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!
128x128jafant

Precisely unsound-


I do hope the above CJ amp finds a good home. Backed by both Conrad Johnson and Bill Thalmann, parts and service are readily available.


Happy Listening!

^Well, it does seem as though he's been shopping this thread for advice on amplification for his CS 2.4 SE's for over a year now.
Post removed 
Much Thanks! robinbarbour-
yes, this is a stone classic for sure.  I wish it were closer to me though.
I would never have an amp like this shipped cross-country.

Happy Listening!
jafant,
They are selling your amp on ebay! : )
This is one for the archives...I remember reading about someone that sent one of these to cj for update to modern caps they use today.
This is a very rare bird indeed.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/152478204813?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
Thanks robin I will give the PCS a shot. The MCS 1 is a killer center but it has to have the right supporting cast. Concur also on the inwall speakers, especially the front ones. My power points are ok, as they are more directional. With the mains, a show with YoYo Ma sounded shrill..Don't see many PCS, will try Ebay, even though I have already given them enough money recently.
I don't see anything wrong with trying 2.2's or 2.3's either...
michaeljbrown,
Have you thought about the Thiel PCS? Identical drivers as used in the MCS and less obtrusive. I used four along with MCS and Smartsub prior to my current system and sounded great.
I never really liked the in wall premise for surround sound - too much depends on placement for good sound and no options with in wall. 
Good to see you- michaeljbrown

 I am certain that Bob in Dallas is very grateful that he bought your CS 2.4 loudspeakers!  The 2.4 is the one model that started my love and passion for Thiel loudspeakers. 

I concur, seek out another pair of CS 2.4 or better, the CS 2.4SE and you will once again be musically rewarded.

Happy Listening!
Hey guys, I haven't posted in awhile, as I've been revising my separate HT system. Unfortunately, I sold my 2.4's to Bob in Dallas. I had the misapprehension that they were wasted as mains in HT duty.
Wrong.
I have Thiel power planes in wall right & left front, with Thiel MCS1 center and powerpoint rears; the sub is a Thiel SS1. 
But Now the center MCS 1 dominates the smaller powerplanes, so I was thinking to get some thiel 2 series mains, like the 2.2 or 2.3..The 2.4's are scarce, and expensive. Two more MCS1's would be killer, but are too high(over 3200 on ebay). I think the 1.5's are not enough, and of course my CS6's are firmly ensconced in my 2 channel system. They would be ridiculous anyway in my HT system. So, I figure the best deal would be 2.2's, which I had for over 10 years before going up to 2.3's and then the 2.4's.  Any ideas, guys?
Yeah, I know. Bite the bullet, admit I screwed up, and find some more 2.4's!

I don't know if "carefully selected" is an apt description. I looked up serendipity in the dictionary and a picture of my system was there ;-)

Jay
Right On! Jay,

I have been around Audio long enough to learn that a proper mix of cabling can work, if carefully selected.  Happy Listening!
Haha yes, interesting mix indeed but it works for me. I do plan to change them up over time and am partial to Cardas for the interconnects but love the Purist for my speaker cabling.

A Wilson may still be in the future for me but not in the immediate one :-)

Best,

jay
Good to see you-  jcatral14

I have been reading about Wadia owners not being able to get parts/service for their spinners? This is unacceptable, IMO.  Hope the company goes under soon.

While, I have not spent time w/ Sabrina, I did spend much time w/ the Sophia/Sasha models. Nice speakers that plays well (no pun) w/ tubed and ss gear. Look at the price one must spend, then, one must nail -down the correct gear and cabling (Transparent is the best).

I still preferred the CS 2.4, 2.4SE. 2.7 or 3.7 in Thiel over the Wilson.


Reading over your system- you have an interesting mix of Cabling!

Happy Listening!
Had been eyeing Wilson Sabrinas for the past year ever since I heard them at CES 2016 but now I'm not so sure.

My Wadia 850CDP recently gave up the ghost and can't be revived anymore :-( so I had to look for a replacement. Settled on a PS Audio PWT and DSJ combo and just got them last Friday. Installed them and WOW!!!!!

Not sure I have heard my 3.6 sound this good! :-D

Current setup:

PWT >HDMI(I2S) > DSJ > MIT interconnect (not sure what model) > ARC LS2B > Cardas Balanced > Classes CA-200 > Purist Elementa > Thiel 3.6

I'm really enjoying my system. Can't wait till the digital front end breaks in :-)

Maybe I'll use the funds for the Sabrina on a new Pass Labs INT250 ;-)

Have a good one!
R. I. P.  Chuck Berry...

Upon learning of his passing last night I began rummaging through my cd and vinyl collection in the hope of finding an album of his to spin in tribute. 

It wasn't long before I discovered that I don't own a single recording of his in my collection. 

Then I looked at the hundreds of albums I own again and realized,  oh yes I do. 


Jafant...

Reply to a few posts back,  no I never went about getting my 3.5's eq's modded into balanced mono operation because Rob @ Thiel more or less failed to see the benefit for me.  I still have 2 eq's so if one fails...  Besides, work has been consuming me since January - a good thing mostly!

Selling off my Pass is something you'd think I'd be regretting by now since I've had two and have mentioned my appreciation for its synergy with my Thiels.  I stand by that even without owning one now.  

Do I miss it now - replaced by the Simaudio Neo 340i integrated?  Not really.  Is it different? Yes.  I almost had a Pass 150 Int but it slipped away before I could commit. Aaargh. 

What eventually got my money is Simaudio's trade up program.  Depending upon the piece of equipment and duration of ownership they offer a credit toward a new piece of up too 100% for the old.  Not too shabby.  

Comparatively speaking the Neo is perhaps a smidgen more emphatic in the lower frequencies without sacrificing anything from the highs - not "bloomy" bass, but more notable.  The Thiels are well known for the mids and highs to begin with - according to many folks - and that's what put them in my wheelhouse to begin with. 

Perhaps the biggest difference I've been enjoying is the simplicity of using it. This is hardly a knock on separates which I may return to at some point, but I don't miss the "mission control" series of procedures one must undertake to listen;  conditioner, on!  Preamp, on!  Turntable preamp, on!  Power amp on !  Warm up sequence engaged...enjoy!

The Neo is an excellent amp for the 3.5's and I appreciate it more every day. The remote's volume control could benefit from a more delicate step in increasing or decreasing levels, but it's a small kvetch overshadowed by having a remote so I can relax even more.  I'm very into relaxing. 

IMHO what the Neo adds to my downsized system what my separates lacked is simplicity without a discernible, or at least a resounding difference in sonics. As I've said, "Thiels reveal!",  and what they reveal now is that Simaudio has excellent compatibility.  

Enjoy the weekend, folks!


jafant,

Which cables are you using with your Thiels and Music Direct catalog?
Audio memory and notes from years ...... past are a pipe dream.


I just picked up my Neo 340i integrated yesterday.  Pretty impressive piece of gear. 

First impression...well worth the adventure. 

Extended listening to be determined...

This is the top model in the line which includes dac, phono, and remote. 

My 3.5's like it!

Welcome! usabod1


I have read about Rogue Audio being  a sonic match for Thiel speakers.

The M-180 amps are supposed to really make the CS 2.4 or CS 2.7 open up and sing! Which cabling are you using ?


Happy Listening!

Good to see you- ronkent


Always good to read about you guys using a more modern speaker- CS 2.7- what cabling is in your system?


Happy Listening!

I can understand the dedication to the Thiels. My CS2.4s aren't going anywhere either. I recently bought a Rogue Sphinx 2 to match up with my Ascend Acoustics bookshelves. For kicks I hooked it up to my Thiels. Wow! It's now sitting in my big listening room on top of my Bryston 4BSST. It sounds more musical and just makes me want to listen longer. It also makes a great preamp into my Bryston when I want more power but the sound is not as musical as the Rogue by itself.
I have followed this thread for quite a while and decided to enter my four cents. i have been a loyal thiel owner since 1985 when i got my first pair of CS2s.   since then i have owned 2.2,  2.4, and now i have a wonderful pair of 2.7's with outriggers.  I have owned tons of different electronics over the years but stayed loyal to Thiel,  sort of like fourwinds above.  I currently use the PS Audio BHK 250 amp with them and that is a great match. if anyone reading this needs a set of the sound anchor platforms for 2's and 2.2's,  please let me know.  ktager@triad.rr.com
Threshold is still very much relevant. These are killer SS power amps that sound incredible. Happy  Listening!
Good to see you- fourwnds

the CS 2.4 was the starting point for me as well. It simply cannot be beat (no pun) for a used/demo price.  Happy Listening!
Jafant...

It was the 400a model, 100 watts into 8, 200 watts into 4 ohms. It sounded uncannily similar to the Pass 150.5 which...made absolute sense considering the Pass association. 

Just too much stuff!
One of these days I will get back to Thiel. It's the speaker that started this passion/obsession for me. They were the CS2 and then the 1.5. I desperately wanted the 2.4 but never found a pair I could afford. Those speakers imaged and disappeared like magic. 
Oblgny, which Threshold did you have? Did you ever have your CS 3.5 eq's modified to mono balanced units?
Jafant...

They were silver looking floorstanders. 

Yes, after having the Pass twice I just decided it was time to leave separates behind.  I was becoming too gear oriented methinks.  

I'm kinda nuts for doing so but...it's only a possession and I can return if and when I want. 

One button and ON!

ill keep you appraised of my upgrade path in cabling. 
I had to take a moment and compose myself- William.
 I cannot believe that you sold all of that gear?

I will say that Simaudio would be a close second to Pass Labs in solid-state gear at this juncture.  If those Wilson speakers were a floorstander, it was the Sabrina model.  Otherwise, it was the monitor model.


Whoa...been busy as hell here. 

Anyway...

Audio Den carries the full Transparent line but doesn't stock every sku. I had a revelation about two weeks ago regarding the crazy pursuit of this enjoyable hobby. I came to the realization that while it has always been music first, I've been pretty preoccupied with equipment recently. (Say, the last two years.)

So I sez to myself, the hell with all the pieces, the wires, the procedures - lemme get back to listening. So...

I sold the BAT.  I sold the Pass. I sold the CJ. I sold the Theshold.  (Sound familiar, folks?)

Whilst I was at Audio Den checking out the Transparent cables they had a Simaudio Neo 340i integrated on a shelf. 100 watts 8ohm, 200 watts 4ohm and a phono stage and a dac and a bevy of other good things. I first heard this little piece (in comparison to my aforementioned pieces anyway) through a $16k pair of Wilson somethingorothers there and was pretty impressed.  Needless to add my Neo arrives next week. 

I mention all this because all I want to do is listen to my Thiels. Amps, preamps, CD players, servers, dacs have come and gone and no doubt will continue to do so but, these Thiels simply aren't anything I'm willing to sacrifice. 

Unless, of course...another pair arise
Sidenote:

I did ask and invite the seller- dweller- to join in here on this thread and post his thoughts and listening impressions on the CS 2.4SE speakers.

I would like to learn more about the gear and cabling in his current system.
Good points- saffron_boots,

I do not have a COA either. Were those issued w/ these speakers?

I do have the complete (box and all paperwork) outriggers precisely like the pic featured in the ad.  Again, these are absolute gorgeous loudspeakers at an excellent price and value- Go For It!
@marqmike I wouldn't worry about the serial number honestly.  There are a few other distinguishing characteristics of the SE's that can be seen in the photos: the mounting hardware, the bevel behind the baffle, the veneer and finish.

I am writing a blog post the SE's so I had already posed the question of exact number to Rob.  Seems as though Lana's personal email doesn't work anymore.  I don't know if she's still there in KY.

Don't be surprised if there isn't a COA either.  I didn't get one.  The company was in such a state of flux at the time the last pairs were built, a lot of things slipped through the cracks.  


Good to see you- marqmike,

I would not worry about the serial #'s. dweller is an honest seller, besides, it would be quite a task to alter those plates on the back of these speakers.
The plaques are laser etched, very profesional per Jim Thiel.

This does raise the question about the exact number of pairs built?
I wonder if Rob at Thiel in Kentucky knows the answer to this query?

At any rate, keep me posted and Happy Listening!
Excellent! thieliste

enjoy your travels and listen to some good gear for me. Good to see you again.

Happy Listening!