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Tube Amp with Thiel 2.4s

75.164.167.154
Posted on June 5, 2016 at 09:06:30
kiratobias
Audiophile

Posts: 72
Location: Pacific NW
Joined: February 11, 2004
 Looking for either an integrated or amplifier with a budget of around $2,000. Current preamp is Emotiva XSP-1 with The Upgrade Company SE modification and a Sim Audio W-5 amp.

Thinking seriously about a Jolida 1000BRC integrated or possibly just the 1000 amplifier. Having a hard time getting over the power specs for the seemingly infinite number of Primaluna integrateds/amps. Rogue is an option in this price range but since I am looking at used pieces there is not much currently available. Seeing some older VTL models on A'Gon in the low $2,000s. Suggestions/opinions?

 

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RE: Tube Amp with Thiel 2.4s, posted on June 5, 2016 at 11:40:22
mkuller
Audiophile

Posts: 38130
Location: SF Bay Area
Joined: April 22, 2003
 ...a friend loves his MC275 with them.

 

RE: Tube Amp with Thiel 2.4s, posted on June 5, 2016 at 12:42:15
fantja
Audiophile

Posts: 15518
Location: Alabama
Joined: September 11, 2010
 kiratobias-

I,too, am looking for an amp to power my 2.4 SE loudspeakers.
How do you like the Simaudio? What cables/cords are you using?

 

RE: Tube Amp with Thiel 2.4s, posted on June 5, 2016 at 13:07:59
AbeCollins
Audiophile

Posts: 46278
Location: USA
Joined: June 22, 2001
Contributor
  Since: February 2, 2002
One of my most awesome sounding setups was the Manley Neo-Classic 250 monoblocks driving my Thiel CS2.4 speakers. Glorious EL34 sound complimenting the detail and clarity of the Thiels.

My other setup had the Rogue Cronus Magnum (w/KT120 tubes) driving the Thiels, also quite nice! I had the same Rogue amp with EL34's and it wasn't enough. It seems that I had to get over a certain power threshold for the Thiels to come alive. They do quite nicely with about 100wpc or more of vacuum tube power.





 

RE: Tube Amp with Thiel 2.4s, posted on June 5, 2016 at 15:49:55
kiratobias
Audiophile

Posts: 72
Location: Pacific NW
Joined: February 11, 2004
 The W-5 is the best solid state amp I have ever owned. All cabling is Morrow Audio.

 

RE: Tube Amp with Thiel 2.4s, posted on June 5, 2016 at 17:59:09
DKL
Audiophile

Posts: 1046
Location: Deland, FL
Joined: November 20, 2001
 The Balanced Audio Technology (BAT) VK300x SE is another good option if you're looking to consolidate with an integrated. I've owned both Rogue and BAT and liked them both with various speakers (including Merlin, Tyler Acoustics, Soundlab Dynastats, Gershman Acoustics, etc.)

 

RE: Tube Amp with Thiel 2.4s, posted on June 5, 2016 at 19:12:25
fantja
Audiophile

Posts: 15518
Location: Alabama
Joined: September 11, 2010
 TY- kiratobias.
Keep me posted as a fellow Thiel lover.

 

RE: Tube Amp with Thiel 2.4s, posted on June 5, 2016 at 19:13:17
fantja
Audiophile

Posts: 15518
Location: Alabama
Joined: September 11, 2010
 TY- DKL.
I have been looking for info/opinions on B.A.T. gear on Thiel speakers.
What cables/cords are you using?

 

RE: Tube Amp with Thiel 2.4s, posted on June 5, 2016 at 20:13:35
DKL
Audiophile

Posts: 1046
Location: Deland, FL
Joined: November 20, 2001
 Hi fantja,

I'm currently using Audience AU24SE speaker cables and interconnects - very happy with them

 

What Are Your Sources?, posted on June 5, 2016 at 21:33:50
Luminator
Audiophile

Posts: 7327
Location: Bay Area
Joined: December 11, 2000



On the surface, I see nothing wrong, for the time being, with your Emotiva/Simaudio amplification. Assuming your room can contain the Thiel CS2.4 (they needs lot of room, and you must listen from afar), their resolution places stringent demands on the system's source components.

My Thiel CS2.4 easily let us hear the:

Cary CD303/300's horrible overall sound, with a lack in focus, transparency, and true timbre
dCS Puccini's refined, deep, but somewhat mystical presentation
EAR Acute's most organic rendering of instrumental textures
Esoteric DV-60's overrated, artificial, unconvincing textures
Krell KAV-250cd/2's gray textures, with tight, powerful, but too prevalent bass
Krell KAV-280cd's general good sound, marred by a misty, kind of nebulous treble
Mark Levinson No. 390S' overall excellence, but lack of soundstage volume and breadth, compared to their Nos. 37/360S
Meridian G08's glossy sound with small but focused images
Simaudio Andromeda's state-of-the-art sonics
Simaudio Supernova's drop down from the Andromeda
Wadia 581i's big-boned sound
Wadia 781i's refinement over the 581i

Differences between Basis 1400 and 2000
Differences between Graham Robin and Basis Vector 1
Differences between Rega Planar 3 and P9
Differences between various Koetsu cartridges
Differences between Benz Ebony LP, Koetsu Jade Platinum, and Lyra Titan

And once in a while, some affordable source comes along, and, despite the Thiel CS2.4 showing you what's wrong, you go, "Hey, that's not half-bad," and actually have fun with the music. Such was the case with the Adcom GCD-700 CD changer. And the Eastern Electric Minimax CDP, despite its high output, was a lot of fun.

We tried dozens of preamps, power amps, and integrated amps with the Thiel C2.4. It demands an amp which has current. So, despite the little Wright Sound WPA3.5, at times, sounding so real [check out how it preserved the Thompson Twins' "Doctor! Doctor!"], it just didn't have the control of other amps. And the biggest surprise may have been the little Decware Taboo, with its excellent across-the-board sonics.

Avoid the Conrad-Johnson MV-55 and MV-60SE at all costs. They cower at the sight of the Thiel CS2.4.

But for now, you can't think about amps (keep the Simaudio W-5 for now; if you want to upgrade it, try some HFT Silverstar or Supreme fuses), until you have addressed and optimized your source components. That may not be the answer Stereotypical Audiophiles want to hear, but it's the truth.

-Lummy The Loch Monster

 

Have You Used an audiodharma Cable Cooker on those Audience Cables? , posted on June 5, 2016 at 21:54:02
Luminator
Audiophile

Posts: 7327
Location: Bay Area
Joined: December 11, 2000
 My colleagues and I have Cooked Audience's older products. As it does with all other cables, the Cooker reduces grain, which allows the cable to track better the signal it's fed.

In the case of these Audience products, which were designed to be uncolored, they became more so. With the Cooked Audience cables, we were better able to hear what was really going on.

For starters, click on the link below.

-Lummy The Loch Monster

 

RE: What Are Your Sources?, posted on June 6, 2016 at 06:59:34
AbeCollins
Audiophile

Posts: 46278
Location: USA
Joined: June 22, 2001
Contributor
  Since: February 2, 2002
 You too? I had the Adcom GCD-700 CD changer. Before computer audio became popular I would sometimes load up the GCD-700 with discs and put it on random play as it fed the DAC input into my old Accuphase DP-65v CDP.

My first tube amp was the CJ Premier 11a which was lovely with the smaller Thiel CS1.5 or Tannoy Definition D500's but not nearly as robust as the less expensive pair of AES/Cary SixPac monoblocks.

The SixPacs stayed and I sold the CJ. But when I moved up to the Thiel CS2.4 even the SixPacs that I loved so much weren't enough to power the larger Thiels. The Manley Neo-Classic 250 monoblocks had no problems at all with the Thiel CS2.4. And surprisingly even the Rogue Cronus Magnum (w/KT120 tubes) did a fine job.

 

RE: What Are Your Sources?, posted on June 6, 2016 at 08:54:49
Awe-d-o-file
Dealer

Posts: 21037
Location: 50 miles west of DC
Joined: January 10, 2004
 Interesting you both liked the 700. We sold a lot of those than had people on lists that wanted one if we got one in trade when they stopped making it.They were good.

ET


ET

"If at first you don't succeed, keep on sucking till you do suck seed" - Curly Howard 1936

 

RE: Have You Used an audiodharma Cable Cooker on those Audience Cables? , posted on June 6, 2016 at 09:49:37
DKL
Audiophile

Posts: 1046
Location: Deland, FL
Joined: November 20, 2001
 No, but I'm sure the cooker would make my SE versions even more transparent, based on past comments I've read.

 

RE: What Are Your Sources?, posted on June 6, 2016 at 10:11:32
AbeCollins
Audiophile

Posts: 46278
Location: USA
Joined: June 22, 2001
Contributor
  Since: February 2, 2002
The 700 was reliable and easy. It even sounded pretty decent on it's own but since I had the Accuphase DP-65v I figured I would use the GCD-700 as a transport feeding the DP-65v DAC section. I ran that GCD-700 pretty hard as it was my main source.



 

RE: What Are Your Sources?, posted on June 6, 2016 at 14:58:46
Awe-d-o-file
Dealer

Posts: 21037
Location: 50 miles west of DC
Joined: January 10, 2004
 Yes we noticed almost no laser failures with them. A real workhorse.

ET

ET

"If at first you don't succeed, keep on sucking till you do suck seed" - Curly Howard 1936

 

RE: Tube Amp with Thiel 2.4s, posted on June 6, 2016 at 18:43:31
fantja
Audiophile

Posts: 15518
Location: Alabama
Joined: September 11, 2010
 Very nice! DKL
it is good to read that Audience is a sonic match w/ Thiel speakers.
PLease comment on your BAT amp and the speakers.

 

RE: What Are Your Sources?, posted on June 6, 2016 at 18:44:43
fantja
Audiophile

Posts: 15518
Location: Alabama
Joined: September 11, 2010
 Lummy-
outstanding overview! Did you ever try a NAD cd player w/ the Thiel ?

 

RE: Have You Used an audiodharma Cable Cooker on those Audience Cables? , posted on June 6, 2016 at 18:45:23
fantja
Audiophile

Posts: 15518
Location: Alabama
Joined: September 11, 2010
 Lummy-
I like the DV-60 for SACD -only duty.

 

RE: What Are Your Sources?, posted on June 6, 2016 at 18:46:39
fantja
Audiophile

Posts: 15518
Location: Alabama
Joined: September 11, 2010
 Abe-

I am still considering an Accuphase for CD-only duty.
Yes, until I find a worthy CD+SACD spinner, I will keep the (2) formats separated.

 

RE: Tube Amp with Thiel 2.4s, posted on June 6, 2016 at 18:47:23
fantja
Audiophile

Posts: 15518
Location: Alabama
Joined: September 11, 2010
 I read, recently, about a Thiel lover and his Manley Stingray amps being a sonic match.

 

RE: What Are Your Sources?, posted on June 6, 2016 at 18:48:13
fantja
Audiophile

Posts: 15518
Location: Alabama
Joined: September 11, 2010
 Abe-
I may have to look into the Adcom spinner for RBCD duty. Thanks! for sharing.

 

BAT VK-300x SE + Thiel 2.4, posted on June 6, 2016 at 19:32:07
Luminator
Audiophile

Posts: 7327
Location: Bay Area
Joined: December 11, 2000



9 years ago, I started blogging about the BAT VK-300x SE:

Part 1
Part 2
Part 3

I never did complete the review. Nevertheless, I did use the VK-300x SE with my Thiel CS2.4. That combination does have potential.

First of all, we have to assume that you have top-notch and copacetic source components.

The VK-300x SE does a terrific job of preserving soundstage depth. That has obvious benefits for orchestral works. But you'd be surprised at what a plus that is for popular music. That separation of images in the depth plane gives music breathing room. With any studio recording, your mind is then free to explore, and get lost in, the music.

The VK-300x SE doesn't harden textures. This can mitigate the CS2.4's sometimes static and detail-at-the-expense-of-expression personality.

Sorry, I do not have any photos, showing the VK-300x SE and CS2.4 together.

In terms of sonic match with the CS2.4, I preferred the VK-300x SE over the Jeff Rowland Continuum 250 (too dry and sterile), Mark Levinson No. 383 (lifeless), and Simaudio I-7 (a mild warmth spread over the entire spectrum becomes fatiguing).

-Lummy The Loch Monster

 

NAD + Thiel CS2.4, posted on June 6, 2016 at 19:43:06
Luminator
Audiophile

Posts: 7327
Location: Bay Area
Joined: December 11, 2000



In 2004, I used some slim-line NAD DVD player, in systems with the Thiel CS2.4. Sorry, I do not know or recall the NAD's model number.

In the mid-90s, I did still have my NAD 5000 CD player. Yes, I did use it in systems with the Thiel CS.5 and CS1.5.

Also from the 90s, I vaguely recall using an NAD integrated amp (314?) with my Thiels.

Anyway, you can't really make out the Thiel CS2.4 in this photo. But it was used with the Esoteric DV-60 and NuForce 9SE. Awful, awful, awful combination. Sterile, whitish, artificial.

 

RE: What Are Your Sources?, posted on June 6, 2016 at 20:56:34
fantja
Audiophile

Posts: 15518
Location: Alabama
Joined: September 11, 2010
 Nice pic! Lumy

back in those days, did you not opt for the "outriggers" for those 2.4s ?

 

RE: BAT VK-300x SE + Thiel 2.4, posted on June 6, 2016 at 20:59:44
fantja
Audiophile

Posts: 15518
Location: Alabama
Joined: September 11, 2010
 Another great pic! Lummy
this is exactly what I am looking for a comparison (of sorts) between integrated amps. I like the fact that you had B.A.T. Simaudio and Mark Levinson along for the audiophile ride.

 

RE: NAD + Thiel CS2.4, posted on June 6, 2016 at 21:02:46
fantja
Audiophile

Posts: 15518
Location: Alabama
Joined: September 11, 2010
 Lummy-
to re-cap;
a few years ago I got my 1st taste of Thiel 2.4 speakers w/ one of the Creek integrated amps (older) and a NAD 565BEE cd player w/ Audioquest cabling. I was hooked immediately!

On my integrated short-list to consider;

Creek Destiny
ML No. 585
B.A.T.

 

Outriggers, posted on June 6, 2016 at 21:36:37
Luminator
Audiophile

Posts: 7327
Location: Bay Area
Joined: December 11, 2000



On my floors, outriggers were not necessary, for the Thiel CS2.4.

If I had kept the CS.5 or CS1.5, I would have and should have gotten custom 6" to 12" stands. Sound Anchors make dedicated Thiel stands, but only do them in ugly black. Phooey.

 

Creek Destiny Integrated Amp, posted on June 6, 2016 at 21:40:43
Luminator
Audiophile

Posts: 7327
Location: Bay Area
Joined: December 11, 2000



In AA's reviews section, see mine of the Creek Destiny integrated amp.

 

RE: BAT VK-300x SE + Thiel 2.4, posted on June 7, 2016 at 05:36:04
AbeCollins
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Posts: 46278
Location: USA
Joined: June 22, 2001
Contributor
  Since: February 2, 2002
 I've always wanted to try the BAT VK-300SE or the new VK-3000SE. I had the Jeff Rowland Concentra II for a while which was OK. Your description of the Mark Levinson No. 383 (lifeless) mirrors mine. A lovely amp to look at but that's about it. I always felt the No. 383 is what they use to power elevator music. ;-)

BAT's new VK-3000SE



 

RE: BAT VK-300x SE + Thiel 2.4, posted on June 7, 2016 at 05:51:00
fantja
Audiophile

Posts: 15518
Location: Alabama
Joined: September 11, 2010
 Abe-

what is/are the difference(s) between the 300/3000 SE?

 

RE: Creek Destiny Integrated Amp, posted on June 7, 2016 at 06:32:31
fantja
Audiophile

Posts: 15518
Location: Alabama
Joined: September 11, 2010
 Many Thanks! for the Destiny review- Lummy.

back in those days, which cd player, was the best sonic match w/ the Creek?

 

RE: BAT VK-300x SE + Thiel 2.4, posted on June 7, 2016 at 16:00:56
AbeCollins
Audiophile

Posts: 46278
Location: USA
Joined: June 22, 2001
Contributor
  Since: February 2, 2002
I don't know the answer to your question except that the VK-3000 SE replaces the previous model VK-300 SE.


 

RE: BAT VK-300x SE + Thiel 2.4, posted on June 7, 2016 at 17:29:23
DKL
Audiophile

Posts: 1046
Location: Deland, FL
Joined: November 20, 2001
 I owned two BAT's previously, and would have to say they were runners up only to my current Neodio NR600 Signature. I didn't pair the BATs with Thiel speakers, but they did power various offerings from Tyler Acoustics, Joseph Audio, and Merlin. The fondest and possibly most profound experience, oddly enough, was when listening to local FM stations over my MD-102 tuner from Magnum Dynalab. The staging and decay were eerily lifelike.

When I was still in the mode of "auditioning by owning" a series of integrated amps several years ago, I corralled, at various intervals, lightly used versions of the Ayre AX-7e, YBA Passion 100, Coda Continuum Ultra, Electrocompaniet EC-3, Primare I-30, Simaudio I-5, Audio Analogue Puccine SE (real sleeper), Accuphase E-350, Plinius 8150, Cayin 265Ai (Class A), and a few others that obviously didn't leave an impression. The BAT, to my ears and through my system, was easily the most musical, non-fatiguing, and effortless sounding amp of the bunch. These amps were rotated among my separates (Bel Canto SEP-2 and Belles 150 Reference, Muse 160, Conrad Johnson PV-11) for reference purposes. If I hadn't discovered the Neodio, I'd live happily ever after with the BAT. I even preferred the BAT over my one-time combo of Rogue 99 Magnum preamp and Model 88 power amp.

 

Not Creek's Own Destiny CDP, posted on June 7, 2016 at 23:36:53
Luminator
Audiophile

Posts: 7327
Location: Bay Area
Joined: December 11, 2000



Sorry man, I've been busy, answering audiophiles' emails. For years, I'd average 6 different 'philes a day. But lately, it's been about twice that. The majority of those audiophiles thank me for sheer variety of popular music, over on Rocky Road. The rest stay on topic, including the Thiel CS2.4.

Because it curtails the treble, I cannot recommend the Creek Destiny CD player.

You know what? If you're looking at one-box CD players, the Creek Destiny integrated amp had the most fun with the CAL Icon Mk.II HDCD. And you didn't need expensive cables, either. Just scour the used market (or your closet), and get the old Kimber PowerKord and original XLO Reference Type 1. Then stick everything on the Cable Cooker, and voila!

Another option is to get a CAL Delta CD transport, one of today's DACs, and a decent digital cable. This is especially true, if you are a pop music fan, on account of the Delta's small but focused imaging, top end extension, and excellent PRAT.

Do yourself a favor. If you don't have it, go out and find Marty Friedman's Dragon's Kiss CD. Then play track 6, "Jewel." With this track, co-written with Jason Becker, Stereotypical Audiophile CD players fall flat on their face. Listen how these SA products muffle expression, lop off extension, squash dynamics, distort textures and timbres, blunt the snare drum, and blur the imaging.

The CAL Delta plus an honest and clean-sounding DAC will convey the emotion, breath, and gist of "Jewel." Assuming you have decent interconnects and powercords, the Creek Destiny integrated amp will preserve those vibes.

All right, back to answering emails...

 

RE: BAT VK-300x SE + Thiel 2.4, posted on June 8, 2016 at 07:14:15
fantja
Audiophile

Posts: 15518
Location: Alabama
Joined: September 11, 2010
 Much Thanks! DKL

 

RE: Not Creek's Own Destiny CDP, posted on June 8, 2016 at 07:15:37
fantja
Audiophile

Posts: 15518
Location: Alabama
Joined: September 11, 2010
 isn't CAL out of business? Are there service/parts still aval for these spinners?

 

RE: Not Creek's Own Destiny CDP, posted on June 8, 2016 at 07:16:44
fantja
Audiophile

Posts: 15518
Location: Alabama
Joined: September 11, 2010
 Lummy-

did you like the CAL over the Adcom spinner?

 

RE: Not Creek's Own Destiny CDP, posted on June 8, 2016 at 19:07:00
kiratobias
Audiophile

Posts: 72
Location: Pacific NW
Joined: February 11, 2004
 Love how these threads get hijacked into something totally off the original intent.

Don't want a tube input / solid state output integrated like the BAT. Been there, done that with other hybrid integrateds. Looking strictly for tubed output.

 

Apples & Oranges, posted on June 8, 2016 at 21:52:38
Luminator
Audiophile

Posts: 7327
Location: Bay Area
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That's not a proper comparison. The CAL was a $1495 single-disc player. The Adcom was a mass-market $700 CD changer.

For those of you who follow my homepage, starting in 2009, I covered the CAL Icon Mk.II Power Boss.

In March 2012, I did an extensive review of the Adcom GCD-700. My readers were hootin' and hollerin', over the lingerie.

If you are paying attention to what other posters with experience have written, the Adcom GCD-700 makes a really fun transport.

One thing I neglected to blog about was after-market fuses. Because the GCD-700 has 5 or 6, the cost of the fuses might exceed that of the GCD-700 itself!

Again, assuming we have matched the speaker to the room, the most important factor is the source. The source sets the table, and everything else downstream only introduces errors. SAs rarely grasp this concept, and that is why they keep chasing their tails.

Anyway, in the photo above, you can barely make out the Thiel CS2.4. It was at the receiving end of a system comprising the Cary CD-303/300 (awful); Simaudio P-8 (at its price, its slight warmth precludes it from getting a recommendation); and Meridian G57 (not bad; would prefer to be used with other Meridian G-series components). Oh, and can you make out the slim-line NAD DVD player?

 

RE: Not Creek's Own Destiny CDP, posted on June 9, 2016 at 10:42:09
fantja
Audiophile

Posts: 15518
Location: Alabama
Joined: September 11, 2010
 Not a hijack, just a very nice flow of info.
So, which amp are you going to buy?

 

RE: Apples & Oranges, posted on June 9, 2016 at 10:43:17
fantja
Audiophile

Posts: 15518
Location: Alabama
Joined: September 11, 2010
 Nice pic! Lummy
Is CAL still in business? If not, what happened to this company?

 

RE: What Are Your Sources?, posted on June 9, 2016 at 13:45:40
morricab
Distributor or Rep

Posts: 9174
Location: switzerland
Joined: April 1, 2005
 A friend of mine has Thiel CS3.7s and they are just as (or more) revealing as you say the 2.4s are (I believe you BTW. I think Thiel are one of the few accurate box speakers).

We have found the following:

SS amps generally don't work so well, some hybrids are ok though.

Many push/pull tube amps turn to mush on them or they sound glassy and hard when even pushed a bit.

Robust powered SETs can sound VERY nice as can some Push/pull triode amps.

From what I have heard at his place the best sounding amps we tried so far are the following:

Cayin D9084 SET monoblocks: These are pretty large 845 based monos from china but sound quite robust and with great imaging/soundstaging and bass. Tonal balance is just about perfect with a slight softness in the highs but not dark balanced. Very dynamic.

KR VA350i: Another big bottle SET (T100 tube from KR...kind of like a 211) Up to clipping superb balance of tone and separation of instruments...very big and well focused soundstage. Very dynamic

Wall Audio Opus M50 SET monos. 35 watts, parallel SET using the Russian 6C33C output tube. Sounded "ok" on the 8 ohm tap but a bit like it was out of gas. Switched to the 4 ohm tap and WHOA! Now they were rocking with great bass and a rich but natural tone and high resolution from top to bottom.

NAT Symbiosis SE: 100 watts of Pure CLass A hybrid. A 150lb. monster that runs hot as hell but after about 2 hours makes a nearly psychedelic experience. Great bass contol a true set mid and slightly soft highs. Soundstage and imaging precision among the best. Very dynamic but only after an hour or more of playing...before that a bit reticent.

VAC 30/30 MK2: One of the very best Push/pull amps I have heard. 32 watts of Class A joy. Falls just below the two above in terms of overall coherence and soundstage clarity. Tone is about equal to the best above. Great dynamics and bass and never seems to run out of steam...amazing in a 30 watt amp.

Lamm M1.1 monoblocks: Class A hybrids from Lamm. At first we didn't think these sounded all that good...there was a hardness just underneath the velvet that made them sound subtly aggressive. However, on the day of the shootout they sounded suddenly A LOT better. Maybe the time of day, power cleanliness affected these amps more than one would suspect? Still not at the level of those above but good enough to be called real high end.

Octave MRE130 monos. Very clean and detailed but tonally on the "analytical" side of the spectrum. This is exaccerbated by sources with similar character. Turned a bit hard and glassy when pushed a bit and this despite having quite a bit of power on paper. Not bad but tonally off the mark compared to those above.

McIntosh MC501 monos: Gray tone, decent soundstage, overcontrolled unthriling dynamics and bass that lacks texture and nuance. Nothing untoward but a boring listen to be sure.

KR Audio VA880: Don't know what happened here but bass was uncontrolled and the top rolled off. Simply didn't work but I am sure this amp can sound good on an easier load.

 

Forgot a couple of amps, posted on June 9, 2016 at 13:52:29
morricab
Distributor or Rep

Posts: 9174
Location: switzerland
Joined: April 1, 2005
PureSound A30: This amp worked Great on Thiel CS3.7s! In UL mode it makes 30 Class A watts and it sounded best on the 8 ohm tap (we tried it first on 4 ohm and on a whim tried 8...blam much better). Nice balance, good bass, rich tone but not dark or rolled off.

Then we switched to triode mode (a "whopping" 18 watts) and you know what it worked fine and even sounded better than the UL mode! A real surprise.

JJ 322: This is a parallel 300B SET of generous proportions (nearly 100lbs!) because of its rather large output transformers. Now, we were thinking because of the Puresound doing the job with 18 triode watts that this would work too. Well, it didn't make a mess of things but it wasn't really lively. It just didn't like the impedance demands for current I think. One easier speakers, like Reference 3as, it rocks the house and with my Odeon horns (both pairs) it delivers some serious resolution and magic. So, chalk it up to a mismatch that the amp really needs a easier speaker.

 

RE: BAT VK-300x SE + Thiel 2.4, posted on June 10, 2016 at 06:50:44
AbeCollins
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Location: USA
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Contributor
  Since: February 2, 2002
I went through a short list of "auditioning by owning" solid-state integrated amps for my office which is also my main listening room these days. I ended up keeping the the Ayre AX-7e.

The 60wpc Ayre AX-7e powers a pair of Tannoy Definition D500 speakers but I have yet to try it on my Thiel CS2.4 which are stored in the basement. I know that my 100wpc Rogue Cronus Magnum tube amp will easily drive the Thiels but I suspect the Ayre might struggle.



 

RE: BAT VK-300x SE + Thiel 2.4, posted on June 10, 2016 at 11:59:59
DKL
Audiophile

Posts: 1046
Location: Deland, FL
Joined: November 20, 2001
 Bobby Palchovic (RIP) of Merlin was a big fan of the Ayre. It sounded fine with my Merlins, but I missed the tube preamp finesse of my separates. I did prefer the Ayre to the YBA Passion and most of the other SS amps I owned back then. The hieroglyphic buttons are cool too :)

 

RE: Forgot a couple of amps, posted on June 11, 2016 at 12:22:38
fantja
Audiophile

Posts: 15518
Location: Alabama
Joined: September 11, 2010
 Thanks! for sharing- morricab.

 

RE: BAT VK-300x SE + Thiel 2.4, posted on June 11, 2016 at 12:23:41
fantja
Audiophile

Posts: 15518
Location: Alabama
Joined: September 11, 2010
 Thanks! for sharing- Abe & DKL.

 

RE: NAD + Thiel CS2.4, posted on June 16, 2016 at 01:28:56
rich121
Audiophile

Posts: 5401
Location: Yakima, Washington
Joined: March 8, 2003
 NAD 5000 the worse CD player I have ever owned!
It's all about the music!

Support Asylum Trader

 

RE: NAD 5000 worst CD player I ever owned, posted on June 16, 2016 at 01:29:43
rich121
Audiophile

Posts: 5401
Location: Yakima, Washington
Joined: March 8, 2003
 nt
It's all about the music!

Support Asylum Trader

 

RE: NAD 5000 worst CD player I ever owned, posted on June 16, 2016 at 19:43:55
fantja
Audiophile

Posts: 15518
Location: Alabama
Joined: September 11, 2010
 Thanks! for sharing- Rich.

 

RE: NAD 5000 worst CD player I ever owned, posted on July 21, 2016 at 20:44:05
jhrlrd
Audiophile

Posts: 135
Joined: October 21, 2014
 Believe it or not, my experience with the Jolida 3502 was really quite good with the Thiel 2.2, but only with the KT150's.
With the EL34s, bass was flabby as soon as I turned it up. Also, better still, run as an amp only W/separate pre.
As an integrated, it was pretty good still, but a little too much on the tubey side.
I do think the 2.4s are little more power hungry than the 2.2s, but the 3502 is 65w so it shouldn't be a problem.
I too am looking for an amp similar to what you are, as I don't use the preamp stage of the Jolida, bit of a waste.

Anyway, the 3502 is versatile, taking many tubes. one of the few that take KT150's that I know of.
Anyone hear the Allnic A-2000 or Dennis Had fire bottle with KT150s?

 

RE: NAD 5000 worst CD player I ever owned, posted on July 22, 2016 at 06:13:38
fantja
Audiophile

Posts: 15518
Location: Alabama
Joined: September 11, 2010
 Thanks! for sharing- jhrlrd

 

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