Thiel Owners

vair68robert

I am looking into acquiring a Tubed cd pIayer . have to figure out the compatibility with my AYRE AX-5 integrated amp.

Happy Listening!

@ronkent  Thanks for the update on your system and the advice on how an improved DAC can reduce glare and related digital gremlins in reproducing music from CDs. I've been following the comments on the PS Audio forum about the beta testing of the new DSD MK2 DAC, but I didn't know you were one of the beta testers. I currently own the original DSD DAC, and I'm very likely to move up to the MK2 once it becomes generally available. Putting together your impressions about reduced glare from CDs, together with other beta testers raving about how wonderfully musical and engaging the new DAC is, I'm thinking that a DSD MK2 may be a perfect match for taming any tendencies my Thiel 2.2 speakers might have for exhibiting any glare or brightness.

I had been considering upgrading my ancient Sony CD player to a better player or transport that would use an external DAC, but I'm just not playing that many CDs any more. My preferred method for CD listening has now changed to ripping CDs to WAV files on my Innuos Zen server/streamer. I then send the digital signal from the Zen via USB to a PhoenixUSB re-clocker and then on to the DSD DAC. The PhoenixUSB improves the smoothness and naturalness of the reproduction, and I'm hoping that the addition of the new PS Audio DAC will take my system to an even higher level. 

@cascadesphil Thanks for the tips. The room is treated, walls and ceiling, as much as possible in the current domestic situation. If I wanted to really see how bad it was, I would haul in my Anthem preamp from the HT and run ARC, but there’s not much I can do about it other than obsess over the graphs.

@vair68robert I saw that awesome 1.6 deal come through - amazing they still haven’t sold. I’ve had tubed CD players and DACs over the years, nothing special. The Bryston BDA-3 is the best DAC I’ve ever had.

@thieliste I am currently using Bryston 4B3 but was using 7B2 monoblocks before and it was no better (actually worse). The low bass is very impactful and controlled, exactly how a Thiel should sound, but it’s the mid-bass that gives warmth which is sometimes completely missing.

@jafant Outriggers have been on since day 1 - in fact I’ve never heard the speakers on their regular feet. What happens when you remove them? You think bringing them down 1/2" would help them loosen up a bit?

@ronkent OK you’ve convinced me I need to try GAIA feet. I would need to order adapters that fit the Thiel threads though (it’s not one of the common thread sizes that are supplied). Also, if I wasn’t such a Bryston fanboy the BHK250 would probably be my next amp (and the matching preamp, etc) however I think they share a similar philosophy about lowering noise.

All - I can’t blame digital nasties. I have a big VPI turntable (with a top Benz Micro cart that cost more than my "stereophile Class A" DAC) and the characteristic of the speakers in my room isn’t changed when I play records.

Thanks for your input,

Stefan

jazzman7

Nice catch! I hope those speakers find the next good Home as well.

Happy Listening!