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!
greetings. i have not read all the way through all the posts, but if you are looking for a great amp with Thiel, i have had great success with matching my 2.7's with the new PS Audio BHK amp. It can handle anything and has a wonderful sound. it replaced a really nice Marantz silver reference amp, and was a good improvement. if anyone reading this is interested, i do have a set of Sound Anchor speaker stands for Thiel speakers (either 2.2 or 2.4). please feel free to let me know if you are interested
the CJ 350 SS is a very fine power amp. Not many were built, rather rare as owners tend to hold onto them. I wish that CJ would update this particular amp. Happy Listening!
I do not own the CJ 350 SS amp. I am always on the look out for one. I have not heard it w/ an ARC pre-amp. I did demo it w/ a CJ ACT2 Series2. This is my reference, best audition to date.
Definitely not First Watt. The F6 offers the most power into 4 ohms which is 50 watts per channel which...may not be enough for your 2.7's. You already know how quickly I moved from my FW M2 amp to the Pass X150.5.
Like I've mentioned my listening level is very conservative and I very nearly purchased a new Pass 30.8 which offered 60 watts into my 4 ohm Thiels, but another X150.5 came up and I jumped on it. Based on my history I think the 30.8 would have sufficed but then...mo' power in reserve is mo' better almost all the time. I did not audition the M2 nor the X150.5 prior to purchase, either. I purchased them based upon threads here, reviews, and word of mouth.
Jafant, Not all Pass Labs and Krell's can keep doubling down to 2 Ohms. Furthermore, even if a manufacturer suggests that they can, it might be prudent to check third party testing results such as those found in Stereophile, etc.. I quite often find that manufacturer claims, even from some of the more popular and respected brands frequently don't measure up to expectations. While I don't have a lot of confidence in all of the loudspeaker measurements, there seems to be little to fault with regard to their electronics measurements.
my demo w/ the Aesthetix gear was in a combo Macbook server/Oppo 105D, Vandy Treo/Quattro loudspeakers. It was a little tough to discern any fault(s) in that system. Both the Treo/Quattro speakers a very difficult to set up and dial-in to a room (i have read). I can report that the room was dead quiet and sound -proofed to the max, courtsey of John Fort Audio in Dallas TX.
I did spend a few different listening sessions over a few different weeks for good measure. In the past, I have enjoyed several Vandy auditions- the 2CE/Ci and 3A / A Signature speakers. IMO, these sound better than the Treo/Quattro. Overall, Vandy is not Thiel, which is the reason why, I prefer the CS Series- CS 2.4, CS 2.4SE, CS 2.7 & the mighty CS 3.7 loudspeakers.
Do you live in France? The Paris show is excellent, I read the reviews every year. Much Thanks! for posting your thoughts and impressions.
A few years ago, I had a demo w/ a system featuring TAD speakers as well. I was not impressed, especially, for that kind of money? So, the presentation may not be of ML fault? Every time I have demo'ed ML gear, I was not disappointed- even w/ Aerial loudspeakers (another disappointment).
Have not had an opportunity to audition Dan D'Agostino's gear, Gryphon as Jond pointed out, Hegel nor MW. I have spent time w/ the Aesthetix gear- it is excellent! You will enjoy your listening time.
As always, do not forget to give a shout-out to your local dealer/retailer.
Jafant, i was at the Paris high end show last weekend and was able to audition the latest gear on different speakers. You asked in an ealier post about lastest Mark Levinson gear, well i was able to audition the n° 519 all in one network player with a pair of n° 536 monoblocks driving TAD Compact Reference and i can tell you i was very disappointed. The Mark Levinson gear was very bright and fatiguing. I was considering this gear for my CS 3.7 but for this kind of money i can have much better. I liked very much the Gryphon Diablo 300, pretty warm, organic and what a base slam.That would be the integrated to choose for the bigger Thiels. As of seperates 4 good options are the Hegel H30, the Dan d'Agostino Classic amp, Modwright KWA 150 in stereo or mono config and last but not least Aesthetix amps and preamp. I'm going to audition Aesthetix gear this thursday at a dealer's. If you have the budget and want to go much higher end you have Steve McCormack's SMC audio gear. Regards,
Never any need to apologize- unsound. There is nothing wrong w/ being practical (dogmatic) about our wonderful hobby. It is quite easy to get lost within the manufacturers' hype, as these companies, attempt to sell their wares to the general public.
I started this thread for ALL of us. The good and bad, positive and negative, difference of opinions. No doubt that I am looking for a power amp that can double-down into the 2-Ohm region. Pass Labs and Krell will fit that bill.
Am I missing any other power amp manufacturers? Ayre? Classe' ?
Jafant, please forgive me if I appear dogmatic with regard to impedance, etc., but I do believe that these considerations are paramount when qualifying amplifiers for consideration with a given loudspeaker.
Thank You- unsound for your steadfast position on the sub 3-Ohm subject. I do not know the listening habits nor levels of the owner in that particular system?
I did inquire about any problem/issue(s) that he experienced w/ the overall synergy of the gear. The gentleman in question is more Vinyl that digital, if this makes a difference?
The Gryphon gear, as jond and unsound, suggests is really exciting for sure. It is hard to justify buying into a brand that does not have USA representation. The same fares well for Cabling, as much as , I am a proponent for it. Really some fantastic brands in the EU/Germany currently.
As we prepare for a new year, I remark, new possibilities regarding these companies obtaining U.S. distribution.
It wouldn't appear as though the Rogue's are ideal for sub 3 Ohm impedances: http://www.stereophile.com/content/rogue-audio-m-180-monoblock-power-amplifier-measurements#LVjCMXjMd2M7Rf56.97
I think you might find the Rogues to be within your wheelhouse - at least certainly pricewise.
I had a Cronus Magnum 100 w per side integrated and was quite content for a while. From what I've read excellent customer care as well. I was THIS close to buying a pair of M150's locally when my house needed a roof or something...
A (prospective) gentleman contacted me over the weekend from a different forum-Audio Asylum. He reported that in his system Rogue Audio M-180 mono blocks are mated w/ CS 2.7 loudspeakers. He uses a Rogue Audio pre-amp as well, Sony 5400ES and VPI TT. A hodge-podge of Cabling rounds out his rig. Mostly into Vinyl is his preference. I did extend a cordial invitation to join us here! Hope we gain a new contributor.
Thank You- oblgny, unsound, jond and nkonor, for your dealer/retailer shout-outs!
I have never paid a trip to Chicago. It, too, is on my must-visit list. Spring/Summer only :)
Good to learn that our major U.S. cities are continuing to represent the B&M Audio operations. I know about Decibel Audio (FWIW). I have read about Qunitessence and Essential Audio, never a poor word.
I have found a Krell dealer in SE Florida, much closer than the NE or Mid-West. Hope to make that trip as well in 2017.
I haven't been there in about 8 months or so, but they do indeed offer a lot of home theatre gear which, as you stated, is probably a hefty percentage of their business. Personally speaking I ain't no fan of home theatre nor surround sound.
Last time I was there they had a headphone "bar" upfront and some nice turntables as well. I suggested they start selling vinyl again, putting lp's in the window, etc. (I am a marketing genius, ain't I?). There's still enough 2 channel gear on display to make them worth my while.
Audio Breakthroughs in Manhassett is also a nice place to consider. I bought my Bluesound Vault2 there. It's a tad funkier than SE but they're cool peeps as well. It's not very far from Manhattan and there's ample parking in the rear. They even list used gear here sometimes. SE favors eBay for some reason although they used to list here as well.
However, to trade in and buy SE has been my choice for the past few years.
Funny: I traded in a pair of Dynaudio Contours to help fund a pair of Totem Hawks a while back. I bought the Dynaudios from a fellow member in Manhattan a little earlier on. A day or two passed and I received an email from David explaining that his tech had gone over the speakers after hearing a knock in the cabinets - something I never noticed myself. His tech removed around 5 plastic dinosaurs stuffed in the ports.
Now I know why many listings here contain the "from a smoke free, child free home" disclaimer.
re: Stereo Exchange in NYC, before the net and Audiogon, et al, my friends and I would get excited as we came towards Presidents day; as Stereo Exchange would have their annual sale, great prices on everything, but especially used gear, and they stood behind their sales. The last time I was there it seemed as though it was mostly home theatre stuff. When I inquired as to why this was, I was told without the home theatre stuff they probably couldn't exist.
Jafant if you’re willing to think a bit outside the box, as I see the same brands being recommended to you repeatedly how about Gryphon? There are some very knowledgeable folks out there who consider their gear amongst the very best SS amplification out there. No US distribution currently but there are some used models on Agon right now and Gryphon does provide service in the US just not sales according to their website.
Take your time, invest your time, it's your money and they're your ears. I've bought quite a few items from Stereo Exchange in NYC without a hitch, it being one of the VERY few stores you can still just walk right into without an appointment. Alan C., and owner David are just nice peeps to do business with. The gear I purchased, 2 pairs of Totem loudspeakers, 2 McIntosh amps etc. were all in stock. (That's just the new stuff I bought there, I've bought used as well.)
Of course, building your reference system around Thiel commands the patience you're demonstrating. I'd probably have bought and sold a good many things already.
Oh yeah, just for the record, I haven't bought anything this week.
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