hi Everyone, have not posted in a while though i think i did post about this a ways back. Below is new correspondence with Tom Thiel and his response.
Hi Tom, I wanted to update you FIVE YEARS LATER as I think this is very useful info for Thiel fans. I have really enjoyed the 3.7’s I got from Rob Gillum back in 2018 but there was always a bit of persistent glare, most notably on female vocals. I started looking for new speakers a few months ago and listened to the Magico A5’s, and the lower priced Wilsons (Sashas and Sabrinas).
But then I got the new DSD DAC II from PS Audio (it is second generation and replaced my older one) and my reaction after playing it a bit was “holy cow, I got new speakers”. And a friend who has the same system as I do had about the same reaction. The 3.7’s were not really the main issue, it was the digital glare caused by jitter. The new DSD DAC II reduces jitter enormously and the sound is much more enjoyable. I think the 3.7’s were just reproducing what they were fed. Suffice to say, both my friend and I have put our speaker search on the back burner.
In fact two audio buddies came over this week and they have heard a lot of very new high $$$ gear very recently, and they were both “blown away” by the sound of a system with speakers designed in 2008. Gosh Jim sure was ahead of his time.
Here is Tom's response: Hi Kent,
Yes, good information for Thiel fans. Perhaps you might post it on the Thiel Owners Audiogon Forum.
Speakers always get blamed for whatever is being heard. Thiel has a particularly harder time because its phase/time correct format increases aural scrutiny around what's wrong with the signal. The ear-brain expects perfection when it believes the signal is real rather than adulterated. I'm so glad you ironed out this wrinkle.
At some time in the future there will be upgrades for your 3.7s, but only after we have created some entity that can support sales, installation and service of these Thiel Renaissance upgrades. The CS3.7 is very mature with little low-hanging upgrade fruit. Potential improvements include input terminals, hookup wire, baffle turbulence control, thermal management in the XO and drivers and possibly a new grille ( eliminate both steel and fabric ).
Thank you for this report. Tom
