jafant...
I've been running the Primare through a Classe pre and an Audio Research pre for about a week now. (I'm also coming into a BAT VK3i preamplifier pretty soon...) I'm leaning more toward the ARC preamplifier as that appears to be my "Thiel" amongst preamps - they've made every amp I've owned sound good. I purchased the BAT simply because I want to "tube" the front end.
I also picked up an excellent used pair of Von Schweikert VR5 HSE's only because the price was simply too good to pass up. Suffice it to state that the Thiel CS3.5's need not worry, although I enjoyed the VS in and of themselves. It's difficult to miss the mids and highs that the Thiels provide, and the VS's sounded veiled by comparison. I just sold the VS's.
Anyway, I'm liking the Primare. Even though Primare was somewhat vague as to the amp's 4ohm power rating, I find that it matches well with the Thiels. For approximately $2400 the Primare is a keeper. It doesn't emphasize the bass that my 3.5's do so well to any degree, which is a good thing, and those trademark mids and highs have not suffered, either. (That and my CJMF200...) There's a current ad on the Gon for a pair of CS5's that I would literally jump at - $1350! - if it weren't for the seller whom I had a previous poor experience with - his geographic location differs from the actual location he ships from, and I found that to be utter bs.
I am really looking forward to hearing how the BAT VK3i will complement my system. While the class d Primare doesn't over emphasize the highs, I think I'm finding the all solid state setup just a smidgen on the "bright" side. With the Classe preamp I found the upper end to be somewhat etchy, which seems to have settled down with the amp running for a few hours. The ARC didn't sound like that at all.
Anyway, I would recommend the Primare for anyone seeking a very decent amp at a very reasonable, IMHO, price.
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jafant...
i dunno about the Primare preamplifier...just a "me" thing about having an all one-brand setup,..ya know? But based upon their R32 phono preamp and this amp I'd have no problem perhaps, maybe, doing so down the road. I could sell my Peachtree 220SE integrated to fund that... |
Jafant...
I am slowly moving toward all Transparent Audio cables in my system. Unsound...there's a pair of 1000 watt DSonic mono blocks up for sale here - $775 - that oughta be enough for those CS 5's doncha think??? |
Going to Audio Den now...just around the corner from me house.
Speaker cables are The Wave, I believe they're the least expensive from Transparent but I like them. They're 10 footers although 8 would have sufficed, bananas on both ends. I have to check on the status of my BAT 3ki pre amp there anyway since my guy there is fixing a busted toggle switch on it. Probably going to buy a complete set of new tubes as well since I don't know the age of the ones currently installed.
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Damn...the store only had one pair of Transparent Link interconnects in stock. I ordered three more pairs, and I may have to purchase a few pair of balanced cables since the BAT has those as well.
Since Transparent offers a trade up program on their cables I'm starting with their least expensive models. I'm finding that the Wave speaker cables seem to be the best match with my Thiel CS3.5's. Where other cables such as Anti-Cables, Goertz delivered some pretty acceptable sonics, the Transparents seem to bring out the widest range without suffering from accentuating any particular frequency range.
Dare I say that I find the Thiels to be the most neutral sounding speaker I've owned, and as I've stated before, "Thiels reveal" - anything in the chain that colors the sonics is soon enough found out. Not that coloring sonics is a bad thing, all equipment does that no matter the manufacturer. I know that a few members here and elsewhere find Thiels to be on the bright side, and they can be for some, but I've tossed a good many amp/pre-amp combos into my system the last year and a half and the one constant is the Thiels. They just make almost anything sound good. Some sound different, but all sounded good.
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jafant...
I've driven my Thiels (2.2, 3.1, and currently 3.5's) with both tube and solid state amplifiers and have found that they are excellent with either. The one complaint I have with these "vintage" (minty!, in eBay parlance) designs is the speaker cabling, specifically where Thiel located the binding posts themselves. On the bottom!
This rules out using the "garden hose" variety of speaker cables since keeping them off of the floor proved to be problematic. I've used Goertz Alpha Core, Transparent Music Waves, and now I have AntiCables level 3 - which I've long been a fan of. That aside, very few loudspeakers have impressed me as much as Thiels do. My 3.5's are full range, 20hz - 20khz, and I've never used a subwoofer. They still continue to deliver outstanding sonics.
I think my favorite match up with mine was a Pass Labs X150.5, 150 watts into 8, 300 watts into 4 ohms which the Thiels are. My listening level is very conservative, and I've had fun listening with a McIntosh MC275 Mark VI tube amplifier, 75 watts per channel into virtually any load. Also a Rogue Audio Cronus Magnum integrated, 100 watts per channel. In retrospect I think I have to give the nod to the Pass Labs. Having all that extra headroom made me believe I was treating them right even if my listening level wouldn't stress a modest amp.
I've just purchased a Peachtree Audio 220SE integrated which will out put 350 watts into 4 ohms for the heck of it. (Pretty good deal direct from them.) I'm also looking at an Audio Research 300.2 amplifier - which is class T, capable of 500 watts per channel into 4 ohms.
One thing I will never do is part with my 3.5's again. The first pair I owned I gave to my nephew when I purchased a pair of Counterpoint Clearfield Metropolitans, an Alfred Von Schwiekert design. They were physically HUGE speakers. A few months ago I found another pair of the 3.5's right here not he gone and bought them without contacting the seller first. Regardless of price Thiels are some of the best loudspeakers out there. I love 'em. Good luck with yours! |
Unsound...
Thanks for the information, I was not aware of that. The only thing that would make me move these into storage would be moving up the food chain. I've been watching a pair of CS5's....but they're too large for my current domicile. *sigh* |
jafant...
I played the CJ MF200 for a few hours yesterday and I can say that it's a pretty impressive amp for its age. CJ doesn't offer a power rating into a 4 ohm load like my Thiels, but with 200 watts into 8 ohms I will assume I won't be stressing either.
Anyway, I'm currently using an ARC LS 3 solid state preamp, and it may be only my aural imagination but I am not getting any of that "warm" CJ sound - which is a positive. (Not that the warmth of CJ equipment ever bothered me.) I thinks its more their preamplifiers that impart that trait in many user's opinions. (I've had other CJ amps and preamps as well.)
I also have a Classe preamp...model number eludes me right now, and THAT imparted warmth. I'll be hooking that up and comparing sometime this weekend.
Overall the CJ and the ARC preamp are a good match. I heard excellent low end response from my Thiels at a very moderate listening level. I sit approximately 10 feet away from my speakers so that's a good thing. I use Ginger Baker's "Cyril Davies" cut off of his most recent release "Why?" as a canary-in-a-goldmine reference since it has dynamics all over the place. I then use some New Orleans jazz - if an amp can render this and that well its a keeper!
PS: I got the amp for under $700...
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jafant...
I'm also thinking of raising my Thiels a few inches higher than their bases situate them currently. I read much about Maggie 1.7's here and used similar information to good effect when I had those. (I love Magnepan, too.)
MHO: Thiels are Maggies with more bass...
I don't know if that will improve anything sonically, but it will certainly help in connecting different cables to them. I doubt it will suffer anything, either.
My local store just became a Transparent dealer which saves me a 50 mile trip - maybe even money! I do suggest using spades on the speaker connections since their location and that little tunnel to run them through can be a nuisance with banana connectors. |
Just for the heck of it today I stopped in at my local bricks and mortar shop right here down in good old Lake Grove, NY. I'm about to invest in SOMETHING new.
Anyway, after talking with my sales guy for a while regarding new amps I spotted a used Conrad Johnson MF200 solid state amp with a really good price tag attached to it. I came home and hooked it up and...pretty darn good!
The only amp that my Thiels did not like was a NAD 375bee integrated. |
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Had a great "Thiel weekend" with my current setup...
Primare amp, Classe pre, Sony HapZ1es server, Thiel CS 3.5 with Transparent Wave cables. (Transparent Link connects on everything in between) I'm still awaiting the return of my BAT VK3i preamp...
I'm seriously considering a pair of 3.6 currently listed that I can get for around $1200...comments? I will keep my 3.5's regardless.
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Jafant...
Actually it's just having its toggle switch replaced. My dealer had to request one from BAT. The wait is killing me but... |
I'm something of a fan for Anticables, but I'm now using Goertz Veracity cables with bananas all around. Anticables have a habit of becoming loose when I occasionally have to move the speakers. They're very stiff.
(I just bought a Primare i22 integrated, class d amplification, 120 watts into 4 ohms...)
I actually prefer the Goertz cables a little over the Anti's, I believe they offer a somewhat fuller resolution overall, with the Anti's perhaps being a little brighter.
But then again, I like "bright" sonics in my speakers. I haven't cared much about a few hertz here or there in the lower registers since I dismantled my 10+ year old Klipsch CF-3 speakers a few years back. My 3.5's are 20hz-20khz - the whole megillah.
Long live Thiel!
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Psssst...
I haven't chimed in for a while but I have continued to follow this thread as a matter of habit. It's a good one.
Jafant...
If you haven't yet decided on your amplification I will once again offer how fine a match my Pass Labs X150.5 is with my CS3.5's, I've settled into this setup for a while and every time I listen to music I am reminded how long it took it me to get "here". There is a lot of HERE, here, too. (Your 2.4's are different than my 3.5's, but I would keep Pass in the consideration column.)
Man, this just works.
Thiels make everything sound better than expected, but when you find the sweetspot as I have with Pass and BAT, it's difficult to want to better anything. I'll be following your lead with cable experimenting once I know what my tax return will be. (Currently still with 100% Transparent.)
Okay, maybe a different preamp just for the hell of it.
But NO replacement for the Pass, and NO replacement for the 3.5's. Heck, I'm contacting Pass right now to see if its possible to upgrade the amp to .8. |
Jafant...
As I've said before I start out low and move up the food chain as finances allow. I'm still with the base Music Link Transparents which are fine as is. Frankly I don't believe that moving up will yield me any discernible improvements, at least in terms of $$ vs reward. Not saying I won't but there's a limit to my madness.
Jeepers, have I finally stopped spending?
Unmm, no! |
Laughing, Jafant...
Audio Den is just around the corner from me - literally, a leisurely 15 minute walk from my house when the sun is shining. They became a Transparent retailer last fall. I'll be moving up the line at an equally leisurely pace this year since everything else is in synch.
I truly haven't reason that makes sense to change a thing at the moment. I spent this weekend listening to Bill Frisell and some other excellent old school jazz and - wow. We got dumped 18" of snow so the opportunity presented itself after much shoveling and rock salt.
Funny thing is that I just leased a new vehicle on Friday and I have to admit that one of my requirements was that it could accomodate that elusive pair of CS3.6 that I keep looking for. Or another Thiel model. I'm obviously not done buying stuff, but until another up-the-line model of Thiel comes along - stars and finances in perfect alignment - my 3.5's remain my reference point. |
By the way, in case anyone was interested in learning if one can upgrade a Pass X150.5 to a 150.8, as I inquired with Pass directly, the answer is no.
According to Pass they are completely different.
I almost cried.
But what the hell...that's the only thing that would make me give up my 150.5. |
Jafant...
I am actually going to stop into the Den tomorrow to see if they've upped their vinyl selection. I'll inquire as to how deep they go into Transparent.
Hope they don't have anything that I just gotta have... |
I just noticed that Thiel has a Facebook or Tweet account. Perhaps you can get in touch with them there,
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Here's some food for thought...
For the past twelve months or so I've been buying/selling equipment like I'm going to the chair. 2 McIntosh pieces, Von Schweikert speakers. etc. etc. etc. Ridiculous!
Somewhere in the middle of last year I purchased a Marantz TT-15 turntable. According to my sales guy Bob at Audio Den in beautiful downtown Lake Grove, it's essentially a Clearaudio unit badged with the Marantz logo. (There's really no downtown here, nor is there a lake, nor a grove.) Having never had a "true" phono preamp other than those little pro-ject or other manufacturer small boxes, I was able to scoop up a Primare phono stage for a very nice price used here on the 'Gon. IMHO, an excellent phono stage. I like the brand.
Anyway, I went back there the other day just to see what's new and I was convinced to buy a Primare i22 integrated...It's a class d amp which can put out around 160 watts into 4 ohms - sufficient enough for my listening levels. Primare builds everything from the ground up, nothing inside it is outsourced like so many other class d amps.
Unfortunately, there was no way to hook up the CS 3.5's crossover to the integrated...so back it went. I can't believe I returned something because I might have to part with my Thiels... |
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Unsound....
Not petty at all regarding my misnaming the Thiel eq. Part of my pair's provenance, as related to me by the fellow member whom I bought them from, is the possibility that Jim himself handled the eq when it was sent back for a very minor service. The route you suggested just doesn't work - we went over everything and decided I'd give it back for a full refund and I'd get the amp instead.
So so far as "old iron" goes...does a Conrad Johnson MF200 qualify? I had this going as well through my ARC LS 3 ss preamplifier - noice, indeed!
Even though Jim eschewed the class d category I'm still forging ahead with the Primare amp, which will undoubtedly have me looking for a nice tube preamplifier - a set up I'd used before with the 3.5's. That was a Pass Labs X150.5 with an ARC LS 2 pre - perhaps the best I had. C'est la vie ... But the Thiels remain. |
unsound...
Funny, I'm not getting that CJ "warmth" from the 200 as much as I did when I had the MF2100 a few years back, but then I was also using a CJ preamplifier - I forget the model number - that, I think, imparted that perception of warmth. I've been hooked on Audio Research for my preamplifiers ever since. For me they seem to mate well with just about anything I've hooked up to it, the only exception being a Musical Fidelity amp which was so colored it makes a CJ look like its black and white.
As the contributors to this post know, "Thiels reveal" - everything in the chain associated with driving them. I'm SO bloody sorry that I sold my Pass Labs X150.5 I can't begin to tell you. Unfortunately the price has pretty much skyrocketed new/used or refurbed - double what I paid Mark at Reno Hifi for mine currently!
As my previous post documented I returned the Primare because I could not use it with my Thiel's eq. I NEVER return anything. I was offered a pair of Paradigm Prestige 95F's from my dealer at a silly price, and though very tempted I refused.
The only way I will part with these is when someone can pry them from my cold, dead hands!
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unsound...
Yeah, I have seen a pretty good amount of Threshold pieces about the inter-web thingamabob but my skepticism about their provenance has kept me from actually dipping my toes in the proverbial waters. Price wise they're certainly in my wheel house.
My guys around the corner just told me that they have a BAT VK3 preamplifier coming in soon - not certain of the exact model number - that they'll let me have for about $1k. I've never had but always wanted to check out their stuff and maybe this is the perfect opportunity to tube front a class d amp!
What this all comes down to is that I am building a new system around my LOUDSPEAKERS - which some people here may think is backasswards...but what the heck. I moved my Maggie 1.7's out and haven't looked back, but when I have my original CS 3.5's to my nephew I haven't been able to look forward. Thiels are THAT good. |
robinbarbour....
Thanks for the tip! Believe it or not the pair I picked up in November from a fellow member for $350 ( !!! ) is in better shape. They're close enough to my office in NJ to inspect if the seller will allow that. I'd like to get a better visual on the midranges as these seem to be the most subjected to abuse.
My rule with eBay sellers is to immediately check out their "other items", if they're also selling ceramic teapots, extension cords, or clothing I run for the hills straight away.
Right now I am checking out my new Primare A32.4 amplifier that I just picked up a few hours ago. Immediate impression? Well mated to my Thiels. Test recording: "Cyril Davies" off "Why?", Ginger Baker. I just ran a couple of hours of Lyle Lovett through it as well. I'm liking what I'm hearing! |
unsound....
Aargh! I'm an idiot. The Primare I just purchased is the 34.2, not the model I stated in my previous post. Either Auto-fill got to me before I noticed or I just flubbed typing it.
In either case, Primare doesn't offer/disclose a 4 ohm rating in a few of their products. Bobby, my main consultant at Audio Den here, and I were equally surprised that they don't.
We're assuming a doubling of the 8 ohm rating, but we'd have to have someone test that.
From this site:
"The A34.2 is a 2 x 150 watt stereo power amplifier utilising proprietary UFPD technology. UFPD’s instantaneous rise time results in a naturally fast, clean and agile sound over a much wider frequency range and with exceptional headroom"
I just googled "UFPD Technology" and there is an interesting pdf from Primare that more or less/kind of explains the ideology.
At any rate, I'm liking it through my Audio Research LS 3 pre....
I will be looking at a BAT VK3i pre sometime this week...
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I sent an inquiry directly to Primare and am awaiting their response regarding the 4 ohm spec.
On Saturday I plugged my Astell & Kern AK100 into the cd inputs on my Audio Research LS3 preamp to give the amp a few straight hours of low level operation. Eight or so hours of Lyle Lovett will provide any amplifier with a decent range of dynamics to work with, methinks.
As this is my first class d amp I cannot offer any salient comment about their purported proficiency for good, natural, bass reproduction, nor the class's high frequency " harsh" or "etchy" reproduction. But I do know that my Thiels are opined as having a preference toward the mids and highs that some have found to be...?
This is a good match. I can say without reservation that this amp mates well with my CS3.5's. I'm a happy camper. For now.... |
Just added my virtual system here - OBLGNY'S February 2016 setup! Eek! |
Jafant...
I have to admit that I exercise caution when touting a commercial enterprise here for reasons that are obvious to everyone who buys/sells and posts here. I like the "real world" opinions of people who own and live with the equipment we discourse over as opposed to people who have a commercial stake - not that there's anything wrong with that in the proper setting.
Here on Long Island there are two bricks and mortar stores a body can WALK into without an appointment - and this one is literally right around the corner from me. When I first moved here 22 years ago I had virtually no furniture so I bought a pair of Klipsch CF-3's from them - to fill up my living room. (They were fun for a while but those horn loaded tweeters...oy vey!) The fact that they're still around is testimony enough to their business acumen.
Anyway, I should be picking up my BAT preamp this afternoon and when I do I'll be checking out the Thiels they mentioned - which may pose an issue. If they're a model above my CS3.5 dare I consider them? Woe is me!
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dklap...
Thanks for that tip regarding the legacy products. Great to know. |
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Open question...
I have a very good pair of CS3.5's right now but, as mentioned a few posts back, had offered $1100 for a pair of CS3.6's here on Audiogon which was declined. The seller just messaged me that their buyer backed out after they accepted and I could have them for $1100 now. Original cartons and everything.
It would be nice to lose that electronic equalizer but I would be sacrificing about 5hz at the low end - is it "what's a few hertz between friends" or "you're an idiot - keep the 3.5's! Or do I start a vertical collection of Thiel models? Thanks. |
Jafant...
I stopped by the store yesterday and will be picking it up Thursday. Aaaaargh! Great folks at Audio Den here in Lake Grove but thankfully they really take care of me. I also checked out a pair of Maggie 1.7i's just for the hell of it. (I like Maggie's, too) Oddly I preferred the smaller and less expensive .7's. The owner said he had a pair of used Thiels downstairs and when I pick up the BAT I'm going to ask which models they are...of course! I almost had a pair of CS3.6 from this site but offered $1100...I think they went for $1200..
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Hey folks
I just received the answer my inquiry regarding the Primare A34.2 amplifiers power rating into 4 ohms. (The only rating given on the site and in the literature accompanying the amp is 150 watts into 8 ohms.)
Primate's email stated that the amp will almost double its power into 4 ohms, "almost 300 watts per channel."
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Unsound...
Thanks for that clarification. I'm sticking with the 3.5's simply because they're so damn good as is. |
In spite of my appreciation for BAT, I still believe that Pass Labs is one of, if not the best matches for Thiel. I just received my Reno Hifi 2018 calendar which also included a new Pass Brochure and I’m so...grrrr. We’re I a wealthier man...
But another point is that used Pass, like Thiel, represent true audiophile bargains for folks like me-self. I keep looking... |
thieliste...
While I cannot offer an opinion on a MODWRIGHT KWI-200 SE with Thiel, I can offer one on the Modwright KWI-200 non-SE which I purchased used here from a fellow member a couple of months ago. 200 watts @ 8ohms, 400 watts @ 4ohms. 100% solid state BUT, it does have a home theatre by-pass which would permit employing a tube preamp if you so desire.
Fortunately for me the unit arrived in pristine condition - indiscernible from new. Mine came with a very flimsy factory plastic remote, but after researching a little further I discovered that the factory still offers a rather hefty metal remote as a $200 option. I called them directly and purchased it immediately. It worked flawlessly right out of the box.
During this his call I inquired about using the home theatre bypass to employ a tube preamp and within a minute or so Dan Wright was speaking with me. Impressed? Hell yes - and I related that I had purchased the unit used. It didn't matter. Mr. Wright treated me with the utmost courtesy, as though I was a lifelong customer.
As as this is the first all solid state system I've had in quite a while my initial impressions find it a tad more forward than any hybrid setup I've used - various solid state amps with tube preamps.
Sonically speaking I have to say it strikes me as being rather similar to a Pass X150.5 in terms of delivering accurate, uncolored, "musicality" - terms I've used to describe my impressions of Thiel as well. The nod would have to go to the Pass for perhaps being "too" clean - if THAT'S possible. The Modwright strikes me as being a touch less aggressive in the treble, but this is a hindsight opinion culled from memory, not a direct a/b comparison.
Given the the reviews I researched before purchasing the Modwright and my post-purchase experience speaking with the brand owner, I have to relate that the model you're considering is most definitely a worthy contender. Also, it is considerably larger than it appears in the web photos - my virtual systems page shows it. It's about the same size as a Pass X150.5, but it weighs a little less. Power-wise it offers 50 more watts at 8ohms and 100 more watts at 4ohms than my Pass did which, methinks, is both ample enough to power the legendarily "power hungry" Thiels, if not more than sufficient.
I hasten to add that what I look for, seek in my amplifier choices is resolution at moderate listening levels. In my humble experiences since joining this site the Pass and the Modwright deliver this exceedingly well - especially with speakers like Thiel that impressed me from the get-go with the exact same qualities.
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Jafant...
No. Rather than going to an electrical supply store for this they are dealing directly with BAT - and they were sent the wrong toggle switch. Grrrrr.... It's just a flipswitch! I'm not being charged for this so my patience is extended if not tested. They're good folks so I'm not truly concerned. However I sold my AR LS 3 and my Peachtree 220SE integrated and my Classe CP35 so I'm music less now... |
Jafant...
No, at least not for the moment!
I still have my new Primare A34.2 amp that's barely, not even broken in. I also have a "spare" CJ MF200 amp as well. I was actually thinking of returning to Pass Labs amplification. but the 150.5 that I had, and bought for $2495 a few years ago has almost doubled in price - even used/demo. Mark @ Reno keeps me updated. Yikes! That would have been the only piece of equipment I've had that actually increased in price.
If the BAT is truly something special I'll more than likely purchase a new unit. It's kind of how we should buy automobiles; check them out in a rental then decide. If that were possible in every case I would not have bought my 2011 Lexus ES 350. (An imported Buick at best!) Very uncomfortable seats, low headroom even with the sunroof open, no rear view camera...a mechanically bulletproof car with decent mpg and performance but...real world daily usage feh! I was thinking once of leasing the Cadillac XTS but after I rented it for a vacation week, found it was like driving a refrigerator box with slits for windows. Ridiculously limited rear visibility on all sides.
Wow...went off topic there!
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I finally received the BAT VK3i preamplifier back from the good folks at Audio Den here in beautiful downtown Lake Grove. Along with it I also purchased my last set of Transparent input connects so now I'm 100% Transparent on everything - except the Marantz TT-15 turntable which has proprietary cables built in.
My initial impression is that this is a very laid-back preamplifier. I tossed Ginger Baker's "Cyril Davies" into it and heard imaging better than my ARC LS 3, but I'm finding the highs a bit reigned in, or reserved? Build quality is excellent. I don't know how many hours are on the tubes so I'll be playing with that aspect in the near future. Hard to tell that this is a used piece - well worth the $1k I paid for it. As soon as my right arm mends I'm going to toss my CJ MF200 into the mix and see what happens. Too damn heavy to monkey around with now. Current amp is a Primare Research A34.2.
Its all good. |
Mapman...
Dig in, you won't regret owning Thiels. If at all possible try to locate 'em geographically convenient since even the smaller models are HEAVY. My CS 3.5's are a permanent fixture even though I've had Magnepan,. Von Schweikert...all very good speakers but...I return to them above all. (I just listened to the new Magnepan 1.7i and .7 last week. I really like the .7 better.). I'm thinking about a used pair for sale here on the site...just for kicks, a complement to my system not a replacement.
I got my 3.5's from a fellow member here for a pittance, actually the least expensive piece of equipment I own. Just make sure to inspect all the drivers visually if possible. I've seen too many models here and elsewhere with mid ranges suffering from dry rot, dented dust caps on the woofers, dimpled tweeters. The 3 different models I've owned all came with the instructions to leave the grills on for listening. |
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Jafant...
Currently I'm using a Sony Hapz1es music server for all my digital stuff which is a really good piece of equipment. It has a 1TB hard drive which I've barely put a dent in.
So far as synergy goes I'm still checking it out. I'll be buying some tubes tomorrow since I have no idea how long those installed have been in service. |
Whoa...been busy as hell here.
Anyway...
Audio Den carries the full Transparent line but doesn't stock every sku. I had a revelation about two weeks ago regarding the crazy pursuit of this enjoyable hobby. I came to the realization that while it has always been music first, I've been pretty preoccupied with equipment recently. (Say, the last two years.)
So I sez to myself, the hell with all the pieces, the wires, the procedures - lemme get back to listening. So...
I sold the BAT. I sold the Pass. I sold the CJ. I sold the Theshold. (Sound familiar, folks?)
Whilst I was at Audio Den checking out the Transparent cables they had a Simaudio Neo 340i integrated on a shelf. 100 watts 8ohm, 200 watts 4ohm and a phono stage and a dac and a bevy of other good things. I first heard this little piece (in comparison to my aforementioned pieces anyway) through a $16k pair of Wilson somethingorothers there and was pretty impressed. Needless to add my Neo arrives next week.
I mention all this because all I want to do is listen to my Thiels. Amps, preamps, CD players, servers, dacs have come and gone and no doubt will continue to do so but, these Thiels simply aren't anything I'm willing to sacrifice.
Unless, of course...another pair arise |
Jafant...
They were silver looking floorstanders.
Yes, after having the Pass twice I just decided it was time to leave separates behind. I was becoming too gear oriented methinks.
I'm kinda nuts for doing so but...it's only a possession and I can return if and when I want.
One button and ON!
ill keep you appraised of my upgrade path in cabling. |
Jafant...
It was the 400a model, 100 watts into 8, 200 watts into 4 ohms. It sounded uncannily similar to the Pass 150.5 which...made absolute sense considering the Pass association.
Just too much stuff! |
I just picked up my Neo 340i integrated yesterday. Pretty impressive piece of gear.
First impression...well worth the adventure.
Extended listening to be determined...
This is the top model in the line which includes dac, phono, and remote.
My 3.5's like it! |
Jafant...
Right now I'm listening to Mose Allison and everything is spot on. The B. A. T. VK3i is one of the best preamps I've owned. True to my intent and hoped for in my expectations is it's definition; the "reigned in" impression I previously mentioned remains, but this is not necessarily a negative aspect with the Thiels. (As some listeners find them a bit too "bright.") I never have and never will. Does it mate well with Thiel? Yes.
The Primare A34.2 is the first decent class D amp I've tried, "decent" meaning somewhat audiophile - my first toe-in-the-water with class D amplification was via a pair of Musical Fidelity M1PWR mono blocks which was a fairly cheap way to investigate the category.
I think I was pretty fortunate to get the B. A. T. for $1k used. It's a bargain. Considering that it's a 20+ year old piece I can only imagine how good the current models perform. As is my usual path in this hobby, moving up the food chain is definitely in the cards sometime this year. |
Jafant...
Reply to a few posts back, no I never went about getting my 3.5's eq's modded into balanced mono operation because Rob @ Thiel more or less failed to see the benefit for me. I still have 2 eq's so if one fails... Besides, work has been consuming me since January - a good thing mostly!
Selling off my Pass is something you'd think I'd be regretting by now since I've had two and have mentioned my appreciation for its synergy with my Thiels. I stand by that even without owning one now.
Do I miss it now - replaced by the Simaudio Neo 340i integrated? Not really. Is it different? Yes. I almost had a Pass 150 Int but it slipped away before I could commit. Aaargh.
What eventually got my money is Simaudio's trade up program. Depending upon the piece of equipment and duration of ownership they offer a credit toward a new piece of up too 100% for the old. Not too shabby.
Comparatively speaking the Neo is perhaps a smidgen more emphatic in the lower frequencies without sacrificing anything from the highs - not "bloomy" bass, but more notable. The Thiels are well known for the mids and highs to begin with - according to many folks - and that's what put them in my wheelhouse to begin with.
Perhaps the biggest difference I've been enjoying is the simplicity of using it. This is hardly a knock on separates which I may return to at some point, but I don't miss the "mission control" series of procedures one must undertake to listen; conditioner, on! Preamp, on! Turntable preamp, on! Power amp on ! Warm up sequence engaged...enjoy!
The Neo is an excellent amp for the 3.5's and I appreciate it more every day. The remote's volume control could benefit from a more delicate step in increasing or decreasing levels, but it's a small kvetch overshadowed by having a remote so I can relax even more. I'm very into relaxing.
IMHO what the Neo adds to my downsized system what my separates lacked is simplicity without a discernible, or at least a resounding difference in sonics. As I've said, "Thiels reveal!", and what they reveal now is that Simaudio has excellent compatibility.
Enjoy the weekend, folks!
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jafant...
They musta been sold. Just checked. I still have all the guts from that last pair - drivers, crossovers, bass eq. The mids are shot and will require fix. Hmmmm |
R. I. P. Chuck Berry...
Upon learning of his passing last night I began rummaging through my cd and vinyl collection in the hope of finding an album of his to spin in tribute.
It wasn't long before I discovered that I don't own a single recording of his in my collection.
Then I looked at the hundreds of albums I own again and realized, oh yes I do.
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Just an update...
Just this afternoon I replaced all the tubes in the B. A. T. preamplifier, four 6922 and two 6V6's because having bought it used I had no idea of their length of service. (All Genelax Gold Lions)
Those it came with were GE and Sovtek - perhaps how it was dressed at the factory?
I have to state...wow. Huge improvement. Even at low volume the 3.5's were way more articulate, and Thiels ARE articulate to begin with. When I put some vinyl on the sonics were absolutely over the top - best sound I've gotten to date. The "reserved" nature I previously mentioned regarding the preamp were completely gone. (Primare R32 phono pre)
This is a much better setup now. |
