Room Details

Dimensions: 20’ × 13’  Medium
Ceiling: 10’


Components Toggle details

    • VTL TP-2.5
    Tube phono setup for Moving Magnet
    • Cardas Quadlink 5C speaker cable
    these are cables that I'm glad I never sold
    • Thiel Audio CS2.4
    coincident midrange design w/8" woofer and passive radiator
    • Ayre CX-7e
    CD Player
    • Mapleshade Samson
    wickedly nice component shelf, brass footers in conjunction really do make equipment perform better
    • VPI HW17
    Cleaning machine
    • Balanced Audio VK-600
    The grizzly bear
    • Straightwire Rhapsody
    phono to preamp
    • Billy Bags #2424
    great stand for a large amplifier
    • Canare star quad 4s11 balanced XLR
    preamp to amp / cd to preamp
    • Thiel Audio MCS-1
    pair in black ash for surround effects. Marvelous build quality
    • Thiel SCS-4
    Rockin little bookshelf speakers. An absolute steal for the cost
    • Clearaudio Maestro v2 MM
    • Clearaudio Concept Wood
    Using Satisfy tonearm.
    • Balanced Audio Technology VK-33SE
    Upgraded from a VK-3ix preamp
    • Pass Labs X150.8
    2Ch. stereo amp
    • REL S/812
    12" powered subwoofer with hi-level cable connection.
    • Luxman D-03X
    CD player

Comments 70

Owner
Thank You Jafant! Room sounds best when I throw couch cushions on the sidewalls to absorb some of the first order sound reflections. Ive really got to just order a few acoustic geometry panels and hang them.

Funny story, When I initially auditioned the Thiels they were being fed a Cary tube 303 CD player if I recall. I haven't yet heard a BAT VK-D5 though.... happy hunting I know they do show up used from time to time. Happy fall to you as well : ) 

velocityofhue

Happy Fall!
I would like to add a B.A.T. VK-D5(se) Tube CD player to my System.
Nice room and system.

Happy Listening!

jafant

You are welcome!

By moving it away the sound quality improved instantly.

Absolutely not surprised, as I learned this a long time ago. Have fun!

milpai

Owner
Thanks Milpai It has been almost 20 years with these Thiel's and I've never auditioned a subwoofer. They closed up shop before I had enough time to buy a Thiel smartsub.  On the other hand a REL is very impressive to say the least / By the way I did have a big flatscreen in the corner behind a speaker so it wasn't as easy to put up a decent full room picture then. By moving it away the sound quality improved instantly.

velocityofhue

Nice simplistic system. Thanks for sharing the pics. You seem to be pumped up with the new subs. Have a great time with your music :-)

milpai

Owner
New 12 inch subwoofer integrated with high level Neutrik speakon connection. With 800w and hi-end driver features it's an absolute bargain with the sound quality and cabinet craftsmanship.

velocityofhue

Owner
Thank you Jafant ! Similar to you I've been experimenting with various different digital sources over the years. started out with a California Audio Labs 5 disc changer which I really wish I kept, RCD-1072 Rotel disc spinner and now with Panasonic DP-UB9000 that has balanced outputs on the back. Over all though the Ayre CX-7e still sounds the best.

velocityofhue

Owner
yes Jeff that's true, Before the clearaudio table with moving magnet cart I used a sota sapphire and SME 309 and moving coil. It sure was beautiful but lesser for what I prefer listening to with the Thiel cabinets.

velocityofhue

A beautiful and interesting combination System.
Happy Listening!

jafant

@velocityofhue 

I’ve always loved Thiel 2.4/2.7’s 
They are persnickety of electronics,  to get the high end in control

They really image 

Jeff

frozentundra

Owner
Coming soon milpai! Latest Compact Disc rotations are Emerson Lake and Palmer , Melvins, Animal Collective, The Black Crows.

velocityofhue

I am assuming that you still have the Thiel speakers? Would love to see the complete system.

milpai

Owner
Currently playing Beirut (the rip tide) Daft Punk (discovery) Boredoms (wow 2)

New tube preamp really opening up all the finer and more intricate details of each recording. Gone completely is any of the speaker hiss that was previously present with VK-3ix, Loving the mono switch for records and cd's with that available


velocityofhue

Owner
Hello everyone its been a while... I was wondering if anybody has tried to get finer volume adjustment from preamp when it seems too loud at the 1st step. With what I own on BAT it's the number 1, And seems like I could step it down some on the XLR lines? Not sure but looking for some helpful advice where the sound quality won't suffer

velocityofhue

Owner
Yes Tom and it still sounds amazing. Nothing lacking with my 8 yr old CS2.4 towers. I discovered a great combination of electronic and speaker. Hope they stay as high quality and heavy build in the future. How is your system coming along?

Thanks for checking in

velocityofhue

Are you still using the big BAT amp? Still happy with it?

tom_hankins

Owner
Just changed the room up since breaking in the MCS1's WOW what a fantastic little "Heavy" well built speaker. I recently found these at 1/2 off retail cost on amazon so keep your eyes peeled folks if your in the market. Now back to the special model that began my real audio bliss experience in 2005, It's the CS2.4 and I've now placed them on the side wall in basically what is an 8x8x8 triangle to the listening position. I am using radio shack wire bare wire and cannot believe that they have been here but not plugged in constantly playing music. Top to bottom a floor stander this properly executed in design will be all you ever need for all types of music. Things came together with the careful selection of source components of course : )

velocityofhue

Keep gawking!!! I have looked and listened all over, but have not heard any better in my own room.

My ultimate advice, keep it simple.

Kenny

kennythekey

Owner
System edited: I've gone purchase happy yet again when I saw the MCS1's on sale. before that i had to get a pair of the SCS4's for the movie/tv area. This is also where my starter electronics are that I seem to think rock just fine with a smaller speaker. Ideas for something to place MCS1's on would be greatly appreciated.

velocityofhue

Owner
Then you'd probably laugh if I told you it was mostly purchased since 2005. All are well tested pieces and mother approved with decent price tags. In fact in the mid nineties I was gawking at Thiel ads in sterophile magazines as a high school student.

Fortunately my current work has enabled me to assemble such a great system. Listening to music for me is only second best only to eating and family.

PS. I'd like to hike in the front range some day.

velocityofhue

Wow, I just saw your system picture and it makes me think we shopped in the same circles at the same time, more or less. I own a Sota Saphire, a SME 309, a BAT preamp, Thiel speakers, Cardas cable, and a maple rack with Mapleshade feet.

I have to ask, if you're from the Colorado Front Range? This equipment was popular in these parts back in the mid nineties.

kennythekey

Owner
Its been a while and system sounds amazing. In fact I've never focused so much on getting new music, A real joy to playback

velocityofhue

Owner
finally got the cd player sitting on heavyfeet and plugged in balanced. Sounds terrific! Turned on the record player for the first time in what seems like a year and really missed the richness that it can bring to listening.

velocityofhue

Owner
System edited: Currently breaking in new preamp

velocityofhue

Owner
just placed back into the system some cardas quadlink speaker cables to see how they would sound since I've had the big BAT in the mix and am enjoying the fuller midrange that the crescendo didnt seem to supply. It's only been a few days and i'm considering more of the same for interconnects but may get one of the so called models with a more leading edge as the designer claims. Somewhere I read that the golden reference XLR cable mates well with the Ayre cd player so it may be an option.

velocityofhue

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