Thiel Owners

Ok, update.  I found a demo Brinkmann that is totally up to date. From a dealer who just brought in Playback Design's Dream DAC (wish I could afford this one).  

I have two 'dream' DAC's other than Brinkmann.  Had to do the play on words.  I want to audition the Rockna Wavedream and the PD"s Dream DAC's to see if they will be better than the Brinkmann.  If so, I'll just sell Brinkmann for what I paid and get the one I want (if I can find either at used cost in the future).  

I can't wait to get the Brinkmann in.  As for streamers, the soon to be released The memory Player by Laufer will be a killer. I currently own their most up to date streamer/server and it's amazing.  It's close to the Taiko and once their new design and top end case is released, it will be a more real player vs Taiko and other top end servers.  I'm lucky to own the one I own.  

I just added a pair of CS 2.3 speakers to my collection and was pleasantly surprised.  I've read that they need tons of power, but they seem to do fine with my Herron M1 150 wpc monoblocks. 

I've been in love with my KEF Reference 1 speakers since I got them, but the Thiels do some things better.  The Thiels have great imaging, soundstage, scale, and detail and a great midrange.  I'm not ready to sell the KEFs yet, but the Thiels seem like they are going to give them a run for their money.

I have read numerous comments about them being "bright", which I am averse to, but I would not call them that.  They do have a little "edge" when pushed to very loud listening levels, but many speakers do and that's not how I listen.  I usually keep it around 65-75 db and they are fantastic in that range.

These are all first impressions with only a couple of hours of listening and no experimentation with setup.  I set them up with almost no toe-in on the advice of the previous owner and that seemed to work great, but I plan to experiment.

The only reason I liked the Vandersteen's over the Thiel's years ago was because the Thiels were a spec bright. Nothing I couldn't live with and have fun with, but just a bit more than the Steen's. I ended up with Proacs for their imaging etc..., but the local Thiel dealer in Newington, CT (The Audio Store) is a great little shop. The owner, Bernie, owns and LOVES them.  With the right source and electronics, they just sing as a good phase and time correct speaker will do.  Many don't hear the time and phase deal, but if you are sensitive to it, then you have to have a speaker that does it right.  VERY few choices back in the day as well as now. 

Greg picked up my 2.3 ;-) Glad they are working out so well. Time and Phase throws a big deep image, some of us find addictive - Herron power !

best to all.

Jim

So well put Jim.  If I was feeling better, I'd give you a call to catch up, lol... :).