Which Threshold s are best?


Just wondering for those of you up on Thresholdif one were looking for a vintage piece which Threshold to look for?I assume one made while Mr.Pass ran the show.Thinking more than 100 maybe 150 to 300 a side.Also thoughts if any about the licence he gave Nakamichi to build their Stasis 100 and 200 wpc amps.Can they deliver on the cheap?Are there problem amps to avoid?
Thanks
chazzbo
chazzbo
I have a THRESHOLD SA/20M power without pre but unfortunatly I dont know anything about it. I would be pleased if you help me to find out the answer of some questions:
1-general information about it.
2-which pre is better to match with this power.
The Best Threshold amps designed are the SA Series amps.
These are Pure Class A Designs. And are the top designs of Nelson Pass.

Here are the top 3 Best Sounding and Quality made Threshold power amps. I have had every Threshold amp in the last 25 years.

1) Threshold SA/1 mono blocks with e mod in balance mode.Also love those Big Analog meters !

2)Threshold SA/4E stereo amp in balance mode.

3)Threshold SA/12E (as you know these amps) in balance mode.
I'll buy your Threshold SA/1's. I own a Threshold SA/4e and love it ! I prefer it over Nelson Pass's new stuff from Pass Labs. Had a Pass X350 and even tried the Pass XA100 and still prefer my Threshold SA/4e / But I am serious Mfslgoldcd, I will buy your Threshold SA/1's if willing to part with.
Lawyerman, I'm very interested in why you still prefer the older SA/4e amp. In what ways do you feel it's better than the newer Pass amp designs?
The Threshold SA/4e power amp is more refined than the newer Pass amps. I found has a better midrange and imaging than the PASS amps. The PASS X350 had more bass but the drawback was not as smooth , or natural in the mids as the Threshold SA/4e amp.

True the Threshold SA/4e is a pure class A sound verse the Pass X350 is Class A/AB sound.

Now when compared to the Pass XA100 amp I still prefered my Threshold SA/4e. Better dynamics and still smoother in the mids and top end with the Threshold SA/4e amp.

The XA100 had a slight edge in depth . It seems that the newer PASS amps emphasize more on bass- boom sound than being more dynamic and smooth. In my opinion the Threshold SA/4e is overll a better sound than the Pass X350 . And it's a matter of taste if you want more boom in your bass with the Pass XA100.

I also own a pair of Pass X600 amps which I use in anothe system. Again a lot of bass and depth but misses on the
Mids and TReble smoothness when compared to the Threshold SA/4e. I still like the Pass X600 amps for my application needing bass.

In summary the Threshold SA/4e is a finesse sounding amp. Very smooth, articulate and natural sounding. Still has plenty of power to drive just about any speaker out there even though it's a modest 100 watts pure class A sound. In fact when I had the Pass X350 verse the Threshold SA/4e listening levels were almost the same on my preamp.