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
Playing catch-up for the past month of this forum.
tomthiel: The Philips CD-80 you reference. That was introduced in 1989 (not 1985) for $900. I auditioned it at the time, along with the one-model-lower CD-60 that I bought and used for a decade (later with an Adcom GDA-600 DAC) before getting a deal on a CD-80 that I still use in my bedroom system today. You're right, this was likely the best CDP of its time, overbuilt like a tank electrically and mechanically, with some of the best control flexibility ever. There used to be threads of reworking the CD80 electronics, not as a 'modder' might, but more like Philips might in a "Mk II" to correct and optimize portions of an otherwise brilliant design and execution.

yyzsantabarbara: I've taken renewed interest in your threads here and elsewhere about your Thiel and KEF LS50 experiences, as I just picked up a pair of LS50 Metas to 'supplement' my CS2.4 due to a neighbor hypersensitive to what little bass transmission between condos exists, even with my room and 2.4s optimized for minimal LF bleed. Both the stands and speakers will remain unopened until after the holidays, but will be curious how the two speakers compare based on your observations. I have listened to Blades (1&2) at length, but was never in the market for an LS50-type speaker, until now, and the choice was clear. Though i was less clear as to whether the previous version on closeout, or the meta before this batch sold out.  Are you going Meta?

Finally, I'm going to try again, the first time in years, to sell my mint pair of CS2.3 in maple, complete with the original shipping boxes and manuals. These are later-production models with the already-updated XO and coaxes (the latter replaced at least once). I haven't sold any audio of 'substance' in many years, Audiogon doesn't appear to be what it once was.  How and where would this group suggest I go about selling my 2.3s, and for how much?
@sdecker Congrats on the LS50 Meta. All the comments I have read on it indicated a very nice performance improvement. The Meta are doing something like what Vivid Audio is doing but likely more advanced. I wonder if the rear cancelling Meta allows closer front wall placement. Reviewers usually do not give this valuable info.

I am deciding on the Yamaha NS5000 or KEF Bade 2 for my downstairs system. Buying this is all dependent on a stock investment I made. A few years ago I sold my old stereo system and put it into this stock. So if it hits I will spend a bit of money on the living room system without anxiety.

I am waiting on KEF to trickle up the Meta tech to the Blade 2. I am under the impression that is in the works. Blade 2 are going for half price used now and is the smarter buy but this next 2nd system is not about being smart.

USAAudiomart is free and rather good for selling. Though last night I put up an ad for a WANTED AHB2 amp and I got a scammer redirect me to his/her web site to scam me. I figured it out after some customer support conversation with someone in this group. However, for selling, USAudiomart, is very good. A’gon is also still pretty good.
@yyzsantabarbara  I've read Meta reviews too, from a consistently slight improvement over the original to a significant technology leap for all box speakers. As I've no experience with the original, I doubt I'll be let down. Like I said, the intent is not to replace my Thiels.

Recent Stereophile measurements clearly show Meta tweeter wired ouf of phase vs original, though no mention in KEF white paper as to why this should be so. You have your share of experience now with out-of-phase HF units, any idea why they might make this change?

I've been very impressed with Blade 2, but admit it would be tough to choose between a known-good-quantity at half price, and a likely very-improved upcoming Meta model, as I had to decide at a much lower price point last week with the LS50. But if it's not about 'smart money' go for the newer Blades: as with the LS50, they'll be tweaking more than just the tweeter rear wave absorption.

I've probably taken this far-enough off-topic by now for a Thiel forum...

I do not have a good baseline to compare and offer an opinion. My COAX was wired out of phase and also wired incorrectly between the tweeter and mid-range (on 1 COAX). This COAX was likely damaged from that second mess up. When I got the speaker home I definitely could hear some nastiness with that COAX. I could not hear it at the previous owners place. So I attribute that to amplification or me not listening so intently.