[Basil65]

Looking for a good SS amp for my very difficult to drive Thiel 3.7s. I think a good dual mono could do the job. I was thinking ML532H, ClasseCA2300, Bryston4BSST2. The ML is a bit expensive and would probably be stretching my budget. Anybody have recommendations in the 5-8k price range? The sound has to be very smooth and round. No aggressive stuff please.

[vhiner]

I own the 3.7's and have tried a variety of amps with them in my home. I have used the CA-2300 and it was powerful enough but I had serious and numerous technical problems with it and didn't like the way Classe handled it and moved on. Before that, I owned the CA-2200 and it was great but lacked the power the Thiels really need to do their best. I found the Bryston line to be too bright for my tastes. I tried the latest Sanders Magtech, which at nearly 1000watts had the juice, but found it to be a somewhat boring.

This Goldilocks story ended when I hooked up my current reference, the Conrad-Johnson Premier SA350. Finally, music. It has everything a Thiel owner could love: tons of burly, high quality power, lightning speed, romance, midrange and silky smooth top end. Thiels always tell the truth and this amp is a classic. They couldn't make one now for less than $15K. Smooth and round?  Lew Johnson said the 350 was 90 percent of their tube monoblocs. Nothing aggressive here.

If you find one for a decent price, pay whatever it takes to have it shipped carefully by freight. UPS and FedEx should never be allowed near one of these beauties. Read Jeff Dorgay's review in Tone. His description is spot on. It took the mighty Burmester to unseat the 350 as his reference.

I have also heard from people I trust that the Hegel 30 works quite well, but you are talking a lot of cabbage for that one.

[SoCalWJS]

Hegel - that was the one I was trying to think of when I first read this thread.

Admittedly it was show conditions, but it was the best I've heard the 3.7's sound at a show.

[Austin08]

Friend of my use a pair of McCormark DNA-750 with his Thiel CS7.2 and they are playing well with each others. I think The DNA750 would be a good contender too.

[Phil A]

I use a Modwright KWA150SE to drive my 3.7s.  I had a Bryston 14BSST but the Modwright drives them better and does not get nearly as hot as the Bryston did. I'd think that the Bryston squared would be better.  I had Thiel 7.2s before the 3.7s and they were harder to drive.

[Basil65]

A local shop was suggesting the Ayre V-5XE. Anybody ever heard it matched with Thiels?

I could also get my hands on a pre-owned Krell 302E. Wonder what that would sound like with the CS3.7s?

Thanks all for the comments and feedback.

[Basil65]

I own the 3.7's and have tried a variety of amps with them in my home. I have used the CA-2300 and it was powerful enough but I had serious and numerous technical problems with it and didn't like the way Classe handled it and moved on. Before that, I owned the CA-2200 and it was great but lacked the power the Thiels really need to do their best. I found the Bryston line to be too bright for my tastes. I tried the latest Sanders Magtech, which at nearly 1000watts had the juice, but found it to be a somewhat boring.

This Goldilocks story ended when I hooked up my current reference, the Conrad-Johnson Premier SA350. Finally, music. It has everything a Thiel owner could love: tons of burly, high quality power, lightning speed, romance, midrange and silky smooth top end. Thiels always tell the truth and this amp is a classic. They couldn't make one now for less than $15K. Smooth and round?  Lew Johnson said the 350 was 90 percent of their tube monoblocs. Nothing aggressive here.

If you find one for a decent price, pay whatever it takes to have it shipped carefully by freight. UPS and FedEx should never be allowed near one of these beauties. Read Jeff Dorgay's review in Tone. His description is spot on. It took the mighty Burmester to unseat the 350 as his reference.

I have also heard from people I trust that the Hegel 30 works quite well, but you are talking a lot of cabbage for that one.

I was able to listen to the Classe CA-2300 at a local shop yesterday and it sounded really smooth: near was I was looking for. I think it could do really well with the Thiels. I hope the problems you've experienced are not indicative of the state of things at Classe, but this is not the first comment I've heard about quality issues they are having. Makes me hesitate a lot.

The CR SA350 is a really interesting suggestion. However, it might be difficult to find a used one. I'll keep my eyes peeled.

Many thanks for the feedback