Not your typical amplifier question, more a Threshold trivia question. I have 2 pairs of SA/1 monoblocks, both black face wit the silver meters. A buddy of mine has a similar pair but just picked up a pair with black faces with black meters. They are the original meters as the amplifiers were purchased from the original owner AND they have a Threshold logo at the top. I have never seen Threshold black meters. Anyone know the history behind these? Was it a case of, "A few sitting around and we thought we'd use them" or was there an actual run of these with black meters?
Just curious!
Just curious!
they are looking cool ..... and certainly original, so - who cares ......
but, it's always fun seeing how detailed Papa's memory is
but, it's always fun seeing how detailed Papa's memory is
LOL! Exactly. I love the stories behind some of these oddities. I have a 400a with a 4000 faceplate on it. I got it from someone who got it from an original Threshold investor. It was not a bolt on job, it took some thought and work to do as nice of a job as it turned out. Even Mr. Pass couldn't figure out the story behind that one. I have enjoyed some of his recollections from back in the days of Threshold.
How did that ever come to be? It's kind of like putting a 6 cylinder engine in a 12 cylinder Ferrari.
Is it wrong that I find humor in any conversation that contains both "ex wife" and "bolt on job"? 😉
@ Eric M
I have heard that the SA1's with black meters were made of some very dangerous nuclear material.
Please send them to me, and I will dispose of them in a secure and environmentally friendly way!
😀
I have heard that the SA1's with black meters were made of some very dangerous nuclear material.
Please send them to me, and I will dispose of them in a secure and environmentally friendly way!
😀
Soo, he got the amps and both meters do not work. I have them here and was going to see what I can do. I don't have much info. but do remember from working on my S/1000, they are fragile.
-Amps work.
-I have voltage where the meter board connects to the output board at what I'm guessing is half power (I measured 7 to 9 volts).
-I have no voltage at the meters after measuring 7 to 9 volts at the output board connection point.
-Measure 36 ohms at the meter.
-Needle moves when pushed but seems to stay where ever it is pushed too.
-A quick shot of 1.5 volts DC pegs the meter.
I'm thinking the meter board has an issue. Odd that it's both boards. I have it out and will test components.
I'm also thinking the meters might need some work. I was going to send them to Instrument Meter Specialties since they did the repairs on my S/1000 meters.
Any advice would be helpful.
Thanks,
Eric
-Amps work.
-I have voltage where the meter board connects to the output board at what I'm guessing is half power (I measured 7 to 9 volts).
-I have no voltage at the meters after measuring 7 to 9 volts at the output board connection point.
-Measure 36 ohms at the meter.
-Needle moves when pushed but seems to stay where ever it is pushed too.
-A quick shot of 1.5 volts DC pegs the meter.
I'm thinking the meter board has an issue. Odd that it's both boards. I have it out and will test components.
I'm also thinking the meters might need some work. I was going to send them to Instrument Meter Specialties since they did the repairs on my S/1000 meters.
Any advice would be helpful.
Thanks,
Eric
Replaced 2 caps on the meter board. The meter moves, but it's very sticky. The issue seems to be the meter itself. I took the glass off and very carefully pushed the needle. It moves but stays where you pushed it too.
See YouTube video:
See YouTube video:
Unfortunately many of the meters made over the last 50 years simply have no mechanically fitting counterparts. This makes it a challenge to fit contemporary meters as replacements, analog meters having largely gone out of style.
That was about the same I heard from Jason at Instrument Meter Specialties. There is some "metal debris" on the meter coil magnet. I'm just not sure if this is the issue and how to clean it ... or if I should leave that to Jason.
Attachments
you can try with light breeze from hair dryer (set to cold), but really nothing stronger
non magnetic tweezers can help if you see something really big, or toothpick - to poke in airgap and clean it
if you feel scared ( no wonder) , send it to someone with stronger nerves and more mileage
Aliexpress is place to search for replacement, but even in that case count on some fine craftsmanship to accommodate new one
non magnetic tweezers can help if you see something really big, or toothpick - to poke in airgap and clean it
if you feel scared ( no wonder) , send it to someone with stronger nerves and more mileage
Aliexpress is place to search for replacement, but even in that case count on some fine craftsmanship to accommodate new one
Aliexpress? Really? I thought that was only for large quantities from abroad. I purchased something through them years ago. I never got it. Maybe just first time bad luck.
Do you think the debris around the coil in the picture could be causing the sticky needle?
Thanks,
Eric M.
Do you think the debris around the coil in the picture could be causing the sticky needle?
Thanks,
Eric M.
Did you get it moving again Eric?
When working properly (e.g. when the hamster isn't stuck in the wheel) just breathing at the needle will move it 1/3 to ½ way up (as in down) the scale.
When working properly (e.g. when the hamster isn't stuck in the wheel) just breathing at the needle will move it 1/3 to ½ way up (as in down) the scale.
We have new movements for the meters on order. I'll post up once I get them in .... hopefully with good news.
I think Modutec was the OEM manufacturer for the Stasis 1, S/1000 and SA/1
This is what I got with the meter at 0dB and 7.5 Ohms attached:
100 Watts continuously?
Don't know if Modutec still exists.
Black insert face:
I think Threshold Corp. Sacramento/Auburn was still small enough to order "anything" you wanted as a customer. Wernher Baden from the German importer WBS could get golden badges or limited edition badges on his imports if he requested.
He single-handedly made Threshold well known in Germany.
Did you get the metering issue solved?
Very special and beautiful SA/1's.
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Nelson Pass said it was Modutec Mustang Series
https://www.diyaudio.com/community/threads/threshold-sa-1-ac-voltage-and-meters.195207/#post-2683403
Warner Barden was also the first customer of Pass Labs. He single handedly put the company in the black the first year.
