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Parasound Halo JC-1 for Thiel CS 5i

Hi,

I have a set of Thiel CS5i's that I am running with a W4S ST1000 amp.

Would Parasound Halo JC-1 mono amps be an improvement? Why?

Thanks,

Dsper

dsper
unsound
7,329 posts
 
^Thiel used to recommend one only use "Endust". Most everything else will leave dreaded fisheye. I apply the Endust to a soft cloth not directly to the cabinets. Be careful, especially with older models, cleaning the grill cloths, as it's possible to either push in the domes or if vacuuming to detach the voice coils. Except for the CS 2's (and perhaps other models?) which use an adhesive in addition to the screws to attach the grills to the cabinet, it might be wise to remove the grills before cleaning the grill cloths.
unsound
7,329 posts
 

dsper, with the CS 5's it's the amps capability into 2 Ohms that is most relevant. I would only consider amps that could double down and down again into that load. I would recommend by starting with amps spec'd with the capability to deliver at least 400 Watts into 2 Ohms, and ideally 800 to 1600 Watts into 2 Ohms. After that it comes down to the sonic characteristics of the amps under consideration and personal preference.

These speakers amp requirements is perhaps the only reason I don't own them. Driven properly, they are wonderful!

Krell ;-).
 

dsper OP
663 posts
 

I use a micro fiber cloth to remove finger prints on the black baffle and expect any good paste wax will be good fro the wood sides and back.

I had a tweeter cap fall off and ordered speaker glue from Simply Speakers. It cost $10 and I probably used 17 cents worth. It is white, rubber based, and will flex. I suspect Elmers rubber cement at a third of the cost for 4 times as much would work just as well, although the thin spigot on the Simply Speakers bottle was a way to not over apply.

dsper OP
663 posts
 

One other thing I forgot to mention about the ML 433 is that it felt like it was at room temperature at the 12 o clock position after a couple of hours which makes it a viable candidate for a cabinet install.

WAF will create problems with a big amp sitting on the floor with exposed wires, etc.

dsper OP
663 posts
 
Not sure that anyone cares but I took the ML 433 back to my dealer and he loaned me a Pass X350 that has new caps. In my opinion much better than the ML 433.

Bass may not be quite as tight as the ML 433 but the Pass has a nicer, sweeter high end with better decay and deeper sound stage - at least in my set up. Also the Pass is warmer. Finally, the Pass sounded effortless at high volumes compared to the ML.

This may be the difference between 200 watts and 350 watts into 8 ohms.

So, I rank them with the Thiel cs5's:
1. Pass
2. ML
3. W4S
4. Parasound A21

And it looks like I have a lot more to check into before I decide on this.

Dsper
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