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!
The Ayre VX-5 now has about 50 hours. Initially the 2.4s revealed the "new amp" pre break-in roughness in its presentation especially in the upper frequencies. We are all aware our Thiels are extremely good at revealing upstream equipment's possible shortcomings (I believe this is what has given many the impression that Thiels have certain issues, I propose that many were blaming the speakers for other system issues the speakers simply exposed). I had used a well broken in demo amp in my system before making my purchase so I was confident that time would improve this "fresh" amp. Also during my demo I operated with balanced interconnects from my VAC preamp while I presently am using single ended until the cables I have ordered arrive. All that being said... the 2.4s have been a clear, and somewhat exciting, listening window into the new amp breakin process. At this point many of the initial rough edges have begun to transform into some of the most enticing aural images, with clarity and increased engagement. Unfortunately I will need to spend many more hours, and many more albums to reach the recommended minimum break-in period of 100 hours. A job assignment I think I will continue to enjoy...
I am currently using a Simaudio 340i integrated with my 3.6's. Previously I had a Pass Labs X150.5 amplifier, 150 into 8ohms, 300 watts into 4ohms with my CS3.5's and it was possibly the best combo I had. So much so I foolishly sold my first one only to buy another later. It's THAT good.
Unsound, another contributor here with a wealth of information regarding Thiel, correctly points out that the 3.6's require considerably more power than the 3.5's to perform best.
I'm currently weighing the possible return to separates and if - I said IF, jafant - I go that way again, Pass Labs tops my list.
Hello! I'm moving over to this forum to continue my journey. I am currently running McIntosh C41 preamp, MC7150 amp, Benchmark DAC1-PRE, Cambridge CXC transport, Realistic LAB-400 turntable and a MacBook pro for Roon, Tidal and ripped ALAC. And of course, my Thiel CS3.6's.
I have the possibility (50%) of selling the pre-amp and amp. I am not unhappy with any of the above pieces. I just enjoy finding a bargain, listening, and then moving up. At some point I might quit the hamster wheel, but for now, its time to change.
I love the 3.6's. So, if I get rid of the pre-amp and map, I could use the Benchmark as a pre (for a while and purchase a phono preamp) and concentrate on getting the best amp for the money. I am looking for something used in the $3k-$4k range. Tube or SS. Since auditioning is difficult in the Cincinnati area, I'm looking for good solid realistic suggestions. I'm all ears!
Thanks! for sharing your newest gear and its integration into your system. For the modern Thiel models, the CS 2.4, is certainly the sweet spot.
Interesting combo (VAC& Ayre) with Audience cabling. I, too, enjoy a tubed pre-amp on a solid-state power amp. Congratulations on your new home and listening room as well.
Give a shout out to your dealer/retailer. Happy Listening!
I would contact Rob Gillum at the Thiel facility in Kentucky and post your query to him. Hopefully, he can track the speaker by its serial number, providing the information you seek.
Keep us posted on your situation. Happy Listening!
The VAC is listed for sale, but have not received an acceptable offer yet. I may have the opportunity to retry it, but I like this new direction a lot. Tubes in the preamp and phono section remain.
Congratulations on your new addition! Larger room is always better and I'm sure you will see that after the move. I hope you still have the tube amp and try it after your move, but Ayre makes excellent products.
Sitting here today beginning the break in period of my new Ayre VX-5 Twenty into my Thiel CS2.4 Delivered from factory to my dealer on Thursday and I picked it up that evening. Put a few hours on these past few nights just enjoying the process. My XLR cables will arrive next week so using my Audience AU24SE RCAs between the VAC Renaissance Mk3 and the Ayre with AU24SE speaker cables. I loved the Thiel with my VAC KT88 amp, but this is a different level of enjoyment. In two weeks the system moves to our newly purchased home where it will have a room mostly dedicated to it and more room to stretch its musical legs. Need to get some hours on the amp now so we are well on our way through the initial break in period. Rick
A pair of Thiel speakers with model printed as 03A on connector board, but a sticker was placed over it that said 04. The sticker also had the serial number.
Only reason I know 03a was underneath is because one sticker fell off .
Thiel appealed to me the most for the fact that one does not have to spend big money to enjoy the music. One can spend any amount to achieve the desired effect or outcome. Choice is yours.
I would never participate in any hobby that has some kind of financial
I get that this is a Thiel thread, but since amplification and cables are being made part of the discussion...
If you ever wonder why our hobby isn’t taken seriously by the majority of sensible people on earth, watching an audiophile recommend that someone should spend $100,000 on amps and a minimum of $50,000 on cables for a high end speaker should be your first clue.
It seems those of us with a skeptical bone in our body are supposed to button our lips in the face of such conversations, for the good of the clan, but sometimes that’s not easy to do. Especially insofar as it makes a hobby that you love seem crazier than something you want to be involved in. This tends to be when I need to step away from the hobby just for the sake of my sanity.
You should stop your wannabe nonsense. The CDP and XM radio in your vehicle is not Reference System. Fine line between fantasy and reality. You are firmly in fantasy.
Yes, System I heard at last years AXPONA was total 250k with CAT electronics. I expected intimate knowledge and first hand experience for this kind of recommendation; Not what you can read on the internet and suppose, dream and take a wild guess at. My post says; I liked a pair that I heard. Not that I was buying. Rockports are what I am interested in and would easily match with my Pass amps. I think you surf the web and waste dealers time auditioning cables and equipment. Stick with your Thiels and buy a system that you can post and listen.
I have not read about an owner using Pass Labs on those ultra high-end speaker models. I suppose that the top of the line PL would work nicely.
Figure $100k on a pair of said speakers. Add another $100K (at least) on gear to drive them. Finally, most important, another $50K (low end) on proper cabling to tie the system together.
By my math= $250K to get started. Happy Listening!
I only know of (1) Thiel Dealer that has these speakers post Jim's death. Goldprint Audio in NC. Taylor is a good guy and operates out of his personal residence.
He gives the newest offerings a positive review. He carries Krell and Kimber Kable as well.
Thiel ,under Jim's designs and production, does serve as a reference point. After all, some of you guys own models 20+ years old and older. Backed by Rob there in Kentucky for continued service and parts, it is a no-brainer.
Others like Dave Garretson whom offers excellent OEM parts and upgrades to cross-over (s). Seals the deal for me. My decision was quite easy.
Nice! nkonor- when one steps up to that level, Rockport or Marten, be prepared to step up in electronics (CH Precision, Constellation, Gryphon, dCS) as well.
Moving away from the Thiel platform is a difficult task in that doing so laterally or moving up the proverbial food-chain obviously comes at a cost. No one here has yet commented on the new Thiel product line which, as it so happens to be, has as much to do with Jim Thiel as I do.
The return-on-investment Thiel extends is considerable in terms of sonics - personally speaking Thiel has become my reference point for what a loudspeaker can do. I am, as always and as an Audiogonian, curious about how other manufacturers compare. And I will no doubt purchase some others when opportunity arises. I've enjoyed Von Schweikert, Totem, Magnepan, Alon, KEF, DYNAUDIO. In this somewhat limited field the only manufacturer that comes close - to my ears - is Magnepan. It was interesting to learn of Jim Thiel's appreciation for planar speakers in an earlier post here.
For many including myself, this almost insane pursuit of fidelity is fantastically enjoyable. I believe that I was looking to buy a vintage Pioneer receiver a few years back when I stumbled onto this site and saw what my absence from actively pursuing hifi had become. To paraphrase my girl-friend's universal comment when she comes to my house, "is THAT new?" Almost as universally my reply is, "yes."
One of the questions I repeatedly ask of winemakers is whom they respect as winemakers. The answers are illuminating. I have as a result moved afar from my previous comfort zone with winemakers I once considered to be my benchmarks, my reference points. They remain in my vino-wheelhouse as Thiel remains in my audio-wheelhouse, always there, always referred to, always curious about others because of them.
Looked and found Avalon receipt. Delievered November 2005. 12yrs, Must be time for new Speakers. I have been thinking, Rockports for last year or so. No problems with Avalon drivers; Well broke-in.
On occasion, like nkonor moving to Avalon, I have read about previous Thiel owners moving to an Eggelston, Magico or Verity Audio speaker. It does not happen often (leaving Thiel) and making a lateral move.
Marten speakers also come into my mind as well.
Does anyone know how a Thiel would fare w/ Spectral, Souloution, or Vitus Audio gear?
Also, took me about 4yrs of Sonus Farber, ProAc, Wilsons to finally settle on the Avalons w/ Spectral DMA 360s ; now with my current setup. All of you have been taken by Thiel legacy Speakers. I agree ; They are great Speakers for the $ on used market.
Nkonor; myself, I needed to move on. Beat to All on this Journey
In general the 3.5s were the Thiels for me with a pair of Forte' model 7 monoblocks and then "Magic" with a pair of Spectral DMA 90s used as 200w monoblocks. When Kathy sent another midrange and a letter saying; No more drivers would be replaced under warranty! (Panic) I sold them and moved on.
Audio memory from at least 15-16 yrs ago is on a macro level for the 3.5s which I had for 7-8yrs. At least once a yr. I would blow a midrange or tweet. Kathy Gornick would have the replacement to me before I could get the driver boxed and to the Post Office. You remember things like this!
I do not remember models but both larger than 3.5s. Neither had midrange of 3.5s but yes, you knew the bass was from a larger speaker. There were (2) models of the Avalon Opus, ceramic tweet, mid and woof. ---- And ceramic tweet, mid, carbon woof with a small subwoofer firing out the bottom/ The model I have. No need for a separate sub with proper placement in treated room And Pass monoblocks.
Cool. Again, I'm sorry if I'm asking you to repeat info that exists somewhere in these 30 pages of posts....but did you try the last models - CS 2.7 and/or CS 3.7?
If so, what did you find more compelling about the older model's sound?
I'm certainly not trying to second guess your decision, I'm simply curious. (I happen to have been auditioning many possible replacement speakers for my 3.7s and it's been very hard for me to find something competitive).
It's been quite a while since I had the older CS6s which I loved, or heard the 3.5/3.6s. But one of the things I immediately heard from the 3.7 is a smoother, more coherent midrange, and less fussy about the listener positioning. There was always something of a slight "combing" effect I heard on other Thiels, and a hollowness that could appear in the upper midrange, which I never get from the 3.7s. Just my impressions...
upon my first demo of the CS 2.4, that was an immediate impression- a correct feel for highs, mids and lows. To coin Conrad Johnson "it just sounds right".
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