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!
richardp01, It is highly (!!!) unlikely that the domes collapsed from use, more likely from careless cleaning or incidental contact. Small dimples on the speaker driver domes are often inconsequential. The midrange surround tear can be tricky, as it is made of paper. It might be best to have it professionally repaired. I'd suggest Thiel https://www.thielaudio.com/parts-services-department/ or Miller Sound http://millersound.net/. I recommend both highly, and if it were up to me, I'd let price decide. As for the collapsed domes, I suggest you try to find or make cardboard tubes/cones with one opening of the same size or just slightly larger than the speaker driver dome under consideration. Gently place the appropriately sized tube/cone opening over the offending opening, and your mouth over the other end, then gently suck. Don't use a vacuum cleaner as it might be too powerful and detach the voice coil. Should you need to remove the speaker drivers, I suggest that before starting you have a small adjustable height table or step stool, a small cup, appropriate equipment for desoldering/ soldering including high quality silver solder (Thiel used to provide a small length of this, but I'm not sure if they still do) , an appropriately sized non-magnetic screwdriver, writeable tape, a marker, appropriately sized boxes and packing material for the speaker drivers. First cut two pieces of tape into 2" lengths for each driver to be removed. Then mark one piece of tape with a "+" and the other with a "-" for each pair of tape pieces. If you don't have a non-magnetic screwdriver, proceed with care. Place the height adjustable table/step stool top right next to the height of the driver to be removed; warning the speaker driver leads might be quite short. Put the screwdriver, tape pieces and small cup on said table/stool.The speaker driver magnets are quite powerful and can attract and drag a typical screwdriver with such force that can cause speaker driver cone tears. When using a typical screwdriver, place the non-screwing hand over the speaker driver cone without pressing down, then carefully place the typical screwdriver between thumb and index finger of the non- screwing hand before removing the first screw. Remove screws from speaker drivers/ speaker baffle, then place screws in the small cup. Desolder one lead from the back of the speaker driver, then place speaker driver on table/stool. On the back of the speaker driver there will probably be a marking denoting "+" or "-"; place the previously appropriately marked "+" or "-" piece of tape on the speaker lead that has just been removed. Repeat with the other speaker lead and put the other appropriately and obviously differently marked piece of tape on the other lead. Repeat as necessary. This will be quite helpful when it comes time to reinstall the speaker drivers. The 3.5's midrange drivers have a reputation for requiring "maintenance". Though they would appear to be of generic origin, Jim Thiel had these otherwise off the shelf drivers customized for his use in this particular line of speakers. The 3.5's haven't been made in decades. Should you replace any of them, you might want to keep any them around, no matter how damaged they appear for potential "rebuilds" should the need arise. Though perhaps a bit more risky, yet perhaps better value laden; another approach might be to buy another 3.5(s), using the parts you need and either keeping the remaining parts for future use or parting out the remaining parts for resale. FWIW, I might be interested in some of those parts for future considerations. Good luck, let us know how it turns out.
I have an old pair of CS-3.5's that I bought used about 4 years ago. I decided to check out the drivers the other day and took off the grilles. When I bought the speakers the drivers looked perfect. Now the center domes of both mid ranges and one of the woofers are dented in. There is also a small, linear tear in one of the midrange surrounds. I have never had the grilles off since I first bought them so it doesn't seem possible that the drivers suffered some physical trauma. Is it possible to have the center domes of drivers collapse just from using the speakers? By the way, the speakers still sound great in spite of the minor damage.
I am shopping for a replacement mid range for the one with the torn surround. I'd like to hear from someone who may be parting out some CS-3.5's.
Dave.... If Jim Thiel was still around today I'd trademark the term "Thiels Reveal" and give it to him for nuttin'. I coined that phrase after selling off a pair of Maggie MMG's - which at the time I was utterly pleased with - until I got the 3.5's, that is. I continue to like and even be impressed with Magnepan having within a year gone through their 1.7 and most recently their .7 and liking them but...they're just too imposing and far too finicky regarding placement.
Wow, I thought, the beautiful mids and highs of the Maggies but with more cowbell. (Bass.). The 3.5's delivered bass with that "bounce" that I look for. Not that colored emphasis one gets from smaller speakers or even similar/larger ones, just bass that sounds "instrumental" to me -to coin another phrase. (Or am I co-opting it?). I guess what I mean is texture, an acoustic bass has pluck and tension, an electric bass has presence. My 3.5's make me appreciate music, not just reproduction of it.
Wow. Quite a glowing appraisal.
So far as the Pioneer SX1080 goes with the Thiels, it is entirely possible for me to be happy with it and the 3.5's should, heaven forbid, anything untoward occur to my basket of remarkables in waiting.
Funny that you mentioned how good Zep sounded through your piece -I think the Pioneer recognizes the signal and just goes bananas for it.
I should mention that all my cables remain Transparent cables, although I had to "mod" a spare pair to fit those dinky little pressure connects on the 1080's back. Actually, I bought the spare pair to do so. My first-ever "mod" of any equipment!
Thanks folks, keep adding to this forum. Always an informative read.
Laughing... hang in there oblgny. You have to admit that this a fun hobby. You are a CJ fan like me- I want to demo their new integrated-CA150/ 150SE. My reference is the 350SS Premiere power amp.
So far as the Primare A34.2 amplifier goes, I've not found a reason yet to replace it right now. (Indeed I want to return to a Pass Labs but even used pricing has soared recently so...) The Primare is 150 watts into 8ohms and - according to a direct response via email from them - "almost double that" into 4ohms. I believe I paid $3k for it under a year ago which, given its modest power consumption and exemplary build quality is a very fair investment IMHO. Comparatively speaking it leans toward a warmer sonic presentation than my Pass X150.5 did, but that's pretty much true of anything compared to the Pass. (Including my CJ MF200 which I still have and use once in a while for kicks.). Pass, like Thiel, reveals - these speakers are an excellent litmus test for any amp/preamp.
I believe once you go above my model, Primare goes to A/B manufacture, and a helluva lot more power to boot. I also use a Primare A32 phono preamp in my system which has made my vinyl sonics immensely improved. Wow. I've mentioned that before and it's true.
On Friday I hooked up my "vintage" Pioneer SX1080 receiver (120 watts into 8 ohms, no info out there as to its 4ohm rating) to my CS3.5's and...damn if it didn't still sound great. Different? Yes, but impressive how good it sounded being 36 years old. And man does it still look good.
Basically, I'm willing to try any class of amp. I've had a First Watt M2 class A which led me to the Pass X150.5 class A/B, etc., etc., and so forth. I read here and rarely elsewhere about such things and then go about a real world listen. I bought my CS3.5's blind - based upon things I've read here and elsewhere - no audition, no friend had a pair... Curiousity and occasionally viable funds have allowed me to do this.
Besides, it's a helluva lot easier to swap out components than it is to move these damn things around. Sheesh!
I have not heard the newest Primare amp like the one oblgny uses? I have heard an older Primare and it did sound pretty good in an all Primare system w/ Vienna Acoustics loudspeakers. That was way back in 2006 for reference.
Thiel speakers are really very, very good and should have the best amplification ...I haven't heard Class D amps sound good enough for them...just sayin.
as we both know, careful gear selection and proper cabling, can yield a spooky/realistic system. IME, this is what our wonderful hobby is all about.
My 1st taste of the prowess of Thiel loudspeakers was in a very simple, cheap in price, 2-channel set-up. NAD 565BEE cd player, an older Creek integrated (4 or 5 series) and Audioquest cabling throughout. Luckily I had on -hand very familiar music to demo this set. I was hooked after 1 or 2 songs. Such richness in the music unlike I had never experienced. Even though the Creek was light weight on both power and current, I can only imagine if that company built an amp close to Pass Labs (higher power + higher current). I can easily live w/ this particular system. It was that synergistic.
I hate the fact that newer NAD and so many other Audio companies choose to source china in the manufacturing. I do not subscribe nor buy gear (knowingly) made in china.
Yes! these are very fine CDs and SACDs. I love collecting these "test" or "demo" discs. Stockfisch, FIM, DMP, Linn, Naim...etc., all have something special to offer the listener.
I want those (3) Accuphase SACD titles from Japan, so far, I have not found an USA seller.
Are you listening to the selections on your Ayre or Sony ES?
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.
You must have a verified phone number and physical address in order to post in the Audiogon Forums. Please return to Audiogon.com and complete this step. If you have any questions please contact Support.
