Thiel Owners
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 |
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. |
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 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 |
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. |
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! |
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. |
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! |
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! |
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! |
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! |
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. |
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... |
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 |
| Post removed |
| Post removed |
Sure- unsound, I will be in a position to travel as soon as Summer arrives. I do have my plan narrowed down to a tubed pre-amp and solid-state power amp. I have heard this combo spread among several different Audio brands and really enjoyed the musicality and synergy. This combo also jives very well w/ Thiel loudspeakers. |
