Hello everyone I’m a long time stalker, first time squawker here, well to this thread anyway and not really a squawker either it just sounded good. I am a recovering Vanderholic and have come here seeking your help and knowledge.
I have been a Thiel convert for the past couple years now. I first heard Thiel back in 1998 while visiting Santa Fe, NM, walked by a pair of 2.3’s that made me stop and listen. I couldn’t afford them at the time but they were always there in my memory when I was looking to upgrade my system. The only reason I didn’t make the jump to Thiel when I moved into the big speaker realm was the fear of not being able to repair the speaker in the future, this was the time frame when Theil was going through all their troubles thus the reason for venturing down Vandersteen path. I started my recovery when I started reading this thread and decided to purchase a pair of PCS speakers for my office. They had always intrigued me so I took the plunge figuring they would work well as large monitor speakers at minimum. Fast forward and I came across a deal on a pair of Amberwood CS-6’s with an extra pair of crossover’s and pair of 4 inch drivers. The owner was considering upgrading them but never got around to it and could not take them with him overseas. I have had them for a little over a year now and will not part with them, they’ve even made me consider looking for a pair of CS 7’s or 7.2"s. I now consider myself a full fledged card toting Thiel zealot, maybe not that extreme but I can get there from here.
I know Jafant will ask so here goes: my office system consists of Thiel PCS’s and SS-1 subwoofer via a PX-05 crossover. Metrum Accoustic’s Ambre, Adagio feed the digital and a VPI HW-19 Mk IV turntable, McCormack Micro Phono and Line Drive, both with SMc Audio Platinum upgrades feed the analog, a Metrum Forte amplifier drive the PCS’s. My wife who is not into the audiophile thing says my office system sounds really nice, she likes to come in and listen sometimes while relaxing.
My main system consists of the Thiel CS-6’s, MCS-1, Powerpoint 1 and Pair SS-2 subwoofers driven by McCormack 0.5 monoblocks with Platinum upgrades (2012 edition). The source’s are Metrum Ambr and Adagio for digital, a highly modified VPI HW-19 MK IV for analog connected to a SMc Audio Reference Phono Drive, these go through either the McCormack TLC passive buffered (2016 edition) preamp or ALD with REV A upgrades preamp. The SMc Reference Phono and TLC Passive Buffered preamp share the same VRE-1 Power Station. The surrounds are driven by a pair of McCormack DNA-HT1’s and powered by an Oppo UDP-205 and Parasound P-7. I have plans to move up to Dolby Atmos just waiting for the right side surrounds to come available. And yes I believe that once you have reached this leave of clarity in you system that cables matter, my main system consists of Stealth Audio Cabling, source components get Metacarbon interconnects with PGS 50/50 doing the delivery to the monoblocks. I use Dream P/C’s to deliver the power to all components and 4 to 5 foot runs of Hybrid MLT’s to drive the CS-6’s. Yes I’m a very big fan of the McCormack upgrades, as a matter of fact considering getting my 0.5 monoblocks upgraded one last time while I redo my main system room. I know someone’s going to mention about me keeping up with my system pictures but I am terrible at keeping that updated, shoot it took me forever just to write this.
Anyway, I just wanted to let you guys know I am very interested in the Thiel Renaissance upgrades and would be willing to volunteer my spare parts for testing if needed, I’m just outside the DC area. Looking forward to what the future with these Renaissance upgrades could bring with excitement. Also my apologies for being so long winded, hope everyone has a good weekend.