jeremyjustic
Analog
Awesome man! you have any pics of that system???? I bet it sounds amazing!
the Threshold owners thread
- Thread starter jeremyjustic
- Start date
Awesome man! you have any pics of that system???? I bet it sounds amazing!
Freddymac2
Super Member
I know that I really have a unit of the Threshold quality by any means. I do have a mere 60 wpc Nakamichi SR 4a receiver with the Stassis circuit, and a MC and phono section from Nakamichi that totally changed the purity of the sound in my system. I don't think it sounds anything like any of the McIntosh or Marantz gear that I have had in my systems. It somehow drives my speakers with clarity that I have not heard before.
There is an old(er) interview on the Stereophile site with Nelson Pass and Thomas J. Norton that is worth reading:
http://www.stereophile.com/interviews/1191pass/
One thing I noticed about the interview (in fact, that's the headline) and Pass's overall design philosophy: he likes to keep the circuitry simple. That is also a characteristic of another company I admire: Conrad-Johnson. My C-J preamp only has one gain stage to it, and a short circuit path. (The preamp does have a microprocessor, but that is mainly for the electronic controls.)
One of Pass's designs for the DIY community was a single-transistor class A amplifier, made with minimal components. Can't get much simpler than that.
He also likes to find new ways to use existing electronic components, and doesn't go all in for the exotic capacitors and such. While writing briefly about refreshing the PA-7, for instance, he mentions:
Practical advice.
http://www.stereophile.com/interviews/1191pass/
One thing I noticed about the interview (in fact, that's the headline) and Pass's overall design philosophy: he likes to keep the circuitry simple. That is also a characteristic of another company I admire: Conrad-Johnson. My C-J preamp only has one gain stage to it, and a short circuit path. (The preamp does have a microprocessor, but that is mainly for the electronic controls.)
One of Pass's designs for the DIY community was a single-transistor class A amplifier, made with minimal components. Can't get much simpler than that.
He also likes to find new ways to use existing electronic components, and doesn't go all in for the exotic capacitors and such. While writing briefly about refreshing the PA-7, for instance, he mentions:If it's older than 15 years replace the power supply caps with ones
comparable to the originals. Panasonic or Nichicon is plenty good enough.
comparable to the originals. Panasonic or Nichicon is plenty good enough.
Practical advice.
Which is based upon his First Watt SIT-1 using custom fabricated static induction transistors originally developed for the military.
Click here for more info.
edwyun
Super Member
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edwyun
Super Member
mad shadows
Super Member
Edwyun - Aleph + Theshold I bet your system sounds sweet 
edwyun
Super Member
Edwyun - Aleph + Theshold I bet your system sounds sweet
The Alephs do add that touch of sweetness. Like tubes but different. But if I didnt have them, the Thresholds would do just fine.
mad shadows
Super Member
A friend of mine had both an Aleph 3 and a Threshold SA-3 at one time.
We did some comparative listening, Our verdict was that the SA-3 was more correct, but the aleph was just so sweet, warm and musical.
He ultimately went whit the SA-3. But we both agreed that the Aleph would be magic in the right system.
I guess your combo might be one of those magical mixes.
We did some comparative listening, Our verdict was that the SA-3 was more correct, but the aleph was just so sweet, warm and musical.
He ultimately went whit the SA-3. But we both agreed that the Aleph would be magic in the right system.
I guess your combo might be one of those magical mixes.
edwyun
Super Member
I agree with that assessment betweem the aleph and thresholds.
DaveThreshol
More Q's than A's.....
Great thread here! I just discovered it while searching for some Threshold gear. IMO, the best thing going in audio is pre-owned High-End, or as I call it, " USED!" LOLHere is my funny for the day. Have a real Nelson Pass day everybody!
S450e, (L) and an S-200, (R)
I don't own any Threshold gear yet, but I have numerous components that were designed or influenced by Nelson Pass, including the following:
- Usher R1.5 - an approved clone of the Threshold S300.
- Forte Model 2 preamp - Forte was Threshold's more budget- oriented line.
- Forte Model 3 amp - I have two of these.
- Adcom GFP-750 - Stereophile Class A rated preamp.
- Adcom GFA-535
- Adcom GFA-535 Mk II
- Adcom GFA-555Mk II - modified Nelson Pass design
- Nakamichi TA-3A receiver - licensed use of Threshold's Stasis circuit.
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DaveThreshol
More Q's than A's.....
Cool! I never heard of the Usher. It looks better than the new Chinese/Threshold amps, which start by having fewer transistors than the originals. 
I heard those RS-2B's years ago and was SHOCKED at how good they sounded. I bet by today's standards they would hold up with some of the best. Are you bi-amping with those amps?
I heard those RS-2B's years ago and was SHOCKED at how good they sounded. I bet by today's standards they would hold up with some of the best. Are you bi-amping with those amps?
At one time, I biamped the 2b's with a Forte Model 3 (200 wpc Class AB) on the woofers and a Forte Model 4 (60 wpc Class A) on the EMIMs and EMITs. This was a great combination, but the Model 4 really needs to be serviced, so I went back to a single stereo amp until I could afford to have Jon Soderburg give it a good going over. When the Usher came along at a competitive price, I just had to give it a try. So far, it has performed beautifully.
PPstereo
Super Member
Cool! I never heard of the Usher. It looks better than the new Chinese/Threshold amps, which start by having fewer transistors than the originals.
I've no idea myself, but I wonder if the newer china reproduction units use fewer output transistors because with the advancements made in transistor tech they simply dont need to use so many to achieve the same per spec results???
Again I dont know. And it could easily be China watering the product down.
Just interested if anyone here can weigh in on this?
Well I don't know anything about other Chinese-made copies of Threshold amps, but the Usher R1.5 is a BEAST. It has a massive transformer, 16 output devices per channel, is beautifully constructed inside and out, and weighs 88 pounds. Here's a link to a review of the R1.5 on TNT-Audio's website: https://www.tnt-audio.com/ampli/3_power_amps_e.html.
And a couple of photos:
And a couple of photos:
mad shadows
Super Member
My friend with the SA 3 now has a pair of Threshold SA 10. He uses them to drive a pair of big IMF studio monitors. I have never heard an amp dominate a pair speaker like the SA 10 does. The sound is just so smooth and effortless and the bass is just sublime.
tomlinmgt
Lunatic Member
A little late to the party here, but have enjoyed all the great info and commentary.
My intro to Threshold happened about eight years ago when I took an Aragon 8008 to my tech, Jon (AKer FootFungus) to have him look into a faint “buzz” coming from the chassis. The Aragon was an attempt to improve upon the best sounding powerhouse amp I had at the time, a Soundcraftsmen MA5002 (also had an Emotiva XPA-2 and Hafler 500). I was very impressed with the improvements I heard when moving to the Aragon from the Soundcraftsmen with my notoriously-difficult-to-drive Infinity QLS-1’s. I was already smitten with the Soundcraftsmen/QLS-1 pairing, and hearing further improvements with the Aragon opened my eyes to the capabilities of a more contemporary and deliberately hifi amplifier. Looking at the impressive inventory of big, modern amps (Krell, GAS, Levinson, Threshold, etc.) Jon had sitting around, I asked him if there was anything in his inventory that would be for sale around the same price point as the Aragon and that might be something worth trying out. He suggested a Threshold s/300 (freshly recapped and slightly modified) and let me take it home for an audition. It was love at first sight with that beautifully sculpted faceplate and all business heat-sinks, and if I’d had the cash on me I would’ve just given him payment for it right then and there. The audition didn’t disappoint. As a matter of fact, it was a revelation. Not to take anything away from the Aragon because it really did sound very, very good with the big Infinities. But the fact that the s/300 could improve upon the Aragon’s performance, and without having to spend significantly more money, pretty much instantly made me a Threshold fan boy. The more I learned about Threshold and the genius behind the designs, the greater my respect grew for the brand and N. Pass.
I think one of the most telling moments I had with the s/300 happened after I’d purchased a second s/300 so I could biamp the big Infinities. Imagine my surprise, and perhaps disappointment, when I heard virtually no change
between single and biamp configuration...a testament to the prowess and control the amp has over a very difficult load. The s/300 has kept me perfectly satisfied with a variety of speakers ever since and I have no need or desire to replace it.
A few years after I got the Threshold(s), I came across an opportunity to try a First Watt F5 clone. At the time I’d been head over heels in love with my Altec 19’s powered by both a Tube Audio Designs TAD-60 biased to class A triode and also a pair of modified Golden Tube Audio 300B SET monoblocks. Once again, a Pass design came along and improved upon greatness and with outstanding bang for the buck. Still have that one, too and am now giving the amp camp monoblocks serious consideration after recently experiencing a pair .
My intro to Threshold happened about eight years ago when I took an Aragon 8008 to my tech, Jon (AKer FootFungus) to have him look into a faint “buzz” coming from the chassis. The Aragon was an attempt to improve upon the best sounding powerhouse amp I had at the time, a Soundcraftsmen MA5002 (also had an Emotiva XPA-2 and Hafler 500). I was very impressed with the improvements I heard when moving to the Aragon from the Soundcraftsmen with my notoriously-difficult-to-drive Infinity QLS-1’s. I was already smitten with the Soundcraftsmen/QLS-1 pairing, and hearing further improvements with the Aragon opened my eyes to the capabilities of a more contemporary and deliberately hifi amplifier. Looking at the impressive inventory of big, modern amps (Krell, GAS, Levinson, Threshold, etc.) Jon had sitting around, I asked him if there was anything in his inventory that would be for sale around the same price point as the Aragon and that might be something worth trying out. He suggested a Threshold s/300 (freshly recapped and slightly modified) and let me take it home for an audition. It was love at first sight with that beautifully sculpted faceplate and all business heat-sinks, and if I’d had the cash on me I would’ve just given him payment for it right then and there. The audition didn’t disappoint. As a matter of fact, it was a revelation. Not to take anything away from the Aragon because it really did sound very, very good with the big Infinities. But the fact that the s/300 could improve upon the Aragon’s performance, and without having to spend significantly more money, pretty much instantly made me a Threshold fan boy. The more I learned about Threshold and the genius behind the designs, the greater my respect grew for the brand and N. Pass.
I think one of the most telling moments I had with the s/300 happened after I’d purchased a second s/300 so I could biamp the big Infinities. Imagine my surprise, and perhaps disappointment, when I heard virtually no change
between single and biamp configuration...a testament to the prowess and control the amp has over a very difficult load. The s/300 has kept me perfectly satisfied with a variety of speakers ever since and I have no need or desire to replace it.
A few years after I got the Threshold(s), I came across an opportunity to try a First Watt F5 clone. At the time I’d been head over heels in love with my Altec 19’s powered by both a Tube Audio Designs TAD-60 biased to class A triode and also a pair of modified Golden Tube Audio 300B SET monoblocks. Once again, a Pass design came along and improved upon greatness and with outstanding bang for the buck. Still have that one, too and am now giving the amp camp monoblocks serious consideration after recently experiencing a pair .
I find myself accumulating many components designed by, based on designs by, or licensed by Nelson Pass. When I told him this recently he laughed and apologized, but there are many things about his design approaches that appeal to me. Since I can't afford Pass Labs gear, I've stayed with vintage gear. Each has its own character, as one might imagine.
Adcom GFA 555II
Adcom GFP-750
Adcom GFA-585 Limited Edition
Threshold FET Ten/HL
Threshold FET Ten/PC
Forte Model 4 amp
Forte Model 2 preamp
Nakamichi PA-7II
DIY ACP line/headphone preamp
H2 Generator
Adcom GFA 555II
Adcom GFP-750
Adcom GFA-585 Limited Edition
Threshold FET Ten/HL
Threshold FET Ten/PC
Forte Model 4 amp
Forte Model 2 preamp
Nakamichi PA-7II
DIY ACP line/headphone preamp
H2 Generator
mysticeyes
New Member
The only Threshold product I've used is the great FET ten/e preamp; for the past 24 years I've enjoyed running it into a Krell power amp and Martin Logan speakers.
Oh, and a Nelson Pass-related item, a Nakamichi TA-4A receiver, inherited from my dad, that I'll never part with, but it will require a look under the hood to see what's wrong with it....
Oh, and a Nelson Pass-related item, a Nakamichi TA-4A receiver, inherited from my dad, that I'll never part with, but it will require a look under the hood to see what's wrong with it....