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!
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Keep me posted - William.
Happy Listening!
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jafant,
Which cables are you using with your Thiels and Music Direct catalog?
Audio memory and notes from years ...... past are a pipe dream.
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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
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Threshold is still very much relevant. These are killer SS power amps that sound incredible. Happy Listening!
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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!
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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. |
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Oblgny, which Threshold did you have? Did you ever have your CS 3.5 eq's modified to mono balanced units? |
Right On! oblgny
Happy Listening!
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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.
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Which Transparent cabling will you use w/ the Simaudio?
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You sold the Pass Labs- oblgny?
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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 |
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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. |
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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.
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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!
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Excellent! thieliste
enjoy your travels and listen to some good gear for me. Good to see you again.
Happy Listening!
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So Jafant should they be fine, no worries about the serial number? Thanks |
Hey guys I'm enjoying Florida weather at the moment, I did my Ypsilon home demo on Feb 25 and it went flawlessly.
The distributor came the night before to plug all the gear in my system and we started the auditions the next day in the afternoon.
My Hegel HD12 DAC ended up being a serious bottleneck with the Ypsilon pre and monoblocks.
Luckily the distributor brought a Playback Designs CD player and an Helixir Audio DAC.
With the PD CD player we really started enjoying the huge potential of an Ypsilon system driving Thiel cs 3.7s.
I can tell you guys that I never heard my speakers sing in the past like that day!!
The midrange was the most magical I've heard to date, I felt like crying at some point.
The bass was very solid with huge articulation, there was a lot of air between instruments.
The soundstage is something I have never experienced in the past on Thiel speakers, holographic and extremely stable.
When we switched for the Helixir DAC it got even better, higher resolution and more relaxed.
If you are looking for an awesome DAC under 10K take a look at the Helixir Audio DAC retail for 7.5k.
To sum it up Ypsilon is phenomenal gear most probably competing with brands like CH Précision for half of the budget.
The Aelius ll monoblocks with only 200w into 8 ohms had a very good grip on my speakers.
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As per dweller- he owns #191 & 192 loudspeakers. Happy Listening! |
Go for it! marqmike.
Happy Listening! |
I am glad somebody said something about the serial numbers. I was giving them serious thought. If they are good 'se's' and nobody here wants them I will take a stab at them. I have wanted to get some Thiels again some time. Thanks |
It would be of interest to learn precisely the number of pairs built.
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Nice catch! saffron_boots
I have had a few interactions w/ dweller over the years. Good to see you again. Happy Listening!
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Ooooh, somebody's selling a pair of SE's on here. Curious that the serial number (191/300) is higher than Thiel Audio told me the run terminated at, a few years ago. Guess you can't believe everything you're told... |
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Very nice! reubent
I was in Dallas TX a few years ago at Audio Concepts, when, the newest Rega Saturn-R cd player/dac as introduced. Most important, what cabling are you using?
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jafant,
My 2-channel system changes pretty often. At the moment I'm using:
Rega Elicit-R Integrated Amp
Rega Saturn-R CD transport/DAC
Pro-Ject Debut Carbon DC Esprit SB Turntable
Raspberry Pi 3b/HiFiBerry DAC+ Pro/Moode Audio Music server/streamer
Vintage Infinity RS1.5 Speakers |
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Absolutely! reubent
good to see you again. Keep us posted on your H/T project and upon completion, post pics here in Virtual Systems.
What gear is in your 2-channel set-up? What gear is going into your H/T system?
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Hey Jafant,
I own 5 Thiel PowerPlane 1.2s that are destine for a future HT system. They are current sitting in a closet in my 2-channel room. Can I still be in your club? ....... :~)
And Happy Friday to you too!
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Good to see you- audiotroy
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Thanks! for sharing- bobsjr4
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Another nail? Did anyone see that Thiel is selling their TM3s at half price on Ebay? $1500 including stands. |
Thieliste,
CH precision is very fine gear, I would point out to you a recent Absolute Sound Article where Allan Taffel from TAS who owns CH precision A1 Monoblocks, a CH precison preamp as well, was comparing his current $100k setup to a $19k T+A PA 3000 integrated amplifier and found the must less expensive T+A piece sounded almost indentical.
The T+A seperates are considerably better and especially in Europe would represent a fantastic deal.
Also they have a similar speed, and transparency to the CH gear, I think they are also a bit warmer which should mate extremely well with your Thiels and the amp has fantastic bass control so I really think you would be thrilled with the sound!
You should be able to find a dealer in France with this wonderful gear.
We have the T+A P 3000 preamp, along with the A 3000 power amplifier with the outboard power supply on display in our shop,and it is the best solid state gear I have ever heard and every speaker we connect with it, the sound is remarkable.
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