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!
I am ready for your to get back into Pass Labs. Once I make up my mind on the whole, solid-state vs tubed gear debate, I can easily provide a home for Pass Labs.
I must say, the last (2) years have been very strong for Pass Labs and Thiel speaker combo. I am excited for the synergy. Keep me posted.
it is my only objective to have all o f you guys exchanging/interpreting all things Audiophile. If we all liked and owned the exact same gear, then, complacent attitudes prevails. I never settle for complacent in anything!
As for my reference system, it all builds around my Thiel speakers. Once completed, in full, I will post pics in Virtual Systems for everyone to evaluate.
I love guys who "mod" gear. I can remember back in the 2000's, there were many, many guys that modded cd/sacd players. Sadly, only a very few are left in this field. Modding cable/cords is sweet indeed. Do not forget the shout-out(s) of said modders. These guys have a gift, craftsmen, as well.
There is much discussion this year about aftermarket fuses really taking off and coming into their own (regarding our wonderful hobby). SR gets many accolades. Keep me posted on this aspect of your system.
like any other person here in this thread, I value all insights and expressed opinions. You have owned some very fine cables my friend.
I,too, was impressed w/ Straight Wire- I auditioned it along w/ Rogue Audio gear, Rega spinner and Sonus Faber loudspeakers. Very fine sound and synergy. This occurred 4 years ago, the SW cabling was lower tier (the salon owner does not believe in higher priced cables/cords) red jackets, in color. I wish I knew the models?
Transparent TOTL cabling is the mighty OPUS. Now, I have had the pure listening pleasure of these IC & SP , power cords in a ARC, Bryston, Wison Audio Speakers system- it did not disappoint. Additionally, I heard the Transparent Reference XL in an all Ayre /Wilson Audio system- it did not disappoint either. Many of the M.I.T. experts here on the 'Gon will tell us that these cables/cords are very close to Transparent in nature.
I read alot and there is quite the movement coming out of EU- Skogrand, Sablon' Tellurium and Jorma- just to mention a few of my must-demo list.
I look forward to your next acquisition in gear. If you back to Pass Labs, will you own both PL pre-amp & power amp? Or, will you mate it up w/ your B.A.T. pre-amp?
Given its age I had relatively low expectations for this piece and my pre-assumptions about its sonics were fairly spot-on. (I have a Pioneer SX 1080/Marantz 2252b/Conrad Johnson MF200 in controlled storage as well.)
As per the seller's ad here, its condition was better than I could expect- no serious dings, scratches or discolorations anywhere. The metering glass is a little dull but that wasn't/isn't any major concern.
I left it playing for about 24 hours at low level since the seller stated it had been serviced in 2014 and stored since; I had no reason to doubt that claim as the above described physical condition was, again, given its age, very good.
I left all of my cabling intact, which is 100% Transparent. I saw no reason to alter anything in order to see how the GAS would perform.
The first piece of music I listened to was Ginger Baker "Cyril Davis" off of "Why", which is my litmus test for anything I add to my system and, perhaps unfairly, based upon the best amp I've had, IMHO, a Pass Labs X150.5. (Don't start me on why I sold THAT - I'm an idiot.) As stated in a previous post I am currently using a Primare A34.2 amplifier.
Anyway, the GAS is indeed a "vintage" piece, sounding very much like my Marantz 2252b. The midrange strikes me as being...crowded? Muddled? There are bass lines in the tune I listened to that the GAS simply couldn't reproduce as faithfully as the Primare does - there was a discernible lack of texture to the instruments as well. *Sigh*
The power meters barely moved at all, which is an indication of how conservative my preferred listening level is rather than an indication of a malfunction. I noticed this with all my previous amps that had meters as well. Even when I "cranked up" the level the meters indicated less than 20 watts. (The X150.5 meter displayed current, not watts, but I've had a couple of McIntosh pieces that back this up.) Sheesh - do I really need gobs of power to drive my CS3.5's?
All in all, it was a fun 'speriment, one that satisfied my curiosity about the brand at a very low acquisition cost. I have a "thing" for "vintage" equipment, borne of my introduction to hifi way back in the 1970's which had been Sansui/Marantz/Pioneer - first receivers, then separates. In that categorical perspective the GAS showed well enough, but in comparison to the newer equipment I've owned, and own currently, it just couldn't. Mind you, this is no knock against GAS - I love its look, it performs as it did, and it was fun listening to it, comparison or not.
Subsequently I may be selling it here, along with my other amps to fund a re-acquisition of a First Watt or Pass Labs. The prices on Pass have quite literally rocketed upwards since I sold my X150.5 a little while back, which I obtained for $2495, currently fetching roughly $1K more. (And this is used!) Yikes!
My CS3.5's are remaining in place. I believe I saw a pair of 5's somewhere for $2995 which would be the only speakers I could part with the 3.5's for...woe is me!
Regarding Houston or Katy, whomever comes across w/ an excellent Audio shop will be greatly rewarded. Your area is in need for certain. Even if it was located in north Houston or the Woodlands, would be helpful.
it is a shame about Houston, it is our 4th largest U.S. city and it does not have an Audio operation? What was the Audio shop that used to be located downtown- going I-10 west almost to the Katy city limit?
I can remember viewing it while traveling along the interstate? It started w/ Sound...Concepts? World? I know it was a staple for a long time.
The same can be said for Atlanta- our 6th largest U.S. city. Only a few years ago there were many Audio operations, now, sadly,only 2/3 ?
B&M shops are becoming scarce for certain. Lucky for you, there are a few sweet operations in Dallas. Galen Carol is in San Antonio. There is another shop south of Tyler. Just to mention a few of the ones that I have visited over the years.
Mine will be a simple, yet elegant, 2-channel rig. Happy Listening!
perusing this thread you will have learned that I am in the process of building my reference system :)
Over the past 4 years, I have been fortunate to demo and audition much gear, especially, cabling. There are still a few brands of gear on my short-list to demo. Cabling as well. So it is particularly helpful to me, from you guys that actually have a local dealer/retailer (like oblgny: example), to report the things -good, bad, indifferent- you all are hearing in the show rooms.
I am not one to rotate gear like most audiophiles. Considering the monies involved, I will keep my reference system for many, many years. I do not play on that merry-go-round. SR has been on my radar for some time now. My closest Audio market would be Atlanta, Nashville, New Orleans or northern Florida. My travels and expert demo time has been in Texas, North Carolina, and Maryland.
We all have different locales across our wonderful nation. This is so helpful in deducing which brands to audition and those that can be avoided. Saves money, time as well. I enjoy all dealers/retailers small, medium and large. On hand and avail for demo really peaks my interest.
keep all discussions here as the intel will benefit the other readers. Chances are, they may want to change out cabling as well. We have an investment going on and wish to extract all of the 1 & 0's out of our music.
Do not forget the dealers/retailers shout-out, especially, the ones w/ plush showrooms/listening spaces to audition gear and cabling!
Folks... Regarding "sidetracking" Jafant's intended subject matter - no problemo! All the new posts pertaining to the possible improvements to be had are always welcome and championed.
I've learned a lot reading the opinions and suggestions here, Keep 'em coming.
Wow - some very informative posts here regarding cables and the CS5's power handling specs. Thanks to all.
The Son of Ampzilla arrived via UPS too late last night so I couldn't hook it up. According to the seller and fellow member here it was serviced in 2014 and stored since. Typically, it arrived in as-described condition with ample packaging. Gawd, I do like the people on this site.
Anyway, my workload today is appreciably lighter than usual except for an appointment with my accountant to file my 2015 returns. No, I am not going to reveal them unless it's sufficient enough to fund a pair of CS5's!
The GAS will be hooked up tonight. My cabling is all Transparent throughout, my Preamp remains the BAT VK3i. (pictures in the Virtual Systems section here if anyone cares to peruse)
The reason for buying the GAS? Boredom. I find the Primare A34.2 to be well suited with my CS3.5's, but the GAS was under $400 shipped so...time for 'sperimentin'!
dlcockrum.....I don't mean to propagate sidetracking the Thiel thread either, but I could use your experience with Synergistic cables since I do believe they are good match for Thiel speakers. If I need to move this to private messaging, please let me know. I have settled into mostly SR cables and I'm curious if you have any insight on any recommended changes, because I'm so happy with the sound, I'm afraid to make any changes.
Between my Thiel CS 3.6 and my Audio Research Reference 150 amp, I have SR Tesla Accelerators. Between the AR Reference 150 and the AR Reference 5 preamp (and from the preamp to my Modwright tube modified Oppo BDP105), I have SR Tesla Accelerator XLR interconnects. I have SR AC Master Coupler X-series power cords on the Oppo BDP105 and its Modwright PS 9.0 power supply. Both amp and preamp are powered with SR Tesla T3s (UHC T3 on the amp). Everything is plugged into PS Audio P5 Powerplant which is powered with PS Audio AC12 power cord.
I have been thinking of upgrading to a preowned set of SR Apex speaker cables for the Thiels, but I'm having second thoughts based on your post. Any thoughts would be welcomed.
Very impressive system! It's good to see someone who has gone through various changes and get their input. I struggle with what direction to go and it's always good to see another's experience and final conclusion. (Never really finished is it?) I see there is a pair of the DR-9 amps for sale on another site for 2K, so this seems like an amp worth investigating...
nice to have you here. YES! any Thiel model can be discussed from the past, present or future. We all have a likeable vintage as can be read in this forum.
Several gentlemen here enjoy the late 80's to early 90's designs. Happy Listening!
please, keep me posted as you massage the new SOA into your system. I am very curious to learn how it affects your sound. Additionally, it is good to compare amps- Primare vs SOA.
Woohoo - I just purchased from a fellow member here a GAS Son Of Ampzilla which will be swapped in and out with my Primare A34.2 just for kicks. GAS is one of those manufacturers I've been curious about for a long time, along with Moscode, Plinius, Crown, Belles, and Coda.
The GAS is rated at 160 watts into 4 ohms which is ample enough for my 3.5's - especially since my listening level is conservative.
The pre remains a BAT VK3i which I think is excellent as well.
@robinbarbour Understood. What I was getting at was the form factor of the CS6. Obviously it would need a sealed chamber at the bottom to isolate the 12" sub from the 10".
I was also thinking about the crossover considerations that Thiel already took into account when developing the specific PX02 that could marry an SS3 to a CS6 (if it even exists). Maybe start from there, and figure out if freqs are augmented rather than crossed over, and the impact that has on the main driver and its radiator.
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