With an MSRP of 4500 each in standard configuration, or 4800 each in performance configuration- the Enterprise carries a hefty $$load. Having used them during CES as subwoofer amps, they are certainly beefy, and shouldn't have any problems running the Aerials.
However, Steve's coment that Theta gives ATI a high-end line is not accurate. ATI as a brand may be viewed as "mid-level", but their performance is actually anything-but. Since I'm unfamiliar with the design of the Aerials- are they bi-amp capable? Is the low-pass crossover passive? If so, you could get the ATI 3002 that carries an MSRP of $1995 each, and have 300W for the top-end AND 300W for the bottom-end of each speaker for half the money of an Enterprise (and they're also fully-differential, just like the Enterprise). The amps were designed by 2 different people, and follow 2 different philosophies- but I'd be willing to bet that there's very little performance difference between the 2 amps.
ATI has not had the benefit of the "legendary" reputation-building power of Stereophile reviews, or The Absolute Sound, or any of those rags- but these are the same people that designed/built SAE (prior to the sale to the Japanese in the 80s). And there are some pretty serious companies that feel that ATI has their act together enough to build amps for them....might be worth the listen.
the AT3000 series ranges in price from $1995 for 2 channels up to $3995 for seven channels rack-mount or standard mount.
I'm sure that there's folks here that will argue the point that a simple-looking black box couldn't possibly sound as good as the venerable Enterprise; but I promise it can give it a run for its money...and at half the price.
BUT, if you want the Enterprise- go for it. THETA IS NOT GOING ANYWHERE, they will be around for quite some time, and the amps are practically bullet-proof (and make great space-heaters
).
I guess I just don't understand where the trepidation comes from regarding Theta, the amps are anything-but obsolete, the one preamp they have currently is long-in-the-tooth but is still one of the best-sounding out there (actually neutral- no sound of its own), the company is striving to get 2 brand-new products to market, AND they've been around for something like 10 years (or more)- meanwhile how many companies do you see each year at CEDIA or CES that "almost" have product and are in their first year...then you never see them again?
Yeah Theta's had a pretty bad past couple years, and have fallen behind the curve with technology- but that ONLY applies to the ONE processor they currently sell, not to any of their other products (most of which are amplifiers). The Gen VIII is perfectly fine, and doesn't at this point require any upgrade. Meanwhile the Dreadnaught II, Intrepid, Citadel 1.5, and Enterprise are every bit as viable now as they were when they were introduced.
Dan