"ngslg" wrote in message
oups.com...
I am considering to buy the Thiel CS1.6 so would like some opinions. I
listened to them at a shop which hooks up the Thiel CS1.6 to AVI Lab
Seris Integrated amp. I felt that CS1.6 sounded real good and had a
decent bass even though it's 2-way. However, I find that some music
can get a bit bright.

1) What is a good pairing of an integrated amp with CS1.6? Is AVI a
good choice?

2) I am also considering the B&W 804 (but using the Arcam A80). With
these 2 pairings, which speakers should I be considering?

3) Before I set my mind of Thiel and B&W, with the similar price
range, are there any other speakers that I can consider?


Thiel's are time and phase coherent so they mate well with amps which sound
"coherent". And they can be mercilessly revealing on the high end if an amp
is at all "bright". I would look for an integrated with a fair amount of
power, and a slightly "dark" but highly musical ("rounded") sound. The
NAD's come to mind. Perhaps a Conrad-Johnson. Or a Naim.
Theil's generally sound good (but quite different) with both tubes and
solid-state. In general, they seem very favorably disposed to tubes,
perhaps because they are time and phase aligned and seem to reveal the
"dimensionality" that tubes tend to impart. On the other hand, a solid
state amp will bring out their dynamic ability and lower bass punch, to the
degree it is present.

I'd try to listen to them with a variety of amps before you decide.

Harry (who runs five full range Thiels in a multi-channel music setup).