Ps...I haven’t tried FuzzMeasure but will definitely explore...thx. |
All,
New to the board. Great informative reading. I learn a lot about matching and challenges one doesn’t always think of when getting new equipment.
I am currently running Magnipan 3.7 and Thiel CS2 (depending on my mood, love them both) from ole school Classe DR-15 amp/DR4 pre. Very very happy overall with the sound on both but considering what going to a Pass Labs 250.8 might bring. Or maybe an upgrade to preamp?
(Also have Rega P8/Alpheta3/Rega Aria mk3/California Audio Labs CD).
I know the Classe stuff is dinosaur so maybe not much experience here with that but it has served me remarkably well.
any thoughts would be appreciated.....Thanks.
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Yeah those 250.8 are not cheap even used. I have been trying to score the 3.6 or maybe 3.7 so definitely aligned with you on that.
Funny but just started researching DAC’s this morning and also streaming maybe Roon or Innuous. I have a fairly substantial collection of CD’s and vinyl but Tidal is pretty sweet, currently streaming from an Astell and Kern AK120 II portable.
For the price of the 250.8 could likely almost do all....appreciated.
also on the piano part of this thread
Rachmaninov Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini
Vladimir Ashkenazy London Decca |
thanks for the historical info. Great stuff to hear..no pun intended ha
I don’t have much too trouble with my CS2’s in my 13x22 room, they are along the long wall about 8’ apart and my listening position about at the equilateral triangle point. Room is well deadened with panels and the CS2’s throw a remarkable very wide and accurate stage. I am struggling a bit more with the Magi 3.7’s, as I think they want even more space...still working on that although they sound very good especially those sweet mid and highs...well what highs my slightly older ears can hear of the highs anyway...
I still think the Thiel’s may have an edge with the right recordings and, quite likely, as a result of the placement challenges you mention but it is close. I am a bit concerned if I go to the 3.6’s they may suffer due to the room situation so also considering one of the later 2 series as I think I will always have to have a pair of Thiel’s available for me...ha...good listening |
Tom,
Sounds great, I have no intention of letting my CS2’s go,
These are actually a second pair since my original pair bought new in the late 80’s lost sound to the tweeter/mid. I believe there is a gent Rob in Lexington, that you likely know, repairing these but it was easier to just get a nice used pair. After Covid mess maybe I will road trip to Lexington and see if I can get my originals repaired. Still I may look for some later 2 series just because I really love the sound, they work brilliantly in my space, and I know the design execution just got better and better. Amazing after 30 +/- years they still rival or best many of today’s high $ designs...cudos to Jim....and I haven’t done anything with room equalization so who knows how much better this might get....look forward to hearing about your work... |
Happy Saturday all,
Wow am I psyched...just picked up a pair of totally mint barely broke in CS2.4’s....Can’t wait to starting my comparisons with my CS2’s and the mag 3.7’s.....what a perfect plan for a Christmas week diversion...woohoo....course the kids and wife will probably want me doing my A/B’s with xmas music....🤯...alas sacrifices must be made...ha
This will probably keep me busy for the next year once I start adjusting/adding in cables, amp, placements, room treatment etc....will share my impressions. Been reading the thread from beginning to tap the tree of knowledge while I listen thanks all 👍 |
On a side note anyone spent anytime with the Lumin T2 with their Thiel’s? Starting to look at my digital/streaming front end which is quite dated. |
Amazing how much value one can get from the used market albeit with a bit of risk....makes complete sense since you had the dac...T2 on initial look seems exceptional for my needs but not necessarily at a value price given the rapid changes in the dac/streamer area. although it does seem it is at least somewhat future upgradeable. I have a-lot of cd’s as well so thinking the dac in the T2 would be beneficial vs my current old California audio labs player’s. |
Tom,
That would be a fantastic start to Christmas week thanks for the heads up!
Cascadephil, thanks, are you pleased with the overall sound from the U1 through the 3.7’s? I am considering the U1 with a separate DAC as well for cost reasons but the one solution box of the T2 is attractive if I am understanding the differences correctly. |
Will do yyz...thanks...
first listening comparisons...still so much more to do..given my modest backing of Classe DR15/DR4 pre and analog only on Rega P8/ Alpheta 3/ Rega Aria the 2.4’s detail is insane incredible and definitely better at lower volume than the Mag’s but the 3.7 wall of sound and super sweet upper mid and highs are amazing as well especially at slightly higher volume. Thiel’s base is tighter too but my amps may need upgrade to fully satisfy and expand the 3.7’s base...ear Nirvana on both and still a work in progress...same as most everyone here...haha
Brian Ferry : Bete Noir
Chet Atkins :CGP
Dire Straits
Jean Pierre Rampal/claude Bolling Suite for Flute and Jazz Piano...highly recommended btw
Time for some rock n roll....
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I love this thread. The history, suggestions and tweeks are priceless. Have owned 2 pair of CS2’s since late ‘80’s. I picked up some mint 2.4’s late last year. Looks like serial #433/434 although almost looks like they could be 4331/4332 . Numbers are rubbed and very hard to read but given number of total pairs made mentioned above the 400’s are likely the better guess. Consequently I likely have the later fcx boards. I am definitely interested in the crossover upgrade possibilities but not really sure I want to dismantle and rebuild myself unless everything can be accessed from the back plate? I may call and see if this can be done turnkey since one of my CS2’s has gone dead in midrange also. These speakers are all keepers for me.
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Thiel’s dialed in and set up are magical indeed ….glad to be among fellow Thielites (?)..ha…. Totally agree bettlemania…good to just sit back and enjoy sometimes.
jafant, my analogue is Rega P8 alpheta 3 mc and rega aria 3 phono stage, my digital is a Cary DMS 700 (r2r ladder dac and streamer) both of which I love. Those I bought new so they were pricey but they are really sweet and hope to have a good long while.
I will let you know if I move forward on 2.4 xo upgrades, probably be a bit as budget is toast and like beetlemania says good to just listen for awhile in between upgrade urges. |
Gotta say the 2.4’s even with the fcx are truly fantastic. I loved reading the vintage reviews linked earlier.
I spent the last 4 months switching between the 2.4’s and Magnipan 3.7’s. I feel like a guy with two very beautiful wives that get along, are very similar but each shine in slightly different ways….but I can only be with one at a time….truly audio nirvana. I drive them with Pass X260.8, Cary SLP-05 with NOS tubes and silversmith audio ribbon speaker cables and to my ears it is a combination made in heaven….that said we all continue to look for improvements in our quest for perfection. Thanks for all the ideas and especially to Tom for the history of speakers that have emotionally connected me to recorded music for more than 30 years. |
Tom, Thanks for the clarification. I am pretty sure mine are numbered 4332/4333 but like I said the numbers are rubbed and it is a bit of a guess. Based on the above, info they may have been some of the last made, so definitely would not have the lex boards. Guess I now have a future project on my to do list. Glad to hear the 2.4 was definitely a winner both in sales and, for me, sound enjoyment.
bettlemania, thank you for the info on accessing to xo. I will start trying to track down the parts mentioned in this thread.
Jafant, no I did not have the earlier Cary DMS units but the sound from the 700 via streaming and flac files is truly impressive and musical; on a par with my analogue set up in many recordings. |
