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Thiel Owners

Guys-

I just scored a sweet pair of CS 2.4SE loudspeakers. Anyone else currently or previously owned this model?
Owners of the CS 2.4 or CS 2.7 are free to chime in as well. Thiel are excellent w/ both tubed or solid-state gear!

Keep me posted & Happy Listening!
128x128jafant
thielrules
160 posts
 
I tested the need for high current amps with my new 3.7. And compared carefully my Bryson 3bst with a pair of 7bst, both in parallel and serial setting. Bottom line, the difference in current capacity never came into play as I never reached the spl where the 3bst was under powered. If your listening level is 85 db or less, this is a non issue. My amp was using less then 30 watt per channel and the basic laws still apply. My listening space is fairly large, 30 by 30 by 16 ft. So I like a full sound that the 3.7 delivers. Of course, if you like your music loud and push the limit, the actual current limits may come into play before you realize it.
unsound
7,327 posts
 

@Beetlemania, That would depend on the loudspeakers and room. 85 dB is rather a low bar. Much music is intended for much greater peaks. At this level I think we can reasonably expect a lot more. I would really like to be able to achieve about 105 dB peaks on symphonic crescendos. Since ultimate volume levels are not that high a priority for me, I settle for less. I think that compromise might be the weakest part of my system, but I’m OK with it. Though I haven’t measured it, I suspect I can achieve somewhere between 95 dB and 100 dB peaks.

But, that’s not the point. It’s about providing the least distorted, clean power into the actual load at hand. If I recall correctly, your running Thiel CS 2.4’s? If that’s the case, I’d suggest a minimum of 400 Watts into 2 Ohms per channel. Preferably twice that. That might sound like an outrageous amount of Watts, but that minimum can be had with a true high current 100 Watt rated into 8 Ohms per channel amplifier.

If your enjoying your system with less than that, just imagine what it might sound with appropriate power into the actual impedance of your own CS 2.4s!

As to why JA might suggest a "... good 4 Ohm - rated amp..." I would offer because sub 4 Ohm loads are unusual, amps are rarely rated as such, perhaps due to the fact that way back when tubes ruled the day, very,very few amps had less than a 4 Ohm tap.

As for the numbers, if they can provide guidance, why not? Would you prefer that I just shoot off !@#$ from my hip or some other part of my anatomy? Despite all the guru mysticism marketing BS in audio, these are still exercises in engineering.

unsound
7,327 posts
 

@ronkent, I like and respect Paul. There is very little I disagree with him about, such as the importance of time coherence. If he did ask why a BHK might be disqualified for use with a given Thiel, then I have to question whether or not he actually read my post.

I don't usually like to speak for those that can speak for themselves, but this was addressed to me, and I might be doing TomThiel a diplomatic favor in this case; if you were to search through this thread, you might find from himself regarding, yes, the inquiry about BHK amps with Thiel's, and further along in the thread a caution about Thiel impedance loads and the " 2 Ohm Stable for musical transients" rating.

unsound
7,327 posts
 
Andy2, Really? Is that where this is going? I suggest that you either offer more constructive posts or work on your cleverness.
beetlemania
834 posts
 
@unsound
If you’re trying to recreate orchestral climaxes in your room, I suggest you have the wrong speaker rather myself with the wrong amp. Most Wilsons or the JBL K2 9800 will play loud as hell without issue. I hope buyers of the CS2.4 are not expecting to get ear splitting SPLs. And I hope, for the sake of your ears, that you reserve that experience for an actual orchestra a few times per year rather than every night in your room.

Yes, 85 dB is a low bar. It’s also close my upper limit of comfort. Unless I’m going to listen to folk or a quartet, I bring ear plugs to most concerts. Even at 90 dB, my Ayre has plenty of headroom, probably <15W with the 88 dB 2.4. It’s laughable to think my amp is sweating. 2 ohm, 4 ohm, doesn’t matter at this level. Meanwhile, go take a look at Soundstages measurements of the 2.4. Speaker distortion probably becomes audible before amp distortion (and the CS2.4 has superbly low distortion).

Yes, extra power sounds better, all other factors equal. All other factors are not equal. I’ll take an Ayre, ARC, or Aesthetix over any Krell or Levinson, thank you (hey, I’m an A-hole!). I won’t assume your system is wrong for you. Please grant me the same and ronkent.

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