Bob Grossman did a solid review on the classic amp : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Po6EhGkExj0&t=637s
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!
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!
13,725 responses Add your response
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I think this baby http://dandagostino.com/products-master-power-classic-stereo.php is a good contender to build a refence system with Thiels. Price is pretty reasonnable for D'agostino gear. |
jafant, your quest has been on my mind for some time now. While I only heard samples of Dan Dagastino's amps briefly at a show, so I really don't have an opinion on it. On the other hand, knowing a bit about the designer's history and looking at the specs; If I were looking for cost no object reference quality amplification for Thiel CS 2.4 SEs, I would put seeking out an audition of his gear towards the top of my short list. http://dandagostino.com/ |
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CAVEAT: I have no relationship to the seller, and this is not an endorsement of this particular unit. For those looking for a very high value, fairly inexpensive amp that would work very nicely with those older Thiel's that have a minimum impedance doesn't drop below 4 Ohms, you might want to consider this: https://www.audiogon.com/listings/solid-state-conrad-johnson-mf-2300a-240-watt-mosfet-amplifier-2016... Obviously this amp would mate well with c-j's own ss or tube pres, that many Thiel owners of that vintage found to work well with. |
With regard to balanced operation; with adapters or conversions, one could still appreciate that the cables themselves would still have the advantages of superior noise rejection. True balanced would be better still, maintaining the advantages of full balanced through put throughout the circuitry, and voiding whatever pitfalls might be introduced through superfluous conversions. As for my recommendation for Oblgny to have two separate stereo 3.5 eq's converted to mono balanced operation, I assumed (always dangerous!) that described as such, that I was not attempting to suggest, as dlcockrum has wisely pointed out, that the eqs might merely be superficially converted to balanced operation. One would not need a second eq to do that. But, rather converting the previous stereo eq units to 2 mono units would permit true balanced operation. Oblgny would be wise to be quite specific when having this work done. Also, should Oblgny ever decide to go with mono amps in the future, the now mono balanced operation of the two eq's would help towards the greater stereo separation that mono amplifiers provide. |
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dave... Prior, with a different preamp, I had purchased a pair of XLR/RCA connects to effect using the balanced inputs on the Pass to little or no effect - feh! Currently I am using a Furman power conditioner, a "cheap seats" entry level model that noticeably improved things overall. Since I'm settled with the Pass and BAT combo, along with Transparent cabling, I'm watching the site for a better power conditioner. Any thoughts/suggestions here are certainly welcome in the $2k and under range. The issue at hand remains a constant, that the Thiels sound excellent with just about anything. My nephew has my first pair of 3.5's which - *gasp!* - he listens to through some Denon p.o.s. home theatre integrated, and damn! They still sound great. (Damn Millenials!) His girlfriend is more willing to go 2 channel because of them, so there's hope. Cheerio! |
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Deep thought... I realized last night that what I've been doing to better enjoy these speakers has been subtracting elements associated with them to let them perform their best. It's been said that photography is removing elements, painting is adding them. Coming to appreciate the Pass for its articulate sonics after first appreciating the Thiels for the same, the rest has been incremental, looking for those small improvements the pair will reveal together. Adding better power, speaker, and interconnect cables, along with a power conditioner was subtraction, removing as much noise from the chain as my budget will currently permit. Unsound's suggestion that I seek an additional bass eq for my 3.5's and have them modded into monos with balanced connects is another avenue heading in the same direction - a better, cleaner signal for them, and a very worthy investment in a product I find extraordinarily difficult to best. The "less" a Thiel has to have tossed its way the better it will perform. Clean up the power delivered, invest in better cables, and you'll see the ghost of Jim Thiel smiling back at you. |
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If anything with using balanced connects I find the Thiels to be responsive to anything in the chain. (With the exception of my Pass/BAT I have cheap-seats Transparent cables throughout.) The Thiel bass eq has unbalanced connects so...had to settle. Funny story...I just purchased a pair of Dynaudio Focus 220 speakers for my girlfriend's new house. I had Dynaudio monitors before - in the same series. I hooked them up when I got them home for a test, and being able to use balanced connects with my amp/pre I was curious. Duh. I forgot to take the Thiel bass eq out of the chain and those Dynaudios sounded like crap! Then I remembered to remove it and use my balanced connects. BIG difference. They ain't no Thiels but the improvement was palpable. As unsound previuosly suggested I am still looking for a second eq to have modded into balanced connects, one for each of my 3.5's, but that's a down the road endeavor. Anyway, if this little 'speriment offered me anything it was, once again, bringing out the best in a colorless amp with balanced connects to a tubed pre. If it made those Dynaudios deliver better sonics I almost shudder as to what might be enjoyed with my Thiels. I would be very hard pressed to go back to unbalanced connects for any reason. My Pass and BAT VK3i loved the temporary hookup. There IS a difference between the cabling that is almost immediately apparent. Balanced wins. Wow. I haven't looked at "new today" classifieds in a couple of days. Have I finally found it???? |
I'm looking at tube preamps to match with my Krell fpb250 monos & Thiel CS6's; live_lemming how do you like your VK3ix pre? I have heard very nice things about that particular model. There is one on 'gon for 1700. I'm looking at well into the 2,000's for ARC or CJ's. I might point out to the Pass guys that I have had great luck with Krell running 2.4's and am pleased with the 250's on the big 6's.. |
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Good to see you again- last_lemming, I will concur w/ you on the Parasound. These amps are very much relevant in Audio circles under the helm of John Curl. I particularly, enjoy his older "HCA" series. Very powerful, robust SS designs. The newest integrated in on my must demo list for all of the praise it receives in the press. It is good to learn that B.A.T. is a sonic match w/ both PL and Parasound! Most important of all- which brand(s) of cabling are you using? |
Jafant, im glad to see another member running BAT pre with SS amp on the Thiels. I run a BAT VK3ix pre with a Parasound A21. I know that the Parasound isn't a fancy hi end name, but man this thing drives the speakers with ease without any obvious tonal issues. I went through a few amps to arrive at the Parasound and it will be the next piece I may upgrade. All I know is that combined with my VPI Prime is does make some amazing sound. |