Thiel CS6 to Von Schweikert VR4 JR - Am i Crazy?

i think you might wanna look elsewhere before dumping your thiels. i haven't heard the cs6, but i almost bought a pair of cs2.3 on my search for a speaker. i've heard a vr-4 gen.iii with an ead pre/pro and aragon 8008bb. i wasn't very impressed personally. haven't heard the vr-4 jr though. i too would suggest a source change before making a speaker change. if you're dead set on a speaker change, i think the gershman avant garde rx-20 might meet the requirements you're looking for. of course, i'm biased since i own a pair. good luck in your hunt.

i agree w/ the others. mod or try another source first before dumping the speakers. stock elite players aren't known for excellent audio quality.

Yes, you are crazy. Thiel 6.0 is among the best speakers I have ever heard. Maybe you really should change first the source, as Tvad said. I dont know McCormack, but I heard Thiel with Pass 250, and that combination might provide what you are after. Kimber cables also might warm up the system. Alternatively, I would suggest to look after a used wilson benesch act I. That more or less able to provide what you are after, although it has less bass extension and less treble energy than the thiel. I have only heard the vr-4junior with BAT electronics. That system was a bit muddy and slow. I really think that that step would be a majpr step backward.

Before changing anything you should experiment with speaker/listener placement paying particular attention to speaker toe-in. Moving the speakers further into the room might help with the soundstage depth issue. Alternatively, a good tube parametric EQ (Manley, EAR) will also accomplish what you seek.

BTW, due to their cabinet shapes the VR4 Jr. will look much larger in most rooms than the Thiel.

I have put better (Naim, Arcam, Ayre) digital sources into the system and have only seen slight improvements that I would not pay the thousands of dollars to achieve. I primarily listen to vinyl now anyway and that has proven to be a better source than the pioneer. I still believe that the speakers (and how they interact in the room) have by far the most impact on the sound of a system. (assuming decent source and amplifiers)

That is why I am considering changing the Thiels. I just don't seem to be getting that magical enveloping sound I am hoping for. I have been reading many positive comments on the VSAs and thought they would be worth an audition. I have moved them around (within the tolerable parameters) and tried cables. Don't get me wrong, it sounds good. i just would like to try to take it up a notch in the areas I mentioned and think that a different speaker might be worth trying.