Thiel Owners

I'm not the only one to appreciate the Cambridge 840w as monoblocks.  Doug Schroeder reviewed them that way when they came out and thought they were exceptional, describing them as "the best sounding SS amps I have used regardless of cost."  I'm not a reviewer and haven't heard dozens of amps in my system but I've never been tempted to upgrade.  They replaced a pair of Classe CA200s and I thought they were better than those.  This system is so good I'm never really tempted to replace any of it.  If anything I'd upgrade the room treatment but it hasn't been a priority since kids.  I think I'd have to spend a fortune to get a significant upgrade and I'd miss the money more than enjoy the improvement if there even was one.

Cambridge Audio Azur 840E Preamplifier & 840W Monoblock Amplifiers Review - Dagogo

@tomthiel Thank you for this fantastic write-up of the differences between the two versions.

Most CS5 owners upgraded to the CS5i.

Great to know that some of the CS5 out there may actually be functionally equivalent to CS5i

The only visual difference between the 5 and 5i is the mass loading of the subwoofers. The original rubber mats proved troublesome via eventual corner lifting of of the mats. The 5i MDF center plugs perform the same loading function without the hassles.

I read this a few times and I am still a little confused. First thing that came to mind was a MDF brace at the back of the woofer motor, but you say the difference is visible so that couldn’t be it. If you could clarify what the difference looks like, that would be really great. Also, would that difference be there in CS5 that have been upgraded to CS5i spec, or just in factory CS5i? Thank you!

@jon_5912 

That was in 2009 though.

I understand the concept of time.