I need infos about Threshold SA series (can't afford the XA-200 yet ;-) )

Thurax · 14th July 2004, 05:57 PM

Hello, I am offered a pair of SA-1 monos. They have VU-Meters, did all SA-1? I think SA-2 and 3 did not... Was it an option?
They must be 20 years old, can they be upgraded with new capacitors for important enhancement? Are there weaknesses or parts that die? I heard that the switches were sensitive? Are parts still possible to be found? Would I be better of buying a more recent amp like SA-4e or SA-6e?
Any info will be greatly appreciated! Best regards from Switzerland!

Nelson Pass · 15th July 2004, 12:52 AM

You will want to consider replacing all the electrolytic caps
in the supply and on the boards. None of the values are
critical - just get something similar with the same or greater
voltage rating.

There's lots of techs in Switzerland who like to drink beer. Find
one of them.

Thurax · 15th July 2004, 07:32 AM

Hello Nelson,
First, thanks for the superfast reply, and congrats for all of your work, and beautiful X series which I drewl about, but I guess that will be for later! I would love to have XA160 or 200 driven by a Shanling SCD-T200 player, the blue leds and design will get along quite well! But I do not have time to rob a bank right now, so back to my SA-1 questions:

I found one pair offered on an auction, and it seems fine. Are they the only ones with VU-meters, or was it an option?

You talked about replacing caps, I have not opend an SA-1 yet, and guess there are 4 big caps, are there a lot more caps to replace? All of them if I can? Idea of a rough cost of parts?

For approx the same price as the SA-1, I can here get an Aleph 0s, an SA/3.9 e or an SA/350 e... Which would be your choice between the 4?

Sorry to harrass you and thanks again!

PS I appreciate the fact you spend time answering all these questions of all of us hifi enthusiasts! It is rare that one takes so much time to follow up vintage products, I know lots of amp manufacturers that would not even bother answering! So Cheers to Mr. Pass, a big name in big amps!

PSII If you were here I'd send you a beer keg... I am more into pure malts myself ;-)

Nelson Pass · 18th July 2004, 07:23 PM

For the same price, I would pick the SA-1.

I forget how many supply caps, but you can find them around
and they're not that expensive.

14th July 2004, 05:57 PM	#1
Thurax diyAudio Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Geneva, Switzerland	I need infos about Threshold SA series (can't afford the XA-200 yet ;-) ) Hello, I am offered a pair of SA-1 monos. They have VU-Meters, did all SA-1? I think SA-2 and 3 did not... Was it an option? They must be 20 years old, can they be upgraded with new capacitors for important enhancement? Are there weaknesses or parts that die? I heard that the switches were sensitive? Are parts still possible to be found? Would I be better of buying a more recent amp like SA-4e or SA-6e? Any info will be greatly appreciated! Best regards from Switzerland!

15th July 2004, 07:32 AM	#3
Thurax diyAudio Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Geneva, Switzerland	Swiss thanks... Hello Nelson, First, thanks for the superfast reply, and congrats for all of your work, and beautiful X series which I drewl about, but I guess that will be for later! I would love to have XA160 or 200 driven by a Shanling SCD-T200 player, the blue leds and design will get along quite well! But I do not have time to rob a bank right now, so back to my SA-1 questions: I found one pair offered on an auction, and it seems fine. Are they the only ones with VU-meters, or was it an option? You talked about replacing caps, I have not opend an SA-1 yet, and guess there are 4 big caps, are there a lot more caps to replace? All of them if I can? Idea of a rough cost of parts? For approx the same price as the SA-1, I can here get an Aleph 0s, an SA/3.9 e or an SA/350 e... Which would be your choice between the 4? Sorry to harrass you and thanks again! PS I appreciate the fact you spend time answering all these questions of all of us hifi enthusiasts! It is rare that one takes so much time to follow up vintage products, I know lots of amp manufacturers that would not even bother answering! So Cheers to Mr. Pass, a big name in big amps! PSII If you were here I'd send you a beer keg... I am more into pure malts myself ;-)

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15th July 2004, 12:52 AM	#2
Nelson Pass The one and only Join Date: Mar 2001	You will want to consider replacing all the electrolytic caps in the supply and on the boards. None of the values are critical - just get something similar with the same or greater voltage rating. There's lots of techs in Switzerland who like to drink beer. Find one of them.

18th July 2004, 07:23 PM	#4
Nelson Pass The one and only Join Date: Mar 2001	For the same price, I would pick the SA-1. I forget how many supply caps, but you can find them around and they're not that expensive.

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