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!
A (prospective) gentleman contacted me over the weekend from a different forum-Audio Asylum. He reported that in his system Rogue Audio M-180 mono blocks are mated w/ CS 2.7 loudspeakers. He uses a Rogue Audio pre-amp as well, Sony 5400ES and VPI TT. A hodge-podge of Cabling rounds out his rig. Mostly into Vinyl is his preference. I did extend a cordial invitation to join us here! Hope we gain a new contributor.
I think you might find the Rogues to be within your wheelhouse - at least certainly pricewise.
I had a Cronus Magnum 100 w per side integrated and was quite content for a while. From what I've read excellent customer care as well. I was THIS close to buying a pair of M150's locally when my house needed a roof or something...
It wouldn't appear as though the Rogue's are ideal for sub 3 Ohm impedances: http://www.stereophile.com/content/rogue-audio-m-180-monoblock-power-amplifier-measurements#LVjCMXjMd2M7Rf56.97
The Gryphon gear, as jond and unsound, suggests is really exciting for sure. It is hard to justify buying into a brand that does not have USA representation. The same fares well for Cabling, as much as , I am a proponent for it. Really some fantastic brands in the EU/Germany currently.
As we prepare for a new year, I remark, new possibilities regarding these companies obtaining U.S. distribution.
Thank You- unsound for your steadfast position on the sub 3-Ohm subject. I do not know the listening habits nor levels of the owner in that particular system?
I did inquire about any problem/issue(s) that he experienced w/ the overall synergy of the gear. The gentleman in question is more Vinyl that digital, if this makes a difference?
Jafant, please forgive me if I appear dogmatic with regard to impedance, etc., but I do believe that these considerations are paramount when qualifying amplifiers for consideration with a given loudspeaker.
Never any need to apologize- unsound. There is nothing wrong w/ being practical (dogmatic) about our wonderful hobby. It is quite easy to get lost within the manufacturers' hype, as these companies, attempt to sell their wares to the general public.
I started this thread for ALL of us. The good and bad, positive and negative, difference of opinions. No doubt that I am looking for a power amp that can double-down into the 2-Ohm region. Pass Labs and Krell will fit that bill.
Am I missing any other power amp manufacturers? Ayre? Classe' ?
Jafant, i was at the Paris high end show last weekend and was able to audition the latest gear on different speakers. You asked in an ealier post about lastest Mark Levinson gear, well i was able to audition the n° 519 all in one network player with a pair of n° 536 monoblocks driving TAD Compact Reference and i can tell you i was very disappointed. The Mark Levinson gear was very bright and fatiguing. I was considering this gear for my CS 3.7 but for this kind of money i can have much better. I liked very much the Gryphon Diablo 300, pretty warm, organic and what a base slam.That would be the integrated to choose for the bigger Thiels. As of seperates 4 good options are the Hegel H30, the Dan d'Agostino Classic amp, Modwright KWA 150 in stereo or mono config and last but not least Aesthetix amps and preamp. I'm going to audition Aesthetix gear this thursday at a dealer's. If you have the budget and want to go much higher end you have Steve McCormack's SMC audio gear. Regards,
Do you live in France? The Paris show is excellent, I read the reviews every year. Much Thanks! for posting your thoughts and impressions.
A few years ago, I had a demo w/ a system featuring TAD speakers as well. I was not impressed, especially, for that kind of money? So, the presentation may not be of ML fault? Every time I have demo'ed ML gear, I was not disappointed- even w/ Aerial loudspeakers (another disappointment).
Have not had an opportunity to audition Dan D'Agostino's gear, Gryphon as Jond pointed out, Hegel nor MW. I have spent time w/ the Aesthetix gear- it is excellent! You will enjoy your listening time.
As always, do not forget to give a shout-out to your local dealer/retailer.
my demo w/ the Aesthetix gear was in a combo Macbook server/Oppo 105D, Vandy Treo/Quattro loudspeakers. It was a little tough to discern any fault(s) in that system. Both the Treo/Quattro speakers a very difficult to set up and dial-in to a room (i have read). I can report that the room was dead quiet and sound -proofed to the max, courtsey of John Fort Audio in Dallas TX.
I did spend a few different listening sessions over a few different weeks for good measure. In the past, I have enjoyed several Vandy auditions- the 2CE/Ci and 3A / A Signature speakers. IMO, these sound better than the Treo/Quattro. Overall, Vandy is not Thiel, which is the reason why, I prefer the CS Series- CS 2.4, CS 2.4SE, CS 2.7 & the mighty CS 3.7 loudspeakers.
Jafant, Not all Pass Labs and Krell's can keep doubling down to 2 Ohms. Furthermore, even if a manufacturer suggests that they can, it might be prudent to check third party testing results such as those found in Stereophile, etc.. I quite often find that manufacturer claims, even from some of the more popular and respected brands frequently don't measure up to expectations. While I don't have a lot of confidence in all of the loudspeaker measurements, there seems to be little to fault with regard to their electronics measurements.
Definitely not First Watt. The F6 offers the most power into 4 ohms which is 50 watts per channel which...may not be enough for your 2.7's. You already know how quickly I moved from my FW M2 amp to the Pass X150.5.
Like I've mentioned my listening level is very conservative and I very nearly purchased a new Pass 30.8 which offered 60 watts into my 4 ohm Thiels, but another X150.5 came up and I jumped on it. Based on my history I think the 30.8 would have sufficed but then...mo' power in reserve is mo' better almost all the time. I did not audition the M2 nor the X150.5 prior to purchase, either. I purchased them based upon threads here, reviews, and word of mouth.
I do not own the CJ 350 SS amp. I am always on the look out for one. I have not heard it w/ an ARC pre-amp. I did demo it w/ a CJ ACT2 Series2. This is my reference, best audition to date.
the CJ 350 SS is a very fine power amp. Not many were built, rather rare as owners tend to hold onto them. I wish that CJ would update this particular amp. Happy Listening!
greetings. i have not read all the way through all the posts, but if you are looking for a great amp with Thiel, i have had great success with matching my 2.7's with the new PS Audio BHK amp. It can handle anything and has a wonderful sound. it replaced a really nice Marantz silver reference amp, and was a good improvement. if anyone reading this is interested, i do have a set of Sound Anchor speaker stands for Thiel speakers (either 2.2 or 2.4). please feel free to let me know if you are interested
frozentundra (Jeff), oblgny (William), dlcockrum (Dave), and other esteemed gentlemen of this thread. I have posted a few pics in the Virtual Systems section here on the 'Gon. Check out "Alabama Getaway". Happy Listening!
Thank You -jond for the positive feedback. I listen to music in my GMC truck w/ top Bose / XM radio system. At home, I listen to certain internet radio via B&W MM-1 computer speakers. I keep both tuned up w/ various tweaking/system tuning CDs for optimal playback. When I travel for business, I take a few well known discs w/ me as I visit dealers/retailers abroad.
jafant man i saw your pics of your beautiful CS 2.4SE not connected to any system... How can you look at them everyday and not beeing able to listen to music ? I know you are in the same boat as i am wanting to build a reference system with them, but meanwhile why don't you do like i did buy a modest used Integrated and a DAC to stream high res files via USB ? For a very small budget you could at least listen to your CS 2.4SE. I bought my CS 3.7 2 years ago and couldn't wait any longer staring at them and not beeing able to listen to them.
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