Thiel Owners

Question for the Thiel owners and enthusiasts here:  If you could buy a pair of CS5's or CS7.2's for the same price in similar condition, which would you pick (and why!)?

Tom,  Thank you for your feedback on CS5's vs. CS7.2's.  I very much appreciate your thoughts.  FWIW, I ended up buying both pair:)  The 7.2's have severely damaged woofers though, so not sure yet what I will do with them if the woofers cannot be repaired.
-Gary

So, I have the new to me CS5's set up (sort of) in my listening room.  Still need to be positioned properly, but I've got to move some gear to make room:).  Regardless, they already sound fantastic.  I am already feeling better about the speakers I'll likely be selling to make room.
There is one issue though.  The top woofer (mass loaded) on one of the speakers makes a flapping (or maybe rubbing) sound at volume.  The same driver on the other speaker is fine.  The surround looks good, so I can only assume that the voice coil is rubbing?  Does anyone know if the CS5 woofers tend to have issues with sagging voice coils or surrounds?  I will probably send the driver off to Rob, but I'm wondering if this is something I should be concerned about with the other five woofers.

Thank you Tom! I will give that a try.
-Gary

I hope that wire choices don't significantly drive up the cost of these upgrades that the team is working on.  I won't weigh in on the overall audio cable debate, but transmission line effects are generally not relevant in audio equipment, at least the analog audio frequency sections (pcb design for digital portions are another matter altogether).  There is a reason audio equipment output impedences are so much lower than input impedences, and it isn't to control reflections.  Maybe you could go a bit a la carte and offer the crossover update with or without the wire upgrades?

I used a XP-10 for several years and really enjoyed it.  I only sold it because I got a deal on an Audio Research preamp that I had been eyeing for some time.  The ARC pre is different, but not universally better than the XP-10. I used the the XP-10 with Rogue Audio, Levinson, and Audio Alchemy class a (om.90) monos.  It sounded great with all of them:)  It is a great audio value at current used prices in my opinion.  Unfortunately, none of this listening was with a Pass amp or my newly acquired Thiel speakers.

"esprits4s
Thank You for your assessment of the XP-10. Which ARC pre-amp did you purchase?   "
Jafant,
It is a Reference 3.
-Gary

Hi Everyone,  Very much enjoying that this thread is so active. I've mentioned before that I own a pair of CS5's and CS7.2's.  The CS5's are close to mint, and the CS7.2's unfortunately have seen better days cosmetically. 
  When I originally started researching Thiel speakers, the CS5's were on my dream list.  Once I finally found a pair locally, it was a packaged deal with a pair of CS7.2's that needed work.  After sending the damaged CS7.2 woofers to Rob Gillum for complete rebuilds, the speakers sound great despite being cosmetically challenged.  At some point, I need to decide between the two speaker pairs on which to keep.  I've started A/B'ing them, and one thing that stands out is that the CS5's seem to be bass shy compared to the CS7.2's.  I am using the same amp on both (Levinson 436 monoblocks), they should have plenty of power. 
  So, my question is should this be expected, or should I be looking into the CS5's for issues?

Thank you Tom.  I will start there.

The GFA 5802 is a highly regarded Adcom amp. I owned one at one point (prior to my Thiels though), and it drove a pair of Aerial Acoustic 10T’s nicely. However, I understood that it would be very difficult to repair if any issues arose with the output hexfets (NLA?). I ended up selling mine partially because of this concern, but I don't know how valid of a concern it was. 

FWIW, I am running Levinson 436’s (CS5) and Aragon Palladiums (CS7.2) currently. I have thought about buying one of the big Krells to compare, but haven’t pulled the trigger.

Hi Jafant,  Yes, I am still using the ARC Reference 3.  Speakers are CS5 and CS7.2.

Hi,  Could anyone give the differences between the CS5 speakers and the CS5i?  I currently own the CS5's (GREAT speakers) and am wondering if I should be on the lookout for a pair of CS5i's to upgrade.
BR,Gary

Thank you Tom!

Hi duramax747,  If possible, I would like to add the CS5 to your list of outriggers.  I'm happy to provide you measurements and can promise the purchase of at least one set.
-Gary