power for Thiel 3.5's


People I trust have suggested many, I think I've narrowed it down to the following: c-j 2300/A, 2500/A and Threshold s 500 II. The TacT gear sure is interesting to me as well. I could replace the supplied equalizer with a more modern one that would boost in sympathy with my room. There would be little fear of pushing the speaker beyond it's limitations as they were designed from the get go for such treatment. The best amps I've heard on these speakers are the Krell KMA 160's. I think with an appropriate line stage they may be out of my budget. I'd like to stay +/- $2500 for both pieces, maybe $1500 for the amp and $1000 for the line stage? This may seem silly, but my asthetic sense would prefer gear that doesn't have extras I won't use such as bi-wiring and balanced ins and outs. I also would prefer something with out fans. The Thiel 3.5's use an active equalizer with RCA only inputs and out puts that boosts frequencies below 70 Hz by up to 12 db. The equalizers input impedance is 91k Ohms and output impedance is 130 Ohms. The speakers are quoted as having a 4 Ohm nominal and 4 Ohm minimum impedance. Independent testing has shown this to be fairly accurate, with a small peak between 8 and 10 Ohms at about 33 Hz. The speakers are rated as 89 db in sensitivity. I'm presently using a solid state c-j amp that is rated at 80 watts per channel into 8 Ohms. My current roomis 23.5' X 11.75' with a ceiling that peaks at 14'. I place the speakers along the long wall firing across the short wall. I find that at louder volumes the sound begins to get hard. I think more power is needed. I don't listen at ridiculously loud volumes, but, I do like to play at a scale of volume that is appropriate to the room vis a vis what I suspect was the original venue. In other words louder than most folks but not as loud as many audiophiles. In my opinion the few problems that these speakers exhibit is a little courseness in the treble compared to the best modern designs, a little softness in the region between bass and mid range, a slight percussive ringing in the lowest bass and some limitations in ultimate loudness. This may seem as though I don't like them, nothing could be further from the truth. I've tried to aquire an after market equalizer (golden flutes) that might have offered the chance to use balanced gear, but have not had any luck as yet. Any suggestions would be appreciated, especially if you can consider a matching line stage.
unsound
Hi Unsound-
My vote goes to the Threshold.
My S/300 was by far the best amp I used with my 3.5's
You know the 2 others.:~)
I currently have two pairs of Thiel speakers and have owned them in the past. So you could say I am familiar with the Thiels. I would look into the Threshold T-400 ($1,600-1,800)power amp mated with the Threshold T-3 ($800-900) pre amp. They will end your search and allow you to sit back and enjoy the music. Good luck with your search.
I have been using the cs3.5 without the equilizer for years with a much much more neutral sound. My amp is a tube power 100 watts ARC, pre is AI M3, and an ARC cd2 and VPI MK 4 table with Benz cartridge as source. There is plenty of volume and low frequency, treble is crisp, voice and mid range is sweet and not bright at all. I also have a big room 30' x 25' with vaulted ceiling. Previously I have used a Counterpoint SA220 modified amp, and have good results, but I prefer the ARC tube amp as I can switch tubes for tuning the sound. Good luck to you!
I'll relate that I listened to a pair of Thiel CS3.5s at Innovative Audio with the Krell KSA 80 amp I wound up buying for my Duntechs about 15 years ago. I thought it sounded fine, and I knew for my Duntechs a solid-state amp was what I wanted. As I was leaving a customer came in and listened to those same Thiels with a Conrad Johnson Premier 3 or 5 amp (whatever their top of the line at the time was). I think that was the moment I first realized just how good tubed amplification is--the midrange was absolutely gorgeous. I have never heard the Thiels sound better than that, either before or since. If you're not adverse to a tubed amplifier, and can live without ultimate control or extension in the bass, I would consider going that route. If not, the Connie J solid state might be a good, though perhaps a bit polite, match.
I owned 3.6s and had a two year problem with them drilling holes in my ears. The speakers were great but my ARC LS2B was on the bright side and not a good match. I got a Sonic Frontiers Line3 and the speakers got much better. Although I've never used Threshold gear or auditioned it I would warn you to go tube pre and amp if all else is equal. The Thiel's need a warmer set of electronics...do stay away from anything that is described as bright analytical etched etc with these speakers. (I am not a tube guy perse since I currently don't own any tube electrons except an ARC PH3 phono pre.)