Wilson better than Thiels?

In my heart, what you need is a turntable, but that's for another thread.

Have you access to some other speaker cables to try w/your Thiels, perhaps MIT?

You've got a great preamp, and amps that are often paired with Thiels, so it's tough to nail it down. When you say, "a bit more openness and a better sense of realism", that just begs for analog...Cheers,
Spencer

Shadorne, I think you are a fan of British sounds.
Are there main different between British and American sounds? ..... I hope I am not creating third world war here!!
I listened to the Proac D28/38 but I did not like it. I had a chance to listen to the HL-5 Long time ago and I can still remember that speaker has sometime special. I hope I can find one used. I don’t think that will be an up-grade but is a change of taste.
The Wilson’s sound is more inline with my existing taste; I will know for sure there is less to be compromised. But the price is ….. :(
Turntable… I got one too. Check my old threads.
Is my Thiels is up to its potentials? I think they are. I am not saying my systems sounded poor, it is just my up-grade buds…
I want to find a speaker that sounds more ‘life-like’ than my Thiels….
In Sydney, it is impossible to find proper listening trials for a lot of brands. There are only a handful of importers who still sells 2-channels. We are really in the out-back of Hi Ends!

Yeah, it'll come down to preference - especially considering audiophiles and enthusiasts alike will always differ on tastes.
I used to sell Thiel and Wilson both. I owned a pair of Thiel 2.3's, as I got a good deal on em. Still, the Wilson's through the line are better, but more expensive, IMO.

I like both, but would choose Thiels.

You might want to consider some Thiel 7.0 or higher. A buddy of mine had the 3.6's and then upgraded to the 7.0's. HUGE difference. The 7.0's are overall a smoother more realistic speaker with much better bass.