theo714:
My opinion is that you need to be more thoughtful about what is happening in your system before putting the blame on your Thiel's. One thing is true: the Thiel are very revealing and they will voice whatever is coming to them. Let me share a recent experience I had that may be helpful.
I have had a pair of Thiel CS3.6's since about 2000, driving them until a few weeks ago with Manley Labs Ref 250 mono blocks, ARC Ref2 MKII pre, ARC PH3SE Phono stage, ARC CD3, VPI HW-19 Mk4, Linn LP12, Benz Ruby 2, Van Der Hul One, and Transparent Ref cables. I was happy for a long time with my collection of what I thought were quality CDs and LPs. A month ago, my system changed to Pass Labs X260.8's (new, not broken in), ARC Ref 5SE (used), ARC Ref 2SE (used), Ruby LPS, Lyra Atlas, and Cardas Clear Rev.1 cables (new). The Thiel's stayed. For the first several days, I did not like it. There was all kinds of distortion, dullness, very disappointing. After 3 weeks of playing, everything changed, but actually two things happened. On one hand, many of my recordings sounded wonderful, hugely better than before. On the other hand and to my disappointment, I discovered that some of my "audiophile" recordings are not as good as I thought. My new system is revealing the truth.
In your case, I would suggest that you investigate the issue more methodically. For instance, play a recording that you are satisfied with, and from your collection, play another recording with similar content that shows distortion. Can you isolate the problem to the type of music of frequency band, i.e., vocals, instrument highs, midrange, bass etc.?
It may be that your Thiel's need to be serviced, but something else may be the problem. I would not assume that your new components are fine. Are all your components broken in?
Finally, I don't believe the idea that when the 3.6's were designed the electronics were inferior and so the 3.6's are inferior.
Lucky for me, I have finally located a pair of Thiel CS3.7's that I will be receiving this coming week, and my 3.6's will need a new home.
My opinion is that you need to be more thoughtful about what is happening in your system before putting the blame on your Thiel's. One thing is true: the Thiel are very revealing and they will voice whatever is coming to them. Let me share a recent experience I had that may be helpful.
I have had a pair of Thiel CS3.6's since about 2000, driving them until a few weeks ago with Manley Labs Ref 250 mono blocks, ARC Ref2 MKII pre, ARC PH3SE Phono stage, ARC CD3, VPI HW-19 Mk4, Linn LP12, Benz Ruby 2, Van Der Hul One, and Transparent Ref cables. I was happy for a long time with my collection of what I thought were quality CDs and LPs. A month ago, my system changed to Pass Labs X260.8's (new, not broken in), ARC Ref 5SE (used), ARC Ref 2SE (used), Ruby LPS, Lyra Atlas, and Cardas Clear Rev.1 cables (new). The Thiel's stayed. For the first several days, I did not like it. There was all kinds of distortion, dullness, very disappointing. After 3 weeks of playing, everything changed, but actually two things happened. On one hand, many of my recordings sounded wonderful, hugely better than before. On the other hand and to my disappointment, I discovered that some of my "audiophile" recordings are not as good as I thought. My new system is revealing the truth.
In your case, I would suggest that you investigate the issue more methodically. For instance, play a recording that you are satisfied with, and from your collection, play another recording with similar content that shows distortion. Can you isolate the problem to the type of music of frequency band, i.e., vocals, instrument highs, midrange, bass etc.?
It may be that your Thiel's need to be serviced, but something else may be the problem. I would not assume that your new components are fine. Are all your components broken in?
Finally, I don't believe the idea that when the 3.6's were designed the electronics were inferior and so the 3.6's are inferior.
Lucky for me, I have finally located a pair of Thiel CS3.7's that I will be receiving this coming week, and my 3.6's will need a new home.