Last weekend, I had one of my hi-fi mates over for some listening. He was interested to see how my Thiel CS 1.6 was faring in my system, as well as how it matched with the various amplifiers I had on hand.
For those of you know who are not familiar with the Thiel CS 1.6, it is the smallest floorstanding model in Thiel's range. As a matter of line up, it is actually the replacement of the CS 1.5. Ultra compact models like the 0.5 do not have a direct successor model.
A typical Thiel design, it is designed to be phase coherent as well as time aligned (provided you sit at least 8 feet from the speaker). It is a two way speaker, sporting all metal drive units. Unlike older Thiel models, the CS 1.6 uses in-house produced drivers. Instead of using a conventional rouind port, the CS 1.6 utilises a long thin slotted port in front.
Here are our observations of the day :-
1. Matched with Diva M7 preamp and Cayin A-88T
Sound is quite full with a very nice tube bloom. Bass is weighty but slightly rounded. Transparency is quite good and this combination can entertain for hours, especially if you are into vocal and jazz discs
2. Matched with Diva M7 preamp and Hypex UCD400
Extremely fast sound with much tighter grip over the bottom end. Extremely detailed top end and the resolution is just incredible. The tube bloom is still there with just a hint of sweetness. Hi-fi mate declared this at the end of the session as the best sound of the day.
3. Matched with Copland CTA-401 integrated tube amp
My ageing Copland is one of the first few quality kit that I could afford. Taking me almost a year to save up for, I keep my Copland more for sentimental reasons than anything else.
Paired with the excellent Electro Harmonix 6CA7 tubes, the Copland puts out about 35 watts per channel in ultralinear mode. This is slightly less than the 45-50 watts put out by the Cayin A-88T which is based on KT88 tubes.
The Copland is noticeably slower and rounder than the Cayin. The Copland is an old school type of tube amp in that it provides a very liquid and luscious presentation. The Cayin is much faster and neutral in its midrange and top end in comparison.
Matched with the Thiel, I felt that the overall combination was a little bit too slow and did not highlight the strengths of the CS 1.6 well. Some may like its very romantic and rose tinted view of the world, but its sweetness does not match well with faster paced music.
4. Matched with Kingrex T-20U integrated T-amp
Hi-fi mate had to suspend dis-belief for a moment. Absolutely shocked at the volume that was achievable with the limited power on tap, he though the sound was overall quite good, especially considering the price. Overall, the combination is quite pleasant to listen to but is obviously not as resolving or controlled as the other two combinations above.
Combination 2 was heard with both my new Acoustic Zen Hologram II speaker cables and my existing Goertz AG-1 pure silver speaker cables. It was almost like a night and day difference in presentation. He found the Goertz forward and quite forceful in the way it "projected sound" (in his words), compared to the very gentle and refined presentation of the Acoustic Zen. He prepared the Acoustic Zen's presentation.
For some entertainment, we also hooked up the Kingrex to an old pair of Proac Tablette 50s. Obviously not quite as detailed as the Thiel, the combination was quite very enjoyable. Always musical, the Proac entertained well with its PRAT and sharp imaging ability.
Sadly, the session was so much fun that it ended far too soon. You can be sure that another session will be arranged soon.
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