Thiel Owners

@jafant
Yes, I have 163/164. What a memory!

Given that the SE was released before Jim T passed in 2009 and my pair was built in 2012 (as reported by the seller and confirmed per label on a woofer), I suspect SEs were built as orders trickled in. But it’s hard to imagine that your even newer pair does not also have FST sourced boards. Obviously, you are plenty happy with your sound, so all is good.

In my case, I was very happy with the OEM boards but heard a slight “glassy” quality in the midrange. Encouraged by Tom Thiel’s participation here, I upgraded the resistors which cleared that issue and provided other sonic benefits. And now I have made global changes and am discovering what the Thiel CS2.4s are capable of. Literally put a smile on my face.

Andy - my first-choice idea for multiple runs is to twist the bunch (2 or 3) 18 ga varnished coil wires having essentially no dialectric. That wire-twine is insulated with a cotton sleeve (very low dielectric absorption) if physically necessary - and/or physically kept from contacting its opposite polarity mate or other conductor. Driver runs will require spacers so that the ± twine-pair can be twisted to reduce capacitance. I am looking at teflon donuts for that purpose.

Much of the insulation requirement for speaker cables and interconnects is due to handling, being stepped on and so forth. Inside a speaker cabinet is a safer, more predictable environment.

Regarding the FST coils, I sent pics to Tom Thiel and he noted the apparent loose winding. When my new ERSE and Jantzen coils arrived, I was stunned at the difference in tightness of the windings. Given my global changes, I cannot say to what degree replacing the coils has improved SQ.

I was surprised at the CYC caps on my OEM boards and an Internet search revealed little about their quality or construction. But I was especially disappointed to discover that they are MKT (polyester) instead of MKP (polypropylene). As I suggested in my previous post, there is nothing “wrong” with their sound, but other caps have better SQ. Earlier 2.4s apparently have MKP caps.

I was unable to determine the manufacturer for the resistors but they superficially resemble those on Lexington boards I’ve seen on the ‘net. Nevertheless, replacing those with Mills MRA-12s was money well spent. 

beetlemaniaPutting a smile on our faces is what it is all about my friend.As soon as Tom and You have finished products, I want to visit and hear the outstanding improvements. No rush- enjoy this hobby and the Music!
Happy Listening!

Hi beetlemania and Tom,

I am wondering if you could comment on the sound improvement of the CS2.4 given various xover upgrades?  I think you have said there was improvement but could you elaborate a bit more?  I understand it's hard to describe sound quality in verbal language but if you could give some impression on the improvement over the stock xovers?

Thanks.