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!
Yes only the CS 3.7 will stay, this system is short term because i didn't want the speakers to stay longer in their boxes. As you might know it's not good to not drive your speakers for a very long period of time as some components and filters could dry. That's what made me decide to put up this little short term system in my office to at least drive the Thiels from time to time. So your going for an all in one big CD Player like the Esoteric K03-X ? My future reference system will be as follow : 2 mono blocks, a preamp, a DAC with seperate server from TotalDac and a turntable probably from Bergmann.
jafant like i told you i have a very modest system to drive my CS 3.7 : Classé CAP-151 connected to a Hegel HD12 DAC with balanced Cardas Golden Cross interconnects. For the speakers i'm using my very old Siltech LS 4-120 speaker cables. HMS energia powercords. Streaming high res files from my PC with JRiver and Audioquest USB cable. All of the gear was bought used except the USB cable.
Are you going to have a DAC in your system ? if so which ones are you considering ?
One of the artists who's recordings marked the beginning of my appreciation for jazz, and the true art of the music itself. Having been a typical rock fan for most of my teens, it was through a wacky high school English teacher's stereo that I first heard Monk, Charlie Parker, Brubeck etc., learning anew that jazz is literature, poetry, an unbridled form of expression which found a home in my music mind and has since never strayed.
This is experience also began marked the beginning of my interest in hi-fi. I'm talking my English teacher's tube equipment and the pair of Dahlquist DQ-10's we listened through.
My my condolences to Mr. Brubeck's closest friends and family, my sincere appreciation for the body of work remaining for us to enjoy ad infinitum. A class act and a fine musician.
Thanks jafant, well yes we have quiet a number of good high end dealers here in France. I fell in love with Thiel speakers in 1997 thanks do a local dealer who sold me my first pair : CS 1.5, i still have them. Did you ever consider the Dartzeel CTH-8550 ? even though you prefer going the seperates route.
I really liked the Calypso Signature pre-amp. I am leaning heavily to Pass Labs. The hardest part is wether or not to go w/ a tubed pre-amp (Conrad Johnson, Audio Research or Aesthetix).
What do you have on your latest short list in terms of amp-preamp combo for your future reference system ? I'm also investigating on my side and was able to listen to the Aesthetix combo last week in Lyon, i think that is a serious option for Thiels. Hybrid solution might be the way to go at least to my taste. I will investigate on Ypsilon gear also, the Aelius II monos have very good reviews. Here is some reading if you want to learn about this company : http://www.theaudiobeat.com/visits/ypsilon_interview.htm
Patience, makes it all possible. I was fortunate enough to spend 3 months w/ the original CS 2.4 on a related work assignment. Additionally, I spent another 3 months listening to the CS 2.4 SE #50/51 under the same circumstances. Several days per week for the entire 3 months I listened to those models. That is how I came about my decision to purchase.
The hardest part of the reference equation is solved. Now, I can focus on the gear that will drive them. I am in no rush as I accomplish perfection.
jafant man i saw your pics of your beautiful CS 2.4SE not connected to any system... How can you look at them everyday and not beeing able to listen to music ? I know you are in the same boat as i am wanting to build a reference system with them, but meanwhile why don't you do like i did buy a modest used Integrated and a DAC to stream high res files via USB ? For a very small budget you could at least listen to your CS 2.4SE. I bought my CS 3.7 2 years ago and couldn't wait any longer staring at them and not beeing able to listen to them.
Thank You -jond for the positive feedback. I listen to music in my GMC truck w/ top Bose / XM radio system. At home, I listen to certain internet radio via B&W MM-1 computer speakers. I keep both tuned up w/ various tweaking/system tuning CDs for optimal playback. When I travel for business, I take a few well known discs w/ me as I visit dealers/retailers abroad.
frozentundra (Jeff), oblgny (William), dlcockrum (Dave), and other esteemed gentlemen of this thread. I have posted a few pics in the Virtual Systems section here on the 'Gon. Check out "Alabama Getaway". Happy Listening!
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,
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