Of course things are evolving thus resulting in change, this is the way.
Owned and sold a McIntosh (MA6200) integrated back in the 80s, missed the performance ever since. Decided to get serious about the hobby again and started planning a system based around McIntosh separates, tube preamp and most likely SS amp. Figured out the C22 Mk V was a good fit with a MC312.
Came across a set of Thiel CS3.6 close by for what I thought was good a price. Did some digging around the web for info and found lots of data including the Thiel owners page. Also chatted with a good friend who knew the brand. Word was great speakers with excellent precision and imaging. Made an appointment to audition the speakers, SOLD, paid the nice chap and took ‘em home. Speakers have the gloss black laminate exterior
Hooked up my Anthem based set up and wow, folks weren’t kidding how concise the speakers perform. Poor recordings or engineering were obvious, Donald Fagen’s (Nightfly & Morph the Cat) attention to detail was up front and clean. Heard things in the music I don't remember hearing before.
More readings on the cs3.6 and I decided the new system would merit a MC462 amp, it was a good choice. Would have loved to get some new MC611s but reason intervened as the law of diminishing returns came to mind. I did audition new speakers prior to buying the 3.6s, Wilson, B&W 802 D3, Sonus Faber Olypica Nova V, Dynaudio Contour 60i & 30i, etc. I felt the 3.6s held their own with the previous speakers I had auditioned.
With the planned system in mind I was guessing speakers to measure up would run in the $15-30K range. Interesting how speaker purchasing is so personal and subjective to the listener. In this case I built from speakers, to amp and pre, then to source, it worked out well for my tastes.
Upgrades to Thiel CS3.6s, rebuilt mids by Coherent Source Service installed. Not much difference from the original mids, somewhat tighter. Tweeters will be next for a rebuild from CSS. I rotating a pair of Thiel CS2.3s in from time to time, but have since sold those to a friend.
Auditioning DACs, testing with a mix of units and interconnects. Have a Bryston BDA2 in the mix right now, precise and sometimes bright with some classical and strong higher octave vocals. Yamaha CD-S2100 DAC works better for some of those bright recordings. I have figured out that digital interconnects help the un-edge and a decent copper cabled coax has relaxed some brightness as well. Still watching DACs and trying to stay with built in the US as if an issue, shipping costs are silly expensive, which ruled out Aqua as I'm not interested in shipping to Italia for a fix.
I have a feeling that I'm going to end up with multiple DACs for different types of music...
Working with a Roon Rock server (NUC 11-i7) in the network for better system
management. The up system hooked right up, (Antem TLP1 & MCA20, CXNv2, & Polk LSiM705s). I was hesitant with the BDP-2 for
streaming as I wasn't interested in Manic Moose or other platforms for
management, bought an Intel Nuc and solved that 1st world problem.
Hope you enjoyed the short story and more so enjoy your listening.
Cheers, Brett.
