I've been using WyWires with my 3,7s
Thiel Owners
Guys-
I just scored a sweet pair of CS 2.4SE loudspeakers. Anyone else currently or previously owned this model?
Owners of the CS 2.4 or CS 2.7 are free to chime in as well. Thiel are excellent w/ both tubed or solid-state gear!
Keep me posted & Happy Listening!
I just scored a sweet pair of CS 2.4SE loudspeakers. Anyone else currently or previously owned this model?
Owners of the CS 2.4 or CS 2.7 are free to chime in as well. Thiel are excellent w/ both tubed or solid-state gear!
Keep me posted & Happy Listening!
13,557 responses Add your response
After looking back to the beginning I only got thru 4 pages and found these Audioquest Alpha-core Goertz Kubala Sousna M.I.T. Straightwire Transparent and WireWorld Reccommended as Thiel compatable . I guess that I will try to look at Thiel owners of 2.7 and 3.7 speakers , since it seems that Cable compatabilty is dependent on the speaker model ( with the the amp powering ) . |
for those interested in my experience with vintage amplifiers, here are some thoughts. To me, the main limitation my two amps (Yamaha M85 and Denon POA 1500) is the binding posts. They are not 5 way and do not support banana plugs, and wire gauge is limited. With such powerful amps, it seems to me they would benefit from new binding posts that allow use of better speaker cables. I plan on replacing both with suitable 5 ways, both are a bit of a PITA as the original bindings are soldered directly to a PCB, I'll need to jimmy-jam something to get them to work, but I think it will be worth it. The Yamaha, at 325 wpc/4 ohms, sounds great thru my 3.5's, the Denon sounds good but I can tell a difference in the two amps. The Yammy has LED power meters (bar graph type), the Denon has sexy analog meters and wood side panels, definitely a better looking amplifier. I have both a black face and a silver face for the Denon. I'm using the Denon while I update the Yamaha binding posts, then we will see. As with any vintage equipment, I'm looking at a restoration at some point, but that's what is nice about having a backup. I'm using a Bluesound Vault for my digital files, using the built-in DAC of the Bluesound. Its pretty good and don't know if a separate DAC would be worth the investment. Also running a Kenwood KD-5100 turntable that I found a couple of months ago, new in the box, a time capsule from 1981. The Denon preamp has inputs for both MC and MM carts, but you have to physically move the tt rca cables to a different pair of jacks when you go from MM to MC. I want to eventually get another preamp that has a bit more flexibility in cartridge load, or an external phono stage. So that's where I'm at, stick around and who knows what I'll have next month! |
tomic601 good call on the Kimber, 8TC is an extraordinary value and works extremely well with Thiels even better for me than 3035. They can be lean in the midrange with Thiels so system matching is imperative. I have also found Straightwire and Analysis Plus to work well. I have found most quality stranded copper cables work will with Thiel and you don't need to spend long on cables. I have learned that the hard way. |
I had settled on MIT back in the 90's when I was originally pushing my 2.2's with Adcom. Can't remember which/what, I did upgrade to a better MIT I was so impressed and had big gray boxes everywhere. I'd even tried out Cardas and Audioquest from friends and was pretty meh. However, when I got my BAT amp & pre, I wanted to get some balanced interconnect cable to take advantage of that. At the time I got a screaming deal on PS Audio Xstream everything as they were discontinuing everything but the power cable. So I figured I'd just buy everything I could lay my hands on and replaced all my cable with PS. The speaker cable is short of comic though, truly garden hose stuff. After it was broken in, I couldn't go back to the MIT. In fact, the cable seemed to be the final missing link. I'd seen measurements indicating that the VK-3iX measured much better using the balanced connects, that might have had something to do with it. But when I would swap out just speaker cable, there was still a notable difference. In the end, I really enjoy the PS and hope I can figure out a way to continue using the speaker cable. But the speaker cable was really short so that's going to be iffy. I do still have a box full o' MIT somewhere! |
02-11-2020 1:14amsolobone22Actually MIT has downsized (if that's the right word) into 3 categories with variants in each. The Reference uber expensive series, the 2CD3 series which is also very expensive, and the Heritage EVO line the new entry into the brand, still not cheap. The two categories below the Reference line offer significant trickle down technology that makes them a great value if you have the funds. I use the EVO line and it is significantly better than the older reference MIT's. I've always been an MIT user/fan. Started with them, tried many other cables, and came back. Their business model became way too extensive and confusing for a while. I think their new offerings make a lot of sense. They are and always have been however price leaders in the industry. |
I used these MIT cables many moons ago -
https://www.highperformancestereo.com/cables/speaker-cables/mit-mh-750-music-hose-8-foot-pair-spade-lugs.html I think I had 2.3s back then. Actually had two pair (an 8 ft. and a 12ft) and used one of the long ones on a Thiel SCS2 center channel. I picked them up cheap as a guy painted his baseboard and they were covered in paint. I ended up cleaning them and selling them for about the same as I paid for them about a year and a half later as I made a pair of speaker cables from (dual runs of) Belden 83030 that clearly bested them. So I wasn't super impressed by them. They were OK for the cheap used price I got them for (I think the 8 ft. pair listed for $450 and the 12 footer for $600 and I think I paid $200 for them way back when and after I cleaned them and shipped them I got my $200 back). |
solobone22 I can remember reading this article by BD upon initial release. Upon re-visiting the content, yes, it appears that the 330 is preferred from pre to power amp. Another M.I.T. consideration is the Network box (and correct implementation into one's system). Oddly, there are not many M.I.T. reviews out there? This company has been around for a very long time. Happy Listening! |
@jafant this is the review that led me to try MIT. Could it be that I need to try it with the 330 from preamp to amp in addition to the 750’s? Perhaps it is however I haven’t had the opportunity as of yet. https://www.stereophile.com/content/mit-mi-330-proline-shotgun-interconnects-amp-mh-750-shotgun-spea... |
oblgny Yes - I do remember that specific search function from Audiogon 1.0 I am still strongly considering an Integrated amp. AYRE is the front runner at this time. I would like to audition the Aesthetix and B.A.T for good measure. Hope that you are well and contemplating your next great purchase. Happy Listening! |
I have 2 pairs of Tara Labs cables. One set only states that they are the Space & Time model (they are in a smoke colored plastic jacket with a pair of solid core wires for each positive and negative). The other set is called Astral Blue. They didn’t mate well between the Bryston 7BST and the 2.7’s. |
Since the post before this was about speaker cables I thought that I would join in . I've been using Cardas Neutral Reference since I've had my 2.7s , yesterday a freind came over with Sunyata Black Mamba speaker cables and I have to say the sound was beautiful , interesting and different . The speakers dissapeared but at the same time I don't think that the sound was a sharp or fast . A big problem was that the cables were so stiff that the bending radius was over a foot and they would not fit behind my amp without removing one of my shelves just to be able to experience them . So I am now thinking about new ( used ) speaker cables . Have any Thiel owners experienced Tara Labs ? Thanks Rob |
Had the opportunity to try MIT 750 shotgun speaker cables today. From Krell TAS to 3.6 and from Bryston 7BST’s to 2.7. In my setups there was now a mid bass hump and a lack of deep bass. The mids were a little sweeter and there was additional sparkle to the highs. I was really excited and ended up being disappointed. The reviews did mention that the MIT cable works well when using all of the same brand (I mean what marketing department would say otherwise!!!). Anyone else have experience with MIT and Thiels? Currently running DH Labs Q-10 and Kimber 8VS respectively. |
jafant... Yup. As reluctant as I am to classify myself as a "business" selling or buying here, A'gon stands alone as the site best suited toward doing so. US Audiomart is fair at best, and although a lot of the equipment advertised here appears there as well, it is far simpler to communicate with people here. What I do like about that site is the ability to sort searches by state, something which A'gon should implement toot-suite. [sp?] ( A while back you COULD search within a geographical define by typing in a zip code, but that disappeared with nary a word to the unwise. ) By the way, have you purchased any amplification yet? |
Just got the other one screwed back together and they're sitting on the floor playing. What an absolute joy. The plastic plate on the back is very cheap and flimsy, somebody deserves to get kicked in the scro for that. I'm gonna get some hardware to glue to that to keep it from vibrating so much. The overall sound is glorious and I'm enjoying it immensely. |
Just screwed my most broken ViewPoint back together and it sounds awesome. The woofer sounds great, no rubbing or distortion. I plan on using these as computer speakers so no need for high volume. I’m feeling rather proud of myself as I now have what are probably about the best computer speakers on earth that I paid about as much for as you’d pay for something from audio engine. Take that establishment. |
bluetone... Are you they guy who drove here and picked them up??? Jeeze.... Rob @ Coherent repaired my first paid of mids years ago when I drove a phillips head screwdriver through the cone trying to find out why the sound was intermiitent. That pair of speakers was gifted to my nephew not long afterward. He still has them. Viva la 3.5 ! |
oblgny, mine did come with the eq, I have it plumbed between my preamp and amplifier. The preamp has two sets of pre-out, so I run one pair to eq to amp, the other pair to active subwoofer. I keep the eq button on 40 since I have the sub, I don't know if that matters but the less stress on the woofers the better (??). Honestly I think I could take the eq out of the chain and not hear much of a difference. The Scanspeak mids are 12W/8524G00 models, so once I get my mids back (and didn't they come from you on Long Island?), I'll be able to compare. |
bluetone... Your post did not mention if your pair of 3.5's came complete with the bass equalizer - IMHO the most important component of the model. I have had six pairs of Thiels - starting with the 2,2, 2.3, three pairs of 3.5 (don't ask), 3.6, and currently with a pair of 2.4's, which I am currently selling here on A'gon because I am returning to a monitor/subwoofer setup. This will buy me the time I am willing to endure to find yet ANOTHER pair of 3.5's to purchase - regardless, almost, of price. I am genuinely excited by the possibilities mentioned in this forum of updating 3.5's. Like yourself, I began this epic journey returning to hifi with some fairly low-to-mid-fi equipment. To recount all of the associated equipment I have thrown at these speakers since finding this site, and this forum, would bore the ears off even the most phile of audiophiles, so I won't. Suffice it to say that it's been a LOT. I ask whether or not your pair came complete with the bass equalizer because, IMHO, the 3.5 doesn't necessarily benefit from employing one since, with the bass eq employed in the chain, the frequency response is 20HZ - 20KHZ. The one issue with being able to employ the bass eq in the chain is that it required separates to do so. An integrated amplifier or a receiver - which is just another, busier integrated amplifier - required looping the eq through a tape monitor which, again IMHO, kind of negated the benefits the bass eq provided by adding another thing in the chain. ( I apologize for getting so technical here. ) I absolutely concur with your statement that more power improves the sonics at low to moderate listening levels. Eventually I was able to settle upon various amps that provided 150 watts @ 8ohms, 300 @ 4 ohms - the latter representing the load of "most" Thiel models and way more power than I would ever throw at them. To my humble ears the 3.5's bested any other model I have owned in reproducing music at low to moderate volume levels. I jumped off of the first two models mentioned too quickly to recall how well they managed to perform at my listening levels, but I hasten to add that it was not because they were deficient in any way, more so because they were so damn good and I wanted to move up the Thiel foodchain. Don't be an idiot like me - hang onto your 3.5's forever. Like every Thiel model they're an investment, not a purchase. Enjoy 'em! |
I think I'm going to be able to fix these. When the magnet broke loose it caught the voice coil in the gap which is why the woofer was dead. I finally got the voice coil loose and it doesn't look damaged. I realigned it and it seems to be working fine. I just need to glue it back together and reconnect the tweeter and I think I'm good. Fingers crossed. |
I just took apart the ViewPoints that FedEx destroyed. One works aside from the shattered back plate. On the other one the back silver part of the woofer is loose and the woofer cone itself is stuck. I tried to get it loose but no luck so far. Both coils broke off of the crossover circuit board and are floating around, though still connected. The tweeter still works. It's a real bummer, I've been wanting a pair of these or PowerPoints for ages. |
Greetings all, I thought I would take a moment to reintroduce myself to this thread and share my Thiel journey. I bought my 3.5s about a year ago, my third pair of Thiels, starting with the 1.2 then 1.5. Literally a week after I 'upgraded' to the 1.5's, a pair of 3.5's popped up locally and I had to do it. The original mids had been replaced at some point with Scanspeak mids, but thru this forum I found an original pair (as well as tweets, woofers and crossover's). Rob rebuilt the mids (he told me that was the last pair he could rebuild due to lack of original components), then they were off to Tom Thiel to aid in his quest for finding / confirming a suitable mid replacement for the 3.5s. I'm still rocking the aftermarket Scanspeaks until Tom is finished, and very curious as to any mods he finds for the 3.5s. I'm mostly a vintage guy, by choice and budget. Originally I was powering the 3.5s with a Kenwood KA-9800 integrated, approx. 125 wpc/4 ohms. I knew that wasn't enough power to drive the 3.5s sufficiently, I just told myself that at the volume I listen it didn't matter much. Then I had two vintage amps pop up locally, a Yamaha M85 (@325 wpc/4 ohms) and a Denon POA1500 (@225 wpc/4 ohms). Now I've concluded I should have been flogged with 8 ga. speaker wire for muffling the 3.5s with a relatively low-powered amp. The Denon and Yamaha (especially the Yammy) really opened up the 3.5s at all volume levels. So currently I'm running the Yamaha (or Denon) amplifier, Denon PRA 1000 preamp, Thiel 3.5's with eq, Revel Concerta subwoofer, Bluesound Vault and a Kenwood KD-5100 turntable. I have the Revel dialed in so that you wouldn't know it was there, just makes the 3.5s sound like they drop down below their capabilities. I'm pretty happy with the sound, my room is odd-shaped 22 x 15 with an angled wall that houses my setup, speakers being 7 feet apart, 1 ft off the wall. Really curious to see what the original mids will bring to the party once I get them back. On a side note, really interesting to hear Tom Thiel's involvement with Peavey, I've been building guitars for a few years now, check out my website. http://www.bluetoneguitars.com/ |
