Thiel Owners

I just saw a pair of cs7’s pop up for sale. I’ve always wanted a pair if cs7.2’s. How big of a difference is there between the cs7’s and the cs7.2? I currently own cs2.3’s. I’m assuming the cs7’s are a big step up from the cs2.3?

Thanks for the response, that pretty much answers my question. I think I will stick with my 2.3’s for now. I am currently running a Primaluna tube preamp through a Belles150 a hot rod. Was getting the urge to move up the Belles line of amplifiers to see what my system is capable of. Don’t get me wrong, the hot rod sounds amazing but you know how it goes. I had my sights set on the new virtuoso, when the Cs7’s popped up and got me thinking. I could probably buy the Cs7’s and a used amp for the same or less than the Virtuoso.  Was wondering what would be the bigger step up.

Jafant,

I’m running Acoustic Zen Wow interconnects and DH labs Q10 speaker cables. Haven’t invested in power cables as of yet. Just added the Primaluna to the system a couple years ago when I moved into a bigger house with a room big enough to support serious listening. For about 17 plus years I was running my Shanling tube cd player straight into the Belles 150a hot rod, using the preamp in the Shanling. The improvements from adding the Primaluna were so great ,I started wondering what a better amp would do. 

Thoft,

I agree with you. When I visit the audio stores, I rarely hear Speakers that I like as much as Thiels. It just seems something is missing. I have listen to some really high-end, high dollar, systems locally and was thinking to myself “my system sounds better“. 
Jafant,
when I moved into my new house, I had a dedicated 20 amp line installed just for the power amp\stereo system. I run the Belles straight into the wall, and the rest of the system through a Panamax power conditioner. The Shandling has a pretty decent power cord, and I ended up with a spare one that I use on the Primaluna. Would like to eventually play with power cords to see if they make a difference in my system.

happy listening 

Marqmike,
thanks for the heads up, I’ll check out those power cords. That’s a nice sounding amp. Years ago when the first 150 reference came out, I did get to hear it and compare it to the hot rod. I immediately heard the difference. I haven’t been able to hear anything else from Belles since then because local shop stopped carrying the products. Thanks 

The biggest improvement to my system has been moving into a new room. We have a very large open basement and I made a theater room at one end. The Thiels are 13 feet apart, 3 feet from the rear walls, and 16 feet from my listening seat. The sound stage and imaging is glorious. The vocals are dead center, very holographic, and up into the ceiling at times. A lot of the sound stage improvements also come from the addition of the preamp, and the CIFTE NOS tubes I installed. There is no comparison to the old corner of the basement in my old 900 square-foot house where the speakers were crammed up against the wall and my listening chair was literally touching the furnace. Not ideal by any means, but I made the best of it.

happy listening

Jafant,

now that my system can breathe and function at its full potential, I can justify experimenting with tweaks. In my old house it just didn’t make sense. Perhaps you could make some suggestions to steer me in the right direction, as I am a novice audiophile. As much as I love my Belles hot rod, I have been thinking an upgrade in my amp would make the most sense. If I do upgrade, a power cord would be a must. Thanks,  happy listening. 

Unsound,
thanks for the advice. I did just spend a bunch of time adjusting speaker placement. Its amazing what a 1/4 inch of toe in will do. To be accurate, if you are measuring from the center of drivers, the speakers are 14’ apart.  My room is dual purpose, 2ch and theater. That being said, there is a little wiggle room to move in the direction you recommend. I’ll give it a try. I didn’t mention, the left speaker is only 2 feet from the side wall, and there is no wall near right speaker.Thanks 

Jafant,
the local dealer that sold me my Belles, Shanling, and Primaluna, let me audition the Primaluna Dialogue HP (high power) integrated at home before I pulled the trigger. It’s a killer tube amp, but I liked the solid state Belles better with the Thiels.  Was looking for a 150 reference or an SA100 when I discovered John at Audio Connection. He pretty much has me talked into a Virtuoso. We’ll see what happens.  

I contacted Rob at Coherent Source and he no longer has upgrade kits for cs7’s to 7.2. He also informed me that the coax drivers in the 2.3s were upgraded near the serial number 4567. The upgraded one has two magnets. My question to those in the know, what else besides the passive radiator and crossover was changed or upgraded in the 2.4? Can any improvements be made to the 2.3 ?
my serial number is 5313, so I already have the updated coax. Thanks, 
happy listening

OK, sounds like you officially have a homework assignment. I was just listening last night, and decided not to move the speakers because I was very happy with the soundstage and imaging. But, I guess it can’t hurt to try. It may take me a few days, but I will report back what I find.
also, I do have some treatments on the wall and a very thick shag rug on top of the carpeted floor. Also, I believe the open rafters help break up the sound as well.
I do notice when I said closer to the speakers, the imaging is still good, but the realism is not as convincing.

Sdecker, 
I promise I won’t get depressed. I love learning about this stuff. If I do, I’ll just go listen to some music. If you don’t mind me asking, what are the sonic differences that cause you to like the 2.4 over the 2.3?Thanks, happy listening 

https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/thiel-2-3-vs-2-4-the-real-difference
If anyone else is interested, I found an old thread comparing the differences between the 2.3 and 2.4. In a nut shell, there are slight differences in the mids and uppers.  Not as big a difference as sdecker claims (2021). According to him its “not night and day” ,and “NOT big differences”(2003).  I’m thinking maybe his 2.3s didn’t have the upgraded coaxs, so with my 2.3s upgraded there should be even less of a difference. 

Well, the little Belles Hot rod is officially retired from my main system. I pulled the trigger on a Threshold s/500 series II. It’s been rebuilt/refreshed by Jon Soderberg a few months ago. Wow what a beast! For the first time in 20 years I am hearing what the 2.3s can really do. The Belles is a great amp for the money, but the Thiels really wake up with a heap of current.