Well, I picked up the CS3.5's today in NYC, drove home, swapped the cables from my CS3.6's and...
The cabinets are quite rough in some spots and the grills could definitely benefit from a re-do, but all the drivers are sound and the sonics are, as expected, excellent. While I'm not parting with my 3.6's, there IS something about the 3.5's that absolutely thrills me. Tomorrow I'm gonna throw the EQ in the chain for further inspection. So far, so utterly good.
As to what I won the auction for? How does $206 grab you? Truthfully, two hundred and six measly dollars that sound like THIS??? In spite of this pair being the most cosmetically challenged pair I've purchased - and this makes 3 pairs thus far - the sonics remain impressive.
Unsound...if you were serious about picking them up they're yours to have for the identical price. I will of course list them to keep abiding by A'gon rules, but they're yours.
So so far as what may be in my wheelhouse for another amp, Simaudio may well be in play since I can trade this 340idpx2 integrated back for full boat purchase price ($4500) when I upgrade. This is the top of the line model with every bell and whistle - I think I can even convert it to a gas grill, unless I'm mistaken...Within a year of purchase. Not a bad deal, but I could exceed my budget. Naturally, based on past experience, I've been checking out Reno Hifi for a nice Pass Labs. Perhaps a BAT integrated, perhaps a Bryston amp. All depends on the audio gods and my wallet. If'n I go with separates I'd be looking at Pass amp/ARC preamp. Again, all depends...
Anyway, I thought paying $350 for my previous pair of one owner 3.5's put me in the "bargain hall of fame", but this was just silly.
Right now I'm tugging on an icy cold bottle of Greenport Beehave Summer Ale after ripping my kitchen cabinets apart all day, listening to that glorious pair of 3.5's remind me why I started drinking the Thiel kool-aid in the first place.
Groovy man, just groovy.
