Thiel Owners

Thank You- claero

Cabling is certainly the most important component in any system, as it ties, all of the gear together.  Synergy is key.

Good to read that NBS is a match for Thiel speakers (this is the 1st time I have read about an owner using it).

Some other brands to consider;
Audience
Audioquest
Kimber Kable
Norodost
Transparent
Synergistic Research
Tara Labs

hihi

nice to meet u too ...

i owned a pair of cs6 ,ss2 and a mcs1 center . 

actually the first pair of thiel was 2.2,afterwards , i did have big trouble when i just start with 2.3i , the sound with meridian g68 pre amp and proceed hpa sound so lean . expecially all my cables are match for my previous krell pre amp with lots of mid n low . 

these are the cable that i think it works well with .

nbs speaker cable,cannot be power cable (soound obviouly harsh )
kimber pk10 (my thiel just cant lkive without it especially mcs1 will shout too high n burned tweeter few times)
madrigal gel one xlr ( thickest human vocal i try so far ) 

please share some matching cables too ....

regards

hi

nice to meet all thiel owners. just grab a second hand cs6  from my past 2.3 and 2.4 . cs6  have a warmer mid as i listen so far . i did try lots of cable to get a warmer and thicker mid range . 

one thing really want to mention . the dynamic speed n punch of thiel was  the best i heard so far . using it for av system was just punchy as hell .the push n stop reaction just made the hdmovie more exciting . i did try find speakers that can replace thiel in speed but i cant . please let me know if u do know .

hope the real thiel will always be with you 

Another pair of cherry CS 2.4 speakers for sale now.  (2) pairs for sale in th same week?  Hopefully each will find a new home.

Happy Listening!

Guys-

here on the 'Gon there is a cherry (no pun) pair of CS 2.4 speakers at an excellent value.  A pair of CS 2.3 speakers as well.

Happy Listening!

Excellent! oblgny-

you have provided a very nice review of the Simaudio.  This amp is getting quite a "buzz" around the net.  Not a bad review from any owner.

In my personal quest, I have not ruled out an integrated.
Conrad Johnson , Mark Levinson, Pass Labs and Wells Audio has my interest peaked for sure. I have to find dealers/retailers who stock these wares for audition. I would never buy any piece, at this level, w/o a demo.

Good to read that you are enjoying the new gear in your system.
Do not forget the Cabling!

Happy Listening!

jafant...

Sheesh, dude - I was just submitting a post to an unrelated thread (Maggies) when I closed it to submit an update here!  Eeeeerie...

First and foremost I have to offer that we all should REALLY, and I mean really, read the manufacturers manuals thoroughly. As a now official "old fart" with decades long experience of hooking up 2 channel hifi many times over, I most often took the manuals out immediately, glanced at them, and tossed them into a drawer somewhere or, even worse, into the recycle bin. Mind you, these acts of carelessness were committed when my mindset was, "well, here's ANOTHER piece of equipment I'll own forever."

And then I stumbled upon Audiogon...

On point...

As per the Simaudio manual's suggestion to leave the unit "on" at all times - advice that I previously determined to be foolish from any manufacturer - I have to admit that it makes complete sense with the 340i integrated.  As you already know I employ a Furman conditioner in my system which controls the power to all my components. I have left the Furman "on" all the time since purchasing the 340i, leaving it in "idle".  Powering off the 340i immediately puts it in idle mode. There is an on/off switch on the rear of its chassis if one is inclined to do so, but it's located in an absurdly tight space requiring some awkward finger searching, not to mention unnecessary monkeying around with the piece if it's in a rack. If there's news of a storm I simply power down the Furman. 

Anyway...

Yes Virginia, there IS a sanity-clause. Simaudio's owner manual suggests that leaving the unit in idle will serve to break the amplifier in, that it will sound better with some amount of hours of operation.  Having owned a fair amount of tube equipment in the past distant and recent  I knew that well in advance. 

The 340i however, unlike anything I've owned in the past, became quite a different source of amplification yesterday afternoon  by following the suggestion. Jeepers - imagine that!

Moving from CS3.5 to CS3.6 has been an education in how "moving up" a manufacturer's lineup may infer "mo' better", but rarely if ever delivers.  In my case it has - in spades. 

Yesterday afternoon I turned on the HAP to spend a few hours relaxing after getting a quote on a new roof for the house. (Shit - there goes the Pass Labs monoblocks!)  Kidding...

What the 3.6's showed me immediately when I hooked them up a few weeks back had become considerably more refined, focused, defined. The soundstage, which I believe I previously mentioned as seeming to float 3 feet in front of the speakers, remained intact, gaining a sense of presence they possessed before - after all we're talking Thiel here - but now almost tangible. The 340i had broken in. 

Man, the lower midrange and bass became tighter at low volume, again, more defined. Prior to yesterday I was thinking, "gee, this amp kinda overlooks the low end at low volume" - which could also be said of the Thiels - but it became well defined and true, "musical" instead of "reproductive" if you will.  At first the 340i seemed to "thicken" the midrange compared to the Pass Labs/BAT setup I enjoyed prior, but now more articulate, less emphasized?  The mids on the 3.6 are outstanding to begin with, here the instruments could be better recognized. 

The upper mids and the highs...stunning, and from speakers that are well known for doing that in the first place.  Again, listening to one of my reference tunes, "Cyril Davis" off of Ginger Baker's "Why?", the piano gained presence, weight, definition. 

I promise not to use "defined/definition" again. 


Well,  I'll at least try not to...

This is the same amp, same speakers, same source, same cabling. What the 340i was holding back it just gushed yesterday afternoon. 
Moving up to the 3.6's over the 3.5's has been an absolute pleasure.  The 3.6's midrange is far more immediate than the 3.5's had been, it's lower midrange and bass reproduction is as fine, perhaps even more articulate than I enjoyed from the 3.5's. 

jafant...I am almost hesitant to suggest yet another possible source to drive your 2.4se's but...Simaudio might find a place in your list you most patient  son-of-a-gun!

PS:  I've moved the speakers 9 feet apart, 18" inches from the back wall. Mo' better. My virtual systems page shows my current setup. Take special note of the Salamander cabinet.  I bought that for $189, tax included, at Stereo Exchange in NYC when they were selling off to the walls to relocate. They're reopening soon. 

Happy Friday! All -

Happy Friday! All -

On the other side of this coin, a Conrad Johnson Gat or ART3 would fit the bill very nicely!

Happy Listening!

The ARC Ref5 SE is tops in my book- William.
You would hard-pressed to find one better.

Happy Listening!

Just thinking about my old setup for a while today which results in my leaning toward Acoustic Research preamps with Thiel over Balanced Audio Technology, PS Audio, Musical Fidelity, and a couple of passives I'd ran through the Pass amp. 

To my ears the ARC didn't color as much even though the other pre's mentioned couldn't be said to be "colored", either. Had the ARC pre's had a remote I may have never considered others. If - and I do mean IF - I decide to return to separates in the near or distant future ARC will be my choice in preamps. 

Thiel CS3.6, # 4789 and 4790.

Thiel CS3.6,  # 3021 and 3022. 

Another thought on a 'SE' registry;
an exact number (#) of pairs produced is helpful to determine (hopefully) left over parts, drivers, cross-overs...etc., that are still stocked w/ Rob in KY.

PLease list your serial #'s on the CS 2.4SE models as soon as possible.

Happy Listening!

Always good to see you- oblgny

Happy Listening!

Thanks! for the follow up as to wether or not Larry worked for Jim Thiel.

An official "registry" could be of use to Rob in Kentucky.

Happy Listening!

jonandfamily-

both ARC and CJ are sonic matches for Thiel loudspeakers.

Happy Listening!

Thanks! for sharing- prof and saffron_boots

Yes, I believe there is a need for a 'SE' registry.
I own pair- 177/178.

Happy Listening!

Good to see you here- Drrsutliff

Happy Listening!

It IS so worth putting together a registry!

Thanks for the info saffron.

@prof @jafant Don't believe I'm doxing him, but Larry was Director of Sales, and Marketing at Thiel Audio ~2000.  He's mentioned the positions in other threads on here.

With respect to the 2.4SE numbers: according to Rob's memory they made ~200 of the 300 run.  The paperwork is lost which is why the number is inexact.  Sounds like everything went to hell, with the closing of the original Lexington, KY location, and the laid-off staff walking out unceremoniously.  Also, it doesn't appear the speakers were "buttoned up" sequentially either, which could lead to the situation of my pair (181, 182) being the last to leave the factory and yet, not be the highest numbered ones.

I wonder if it's worth putting together a Signature Edition Registry, to see what numbers are out there, and their location?

Cheers,
Warren  

miyu...

I agree with oblgny. The AR/Thiel setup is NOT a mismatch. I think there is a misconception that lower powered tube amps can't drive the Thiels. I have driven my 3.6s with the AR VSi60 and the Ref75 with excellent results. I am now very satisfied with my AR Ref150. I have ventured into solid state Bryston and Krell amps, but I have come back to the tubes and I have no plans to change.

Man, I had some good listening last night...Nicky, Ruth and Heather's voices on The Wailin' Jennys "40 Days" album is absolutely stunning. Their voices are so distinctly focused on the soundstage and blend so seamlessly!

The amp currently employed for my Thiel 2.4s is a 100 watt per channel VAC PA100/100 that was upgraded a few years ago. With the choice of an 8, 4, or 2 ohm speaker tap off the transformers this amp performs amazingly well and with Audience 24AU SE cabling the system sounds sublime.  My curiosity is getting the best of me about more power and this has led me to arrange a home audition of an Ayre VX-5 "twenty" starting this afternoon for a couple of days.  Should be fun.

miyu...

I don't find your AR/Thiel setup a mismatch at all. In the past I ran a couple of AR preamps, an LS2, then an LS2b, and an LS 3, and I found each to mate exceptionally with my Thiels. 

My listening levels are conservative to say the least.  My CS2.2's were played with a 35 watt per channel integrated amp - the beginning of my suffering from a chronic, then undiagnosed, case of severe audiophilia.  There is no cure, besides, the disease is fun. 

Remaining high on my list of manufacturers that seem to have an affinity for Thiel are Acoustic Research, Balanced Audio Technology, Pass Labs, Threshold. Of these my top choices are Pass and AR.  

I'm currently digging my Simaudio 340i integrated with my 3.6's, my quest to "dumb down" from all the wiring and procedural complexities encountered with separates. So far, so good.  

Turn it on, turn it up!

Happy Listening!

If you go over to Thiel's facebook page there's far more interest in older Thiels than in recent models.  Lots of pictures of systems with real Thiel speakers and people talking about how great they are.  Virtually no interest in the current stuff.  It may have been impossible for the company to improve on Jim Thiel's designs and they may have needed to go a different direction but it's clearly a bummer for a lot of people. 

I've had a pair of CS .5's for years now and I still love them.  Currently driven by AR Ref 75.  You might think of that as a mis-match, but I don't think so.  Sounds so sweet.  I heard these just after they were released when Bay Area Audio in San Jose had a showroom.  Paired with an AR amp (neither the owner nor I can remember which one) and it was one of the best audiophile listening room experiences I've ever had.  I couldn't afford the amp back then but I bought the speakers.  Many years later I finally was able to afford a super nice AR amp and now the combo is in listening room 1. 

Just an FYI guys...There is a set of 2.4's on eBay.
Atlanta and local pick up only, but perfect condition.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Thiel-CS-2-4-Floorstanding-Loudspeakers-pair-Walnut-/222483512083?hash=item3...

oblgny, nkonor ...etc.,

I plan on a few trips this Summer to demo gear. More to follow.

Happy Listening!

jafant,

+1 on update?

jafant...

A little update on your personal quest?  

michaeljbrown...

It may well be that a lot more of the CS3.6's were sold than your 6's,  but could it also be that people are way more reluctant to give them up?  The only reason I sold off my 3.5's was to offset/fund the purchase of my 3.6's which,  as you can imagine,  was one of my better audio moves on the last few years.  The fellow member who purchased the 3.5's from me drove from Massachusetts to pick them up - and these were to be his second,  perhaps even backup pair lest his current 3.5's need repair.  Thiel folks are a stubborn lot,  ain't we though?

My Audiogon/Thiel addiction has had me checking out Thiels for sale virtually every day for the past couple of years.   There's still a pair of 5's up for sale that have been there for well over a year,  a pair of Cs5i's came and went on eBay,  then came and went again with no sale - at least to my knowledge.  With the legacy models being extraordinary bargains unlike any other brand,  I'm quite surprised that a secondary market hasn't proliferated.  There has yet to be a single person who has heard my system that isn't impressed as hell with the Thiels.

For now I am happy as a clam with the 3.6's,  and they,  like your 6's,  may find a mention in my will...I'll be cremated,  but not the speakers!

Happy Friday! All -

Absolutely! michaeljbrown

Happy Listening!

I'm enjoying the thread this evening; It looks as though a lot more 3.6's were sold than CS6, as I don't see many in this forum who have the 6's. At present I'm listening to Cannonball Adderly through my CS6's powered by Krell fpb 250 monoblocks. The bass /vocal blend in "Cannon Reloaded" is jazz club real. I've had all the bigger Thiels except the 7.2's and 3.6.: and I am fine with that. My CS6's will pass with my estate. In fact, I may just bury them with me. When the wife is away, how loud and late will I play!

Fellow Thiel lovers like you, William, makes it possible to have a flourishing thread here. All of you guys are doing an awesome job sharing ideas, experiences and listening expertise.

Keep up the outstanding work!
Happy Listening!

Man, I'm feeling mighty pleased with myself here...

First a musician relates that my description of Thiel's bass reproduction was an accurate description of it, then another post says I nailed it when I stated I find Thiels to be Maggies with bass...THEN he goes onto relate that Jim Thiel also appreciated what panels do so well. 

I think Jim Thiel nailed it, as well. The two brands of speakers that have literally stopped me in my tracks have been Thiels and Maggies.  
Only.  I started with CS2.2 with Thiel, and the MMG series from Magnepan - in either instance once I hit the play button I had to spin around. I could barely believe how good they sounded. 

Obviously I opt for Thiel for many reasons. First, the bass, the clarity, the mids and highs that panels excel with and that Thiels leave nothing to be desired. 

I only wish that the "new" Thiel company could find this thread and find something in it to make them see that abandoning Jim Thiel's vision
is a woeful mistake. 

Great thread, great posts folks!

Right On! prof

Happy Listening!

Good to see you- Irsky

did you work for Thiel?

Happy Listening!

thieliste-

enjoy the show!

Happy Listening!

Larry (irsky),

Do you mean you worked for Jim Thiel?

I had a conversation with Jim at a CES years ago and we got into his motivation regarding speaker design.  He told me that he'd originally been very enthusiastic about panel speakers (stats and ribbons) because of what they did so well.  But ultimately he concluded there were some inherent design limitations that he couldn't see getting past, and that though he felt box speakers were not quite at the level of planar performance, there was more potential to be exploited in future designs, so he went with box speaker route.

I have to say that Jim was certainly right.  To my ears the limitations of panels remain to this day, especially electrostatics.  That is a certain weightless lack of air-moving quality that, though transparent, doesn't excite the room.  It's like watching musicians perform in another room, as it were. This is just were good dynamic speakers excel - Jim's designs being a perfect example - of bringing forth that density and presence in the sound.   This I think is behind the comments we often hear about Thiels being like "maggie's with bass."  It's not just the bass region, but Thiels produce a transparency and tonality quite like maggies, but with the air-pushing presence through the whole spectrum.