Description

Currently have Thiel CS 2.3s driven by Krell KAV-300iL with Audioquest CV-8 speaker cables.  Front end is Oppo BDP-103 used as transport, PS Audio Perfect Wave DAC and Bridge II, working on converting cds to NAS, running Roon and Tidal.  PS Audio UPC-200 for power, AC cord for Krell is an Audioquest NRG 3 with 20 amp plug, converted to IES with Black Voodoo converter.  Silnote Morpheus XLR cables.  Room is 11.5' x 22' x 8.5', no treatments yet.

Loving this system so far, have greatly enjoyed each improvement.  However, I am looking to improve highs which sometimes lack crystal clear clarity, especially when the music gets complex.  Also would like to improve the vocal/midranges, make these warmer and deeper.  What should my next upgrade be? I am thinking that a significant improvement is going to cost $2000-$3000, in the meantime I was going to try some DIY room treatments. 

Background - dove into two channel hifi at the beginning of 2018, goal was to put together a decent sounding system in a dedicated listening room using used, discounted, even vintage equipment, all for less than $5000.  Geoff Poor at Glenn Poor's Audio and Video in Champaign IL demonstrated the magic of time and phase aligned speakers and after some research I Ianded on the CS 2.3s.  I had been using my brother's old Maggies and had already purchased a Krell integrated amp for these along with Audioquest cables, also had an Oppo universal player from an old HT set-up, so that's where I started.

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Room Details

Dimensions: 22’ × 12’  Medium
Ceiling: 9’


Components Toggle details

    • Thiel Audio CS-2.3
    • PS Audio Perfect Wave DAC w/ Bridge II
    • Krell KAV-300iL
    • OPPO BDP-103
    Universal disc player
    • Audioquest CV-8
    Speaker cables
    • Silnote Audio Morpheus
    XLR Cables
    • Audioquest NRG-3
    AC Power cable for Krell KAV-300iL

Comments 12

This is a really good system you've compiled. 
You call it a budget system and for some this is true, but I'd definitely refer to it as an audiophile system. Congrats!

mjcmt

Nice system ! The amplifier may be clipping due to a ohm load sensitivity 87db.  My Thiel's didn't even begin to sing properly until I upgraded the Amplifier. Had a KAV-150a previously and wasn't hearing anything near to how good they were in the store demo room space.

velocityofhue

I’ve heard a system nearly identical to yours, which had me starting on the path to sonic bliss many years ago. My friend had tube pre-amp into his Krell amp and out to his Thiel’s. The tubes really gave it a warm holographic body that l fell in love with. I think the pairing of solid-state amps and tube pre-amps are magic. I’m no acoustic engineer but I’d bet a shag rug in your room might improve the SQ. Your system seems dialed in so now it’s all about tending to the details.

69zoso69

Nice room and system!  Happy Listening!

jafant

Owner
Thanks last_lemming - I started with the speakers further apart, but when I was researching how to improve room acoustics, I came across an article by cardas covering speaker placement, golden rectangles etc. I followed those directions and voila!  Instant improvement, one of the more dramatic improvements I have heard in my first year in this hobby.  They are about 6.5 feet apart, leaving 2.5 ft to the sidewall.  I sit about 7.5 feet away.  I think I have some serious room challenges so maybe that’s why it made such a huge difference.

thosb

Hello, I own 2.4’s. You need at least 8’ between the speakers and 8’ between you and the speakers. Point the speakers straight ahead as well this is as Jim THIEL designed them.

last_lemming

Owner
FR - actually, that's what I tried first and it didn't work as well, neither for sound nor for comfort.  If I had another 1-2 feet I think it would work beautifully.  So room treatments are a must, work in progress, but thanks!  1-2x per week I do scoot everything forward for more of a nearfield sound which is fun, but not conducive to anything else.

thosb

Osb;

Try flipping setup 180 degrees along long wall.
A buddy of mine did it & resulted in spectacular sound staging from closed in sound he had. Similar to your set up

I was dumbfounded how good it was & amount of difference

Your back might be on wall with speakers 30" from front wall, but

Easy to try

Jeff

frozentundra

Osb;

I just posted on your comment, previously.

Hashy highs , garbled, etc are room reflection per previous note.
Room is 50% of sound
All is imo.
 
My buddies got me to aim my speakers right at my ears
Clarity , soundstage improved
So, did amount of high energy aimed right at ears

Taming Thiel highs is a job, but when you got it right, it's very nice

Nice setup for 1 years and counting 

Jeff

frozentundra

Owner
Thanks for the kind comments and ideas!  amvm73 - I am putting room treatments on the asap list; I have a daughter studying design who might get a commission or two out of this.  Pierre, I appreciate the comments on the DAC as well, I honestly never did much in the way of listening tests for this component, just dove right in with PS Audio.

thosb

Very nice system. I am quite familiar with Krell 300 and Oppo 103 and indeed these are very "budget minded" good choices. You might want to try another DAC though. The PS audio perfeçt is actually quite dry in my opinion with not so much details. In the same price range I'd suggest you listen to McIntosh D100 or D150.
Last but noy least, your speakers are awesome. 

pierrehaas69

My goodness, what a lovely system, already! Your mention of slightly garbled highs suggest there are too many reflective surfaces in your listening area. That's been an ongoing challenge ever since my CF-4s and I moved from a large open plan house into a more confined condo.
I think some tasteful room treatments might be your most cost-effective route.
Best of luck!

amvm73

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