The Thiels need the current to drive them at demanding low impedances (3 Ohm minimum) so that the low and lo-mids will come through with punch. The W5 is a great amp and should be able to provide all the cureent needed. I used to have the CS7s driven by Bryston 7BSTs and while the sound was good, there were time when I felt they also bright.

After a (long story) selling the CS7s and the Brystons, I am now back with Thiels again, this time with Cs6s. But now I am driving them with a Krell 400cx amp and I have all the warmth, punch and sweetness I could ever want. I would recommend cj, ARC, Levinson, Theta, Rowland as other alternatives. If possible, home audition the Classe amps before you buy, if that is still your interest. My guess is that the Classes will not be any "warmer" than the Simaudio you now own. Let us know what you do though. I am always interested in hearing about what other Thiel owners are up to.

Brent, I have the same speaker and amp. If additional warmth is what you want and if you are concerned with brightness then I would recommend a tube preamp. With that you could roll the tubes to tweak the sound even further to your liking.

Classe is a great match for Thiels. After I purchased my CS6's, I called many dealers that sold Thiels and amps such as Krell, Levinson, BAT and Classe. The general consensus was Classe. I also talked to Kathy at Thiel, the Classe CA400 was one of their reference amps. That sold me on the Classe. I use a CAT SL1 Ultimate for my preamp. The combination of the CAT and Classe is unbelievable. Very fast, musical and dynamic.

Brent,

How about Pass Labs x350? I think this might be a good match. I believe I heard the Thiel 2.3s with Classe many years ago, and was not particularly impressed. When I had the 2.3s, I had them with Krell, but that will also give a bright, up-front sound.

Brent -

Am running the Thiel 2.3's with Krell KSA-250, KRC-HR and the new Pure Note Ceruleans IC's & speaker cables. Yeah, some say "bright" - I like to characterize it as "razor sharp". Warm? - no. But, if you like to hear inside of the string - it's a hell of a rig! Good listening.

Jim