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Looking for new speakers

I'm looking to upgrade my Thiel CS3.6s -- I never thought I'd say this, but I think they are not good enough for the rest of my system. 

Within the last two years, I've upgraded my amplification to a Luxman L-509x integrated amp, and upgraded my turntable to a Luxman 171a. Overall my system sounds pretty good --- MUCH better than before the upgrade. However, there are some recordings on which there is definite distortion, particularly especially well-mastered 45s. For example, Diana Krall's Look of Love has so much distortion it's almost unlistenable. Even in the 33s, I can now hear a low-level distortion.

My theory is that when the Thiels were manufactured, the electronics were not quite as good as they are now, and definitely the recordings were not mastered as expertly, so these weaknesses did not show up. They were great speakers in their day, but, alas, I think maybe that day has passed, at least in my system.

I'm looking for something in the $10K - $15K range. Not sure if there's anything in that range that would be enough of an improvement, but I'd love some suggestions. It's been many years since I've looked at speakers, so I'm not really up on what's available at that price point.
theo714
tomic601's avatar
tomic601
12,882 posts
 
Actually no, Jim T was a genius - sounds like you have some aged filter caps or a bad driver - reach out to people who own Thiels today on the Thiel thread curated by @jafant Tom who worked for many years at Thiel is a frequent poster and you can contact Coherent Source for service.
never take advise from somebody who runs down Thiel for a box of cheap tweeters bought unheard....
iF you do want to stick with a time a phase coherent speaker - don’t read about them, you can hear them all across the USA - Vandersteen since 1977 and yes, jim and Richard Vandersteen we’re rivals but also friends.
Enjoy the journey but more importantly the music !!!

tomic601's avatar
tomic601
12,882 posts
 
Jim T understand driver breakup had two components, one completely unrelated to drive level, so the drivers you already own are really good :-) 
jackd
1,065 posts
 
As your Luxman integrated has pre outs and main ins I would look at the Vandersteen Quatro CT. Same first order crossover concept as your Thiels with the addition of the built in subwoofers. But first as tomcic said check with the people on the Theil thread and see if yours just need some TLC. 
jond's avatar
jond
5,750 posts
 
If you're having distortion listening to records it's most likely your turntable setup if there a professional near you who can check it out?
twoleftears's avatar
twoleftears
5,315 posts
 
1. ignore first respondee.
2. as others have suggested, address audible distortion issue first.  If the Thiels and everything else are performing to spec, you shouldn't hear this.  Try and isolate it by swopping/swopping over components.
3. There are lots of 10-15K speaker threads on here already.  There's a LOT of product out there.  You can run the gamut from Harbeth to Wilson.  
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