: )
Having a "good ear day",
Dave Matthews...Wow, so damn good!
Why is it some days everything sounds so sweet and detailed?
Having a "good ear day",
Dave Matthews...Wow, so damn good!
Why is it some days everything sounds so sweet and detailed?
Thiel Owners
Guys-
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!
Keep me posted & Happy Listening!
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!
Keep me posted & Happy Listening!
Showing 50 responses by robinbarbour
In 1986 I'm afraid I could only afford a receiver and no separates. I do remember at that time I had a set of Phase Research speakers (Phil Clements) that I was smitten with....I had not heard Thiel yet since no dealers nearby. There were Audio Stores everywhere - ! My best buddy Ron was also an audio fan and we made many, many trips out of state just to listen to brands not in our area. Come to think of it, he was with me the first time I heard Thiel. He was not as smitten with them as I was and ended up with B&W. Dahlquist was on my short list until I heard Thiel. Good memories..... |
First heard Thiel in the very early 90's. Maybe 1992 or even 91. I didn't purchase my used CS2 2 until 10 years later. (Going through a divorce and raising two children does funny things to you wallet.) Never forgot them though, so when opportunity struck...I later bought a back-up pair since I worried about replacement parts. I doubt if I will ever replace what I have now - Thiel legacy series is where my journey ends speaker-wise. Guess I will play with the electronics! |
I missed most of this posting until now, but reading al of it I must say it is good to hear some of the comments that confirm some of my feelings about Thiel speakers....namely the older models. One comment was from a member that owns both the CS6 and 3.6 - he preferred the 3.6. There are a lot of favorable mentions of the 2 2. I myself own multiple models and use in 5.1 and 2 channel systems. I have a couple smartsubs, four PCS, three MCS and four 2 2. Some of these are extra (Back-up) because I never want to be without Thiel in my system and after Jim's passing, in my mind the legacy ended. My point is, that even though the 2 2 has given way to newer models, I can't seem to let myself part with them. They sound so good that it is not worth selling since they are WAY undervalued in the used market. I have no room for this stuff! How do people part with something like that and not have regret? |
Jafant, I like you comment : "Another attribute- very clean. Some will confuse this aspect w/ forward and/or bright. I suppose that if fed the wrong source or component the presentation could be bright. At any rate, this could be tamed w/ a tubed pre-amp or amp. My fave combo is a tubed pre-amp and solid state power amp. Most important of all, carefully selecting cables/power cords." I have been experimenting with cables and getting some decent results, but difficult to try without purchase. My question is about tubes. I am operating a surround system with Thiels and the only tube prepro I saw was cj that doesn't do decoding. I was thinking of possibly Cary Cinema, but wanted to know if anyone had other suggestions? What are your thoughts on 5 channel. I still currently get good two channel with my set up and would like to stay multiple channeled. |
michaeljbrown, Have you thought about the Thiel PCS? Identical drivers as used in the MCS and less obtrusive. I used four along with MCS and Smartsub prior to my current system and sounded great. I never really liked the in wall premise for surround sound - too much depends on placement for good sound and no options with in wall. |
jafant, They are selling your amp on ebay! : ) This is one for the archives...I remember reading about someone that sent one of these to cj for update to modern caps they use today. This is a very rare bird indeed. http://www.ebay.com/itm/152478204813?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT |
Dan, You are not a rarity in using Thiel as surround sound. I see a lot of power points for sale and always wondered with Atmos - what it would be like to have Thiel in that lineup. I have 5.1 and use 4 PCS with MCS as center along with SmartSub. My big news is I scored a set of 2.7's last Saturday and they are wonderful! I'm still tuning, but I'm very encouraged by the sound. Each refinement in the Thiel lineup was an improvement and I never thought I would be able to afford these. Happy as can be! Prior to this purchase I noticed some glare in certain vocals and still see it. I'm trying to track down the issue. I did change some cables a few months ago, but I think they may have just brought this glare to the forefront. (Analysis plus solo interconnects) I see more transparency with these and think it was there before, just cables brought it to forefront. Anyone have ideas? I have spares of some equipment and will change some things out to see if I can track it down. |
jafant, you hit the nail on the head...Silver coated copper speaker cables. I switched back to Kimber 8tc and much better in the glare aspect. It does seem as though I lost some presence though. I never experimented much with cables and started a few months ago. Too many changes as same time.... Does anyone have experience with Analysis Plus oval 8? I'm thinking of going with heavier cables than the 8tc - possibly 12tc. Any recommendation is a |
Michael, I just checked out your main system - sweet! I'm using cj MF-5600 and since I added 2.7's I'm thinking I need more power. I had a NHT Power5 in the system and recently removed it in a search to remove some glare I was hearing. (The cj was collecting dust and I was going to send in for a check up) What are your thoughts on a 5 channel amp? Pre/Pro is NHT Controller and I was thinking of changing out both units. I like a smoother sound and there is nothing out there tubed for processor. Funny how you make a change in system and then want to change everything! |
oblgny That is a coincidence...My previous surround system had all Alon speakers. Very nice sounding. Smooth and open....but not Thiels as you said.I still have all of them and need to sell eventually. I have the Lotus Elite fronts (Saloon door looking) with LCR Grand center and Alon Petite rears. They were very enjoyable. |
oblgny We will wait in anticipation for your first impressions! I myself have not had the opportunity to hear he 3.6 and was always wondering of comparison to other Thiels since rated so highly by Stereophile mag. All different drivers and no eq, so not same as you have been listening to. Maybe best of all - No break in period! Immediate enjoyment after positioning... : ) |
unsound, Excellent synopsis! I did not realize the class A bias would halve with impedance drop! We might want to think about amplifier distortion doubling as impedance halves also. David - Dave Matthews - nearly anything Beach boys - Pet Sounds Cake - Comfort Eagle Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young - 4 way Street The Doors - The Doors - and - Morrison Hotel |
Just an FYI guys...There is a set of 2.4's on eBay. Atlanta and local pick up only, but perfect condition. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Thiel-CS-2-4-Floorstanding-Loudspeakers-pair-Walnut-/222483512083?hash=item3... |
Guys - Just saw a pair of 3.7 on eBay. Some dings and scratches, but there are still some to be had in the used market. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Thiel-CS3-7-Loudspeakers-Cherry-Finish-Cosmetic-Flaws-Local-Pickup-Only-/252... |
Just going over the power requirements again.... I have CS 2.7 and from ratings below if I looked for an amp putting out 400 watts into 8 Ω, it would double down to 800 at nominal 4 Ω and 1333 watts at the 2.4 Ω minimum? CS 2.7 Specs: Impedance 4 Ω (2.4 Ω minimum@160Hz) Recommended Power 100-400 watts My amp really seems puny now...200 at 8 and 350 at 4! |
I have 2.2 model and now the 2.7. I can't bear to part with the 2.2's. I completely understand what oblgny sees in his 30 year old speakers. It is the same thing I see (hear) in the 2.2 version and why I will not let them go. The refinements over the years for each model line has been beneficial in the smoothness and musicality of the speaker, however the "old" sound was just as good - even better- in different ways. There - I've said it - you guys can hang me out to dry if you want and I spent quite a bit more on the new model. I like it just as much, but not more. i listen to the 2.7's and sometime want to listen to the 2.2's. I'll put the old models up against competition's new models any day of the week. |
jafant, I actually have these in 5.1 systems for both stereo and movies. I use a cj MF5600 in one and an NHT Power5 (B&O Icepower) in the other. Before anyone reading this scoffs at the NHT, they should listen - or read about it on the web. obligny - I thought some might say I was bonkers for liking my 2 2 just as much as the 2.7. There are differences, but liked equally by myself. The older Thiels are best buys found on the web...! I fully understand your love of the 3.5. |
jafant, Reading the stereophile review of CS2.4 they listed : Preamplifiers: Ayre K-5xe, Conrad-Johnson ACT2, Viola Labs Cadenza. Power Amplifiers: Ayre V-5xe, Coda S5, Fisher 500-B, Cayin SA 50T, Moscode 401HR, Viola Labs Symphony. That might be a good place to start, but if wanting to stay with integrated instead of seperates, I noticed at shows, Bryston was used with Thiel at a lot of their displays. |
I think the reason for active is to couple drivers directly to the amplifier and get rid of crossover components. Also a passive radiator shares same compartment with the woofer and is coupled together by the air pressure, so I don't think two active woofers of different designs would work. The SS3 amp is designed specifically for bass reproduction with specific Thiele/Small parameters in mind and proprietary to the drivers. Though nut to crack, but good luck! |
As a 2.7 owner, I don't think you will be missing much as compared to the 3.7. I never heard the 3.7, but I find the bass satisfying.
Actually, when I auditioned them I was very surprised by the bass, much better than I expected.
(Although I do use a smartsub, to be honest you would never know it was there.) |
dlcockrum (Dave), Very impressive system! It's good to see someone who has gone through various changes and get their input. I struggle with what direction to go and it's always good to see another's experience and final conclusion. (Never really finished is it?) I see there is a pair of the DR-9 amps for sale on another site for 2K, so this seems like an amp worth investigating... |
Prof, Very interesting evaluation. My thoughts on the 2.7 as compared to previous models was that is was "smoother and more lush" as you say about the 3.7 in comparison. This is good stuff....I am appreciating your evaluation as are all reading this. (Who has this opportunity in their home!) I still think, that it would be beneficial to compare the tilt of the 3.7 and try to match the same on your 2.7. it may give you a different impression, but maybe not - as I recall you were nearfield in you listening position. |
Guys - just got an email from Rob Gillum in reply to an inquiry. Repair for coax in MCS1 is $250.00. I certainly don't feel this is a bad price. Shipping boxes/packaging for my CS2.7's however is $160.00.....Each! I figured I would get packaging in case they no longer supported, but I'm re-thinking now. I purchased second hand and no packaging was supplied in the deal. |