Thiel Owners

andy2

I just replaced the caps in my recently purchased used CS2.4s (sn 1030 & 1031) with the kit sold by Rob Gillum. beetlemania's note about removing the passive radiator is a good one and I would add that I was surprised at how long the screws were. They also require a hex wrench. Putting the passive radiator back in was easier than I thought but the whole process of removing and reinstalling them benefitted from the use of a small drill. When reinstalling, the drill helped in getting the screw to 'grip' the frame of the passive radiator more easily, drawing it to the cabinet as it tightened. I'm right-handed so I held the passive radiator with my left hand while using the drill on the screw at the top of the radiator. The speaker lay prone on a workbench and once the first screw is in, the rest were easy.

Jafant...

Thanks for the welcome. I've been lurking here for a while and in fact, found out about the CS2.4 cap upgrade here, so thanks to the contributors for that. The 2.4s replaced my CS2.0s that I originally acquired in 1990. I replaced the drivers in those twice, but seeing that drivers for these were no longer available, decided to get the 2.4s, and I'm very happy I did. The cap upgrade and outriggers from Rob GIllum were icing on the cake.

The CS2.4s are the center of two interlinked systems: an 'analog' system that includes a McIntosh C26 and (2) McIntosh MC 240s which I originally purchased in 1969 (and use a 80w mono amps), and a 'digital' system (mostly for theater use) built around a Classé preamp/processor (SSP800) and Classé amplifier (CA5300). Two Thiel PowerPlane 1.2s and an SCS center channel make up the rest of the theater system, though I confess I'm on the lookout for a nice MCS.

There are a belt and direct drive turntable connected to the 'analog' system, and a CD, BluRay & laserdisc(!) player connected to 'digital' system, though I can also play the turntables through the 'digital' system. It's complicated, but what good is a hobby if it isn't expensive and take up a lot of time?

My musical taste is mostly classical music from the 18th to 20th century, especially piano and chamber music, though I also love orchestral works from Mozart to Mahler and beyond. I like serious jazz from Louis Armstrong to the Art Ensemble of Chicago, especially Coltrane, Dolphy, Davis and many others.

When I started this hobby in the 1960s, I was into what was called 'HiFi'. I never really made the transition to the 'high end', though I certainly appreciate what it has meant to sound reproduction over the last 30 years.

Thanks, tomthiel & beetlemania for your info and vote of confidence. I actually did Rob's upgrade to the caps without removing the xo board, which is what he recommended. I did, however, release the board from the speaker case to do the work. The leads from the drivers to the board were very short and I would probably recommend others doing this upgrade to remove the board completely, even though one would have to reattach the leads and (perhaps) install additional lead wire.

tomthiel

Will this upgrade be a board that replaces the existing board or a package of components for the user to assemble/install on the existing board? I recently upgraded my 2.4s using Rob's parts and am very pleased with the results, and I'd consider another, once yours is available, but am not sure I have the technical skill to rebuild the board with new parts.

beetlemania,

It's a very simple printed circuit board. Rob suggested connecting the leads to the new caps to other components that are connected to the same point on the circuit, which can be done without removing the board completely, though as I said, it makes the installation a bit difficult for one who doesn't do this sort of thing regularly. I did document what I did with photos and written notes, if anyone is interested. Not sure where I'd post it, though. It's in pdf format.

I just replaced my SCS1 with an MCS1 to go with the 2.4s I upgraded a few months ago with Rob’s SE parts. The seller also had an SW1, which I also picked up, so my theater system is now close to the form the theater gods intended. The discussion of subs has been helpful, as the SW1 is my first. It definitely adds to the theater experience, but I do find all the potential options for integrating the sub into the music experience daunting. The MCS1 is very nice, but this one is probably about 13-14 yrs old, and I would be interested in any upgrades that might be possible. I’m definitely in the school of “buy quality stuff, then maintain it”, which many here seem to understand.

The recent mention of the CS2 piqued my interest and perhaps the Thiel hive-mind can help me. I have a pair that I bought in 1990 (sn 11263, 11264) that I retired last year with used 2.4s, which I then upgraded using Rob GIllum's caps & outriggers. The new setup is great but I'd like to find a use for the 2.0s, but don't really have the space in my house for them. The mid-range & tweeters were replaced in about 2010, and the woofer was rebuilt by Thiel at the factory. Are these worth keeping (assuming I can find a use), and if so, should I replace the caps or do other work on them? The cabinets are in decent condition and I have them stored in their factory cartons.

biglhemp, I've had success with a model CS2 tweeter with a similar problem using an empty toilet paper roll placed over the tweeter and gently sucking. Not sure if the 3.7 tweeter would likewise respond to this, but I was afraid to use anything more powerful.