Threshold SL10 or FET10e + FET10Pe combination for phono-centric setup

[Deleted member 316927]

Hi,

Currently have a Threshold SL10 preamp with the following updates:

• All electrolytic capacitors in the preamp module were changed for Elna Silmic II capacitors, considered among the very best for audio applications
• The resistors in the phono input section were changed to Vishay Dale metal film
• All RCA input jacks were replaced with gold plated copper units
• The volume potentiometer was replaced with an Alps BLUE
• All input/output wiring replaced with foamed teflon insulated Single Crystal continuous cast oxygen free copper wire
• The balance control was taken out of the circuit.
• Electrolytics in the power supply were replaced with high quality units of higher capacitance (this went up from 13,800 mF to 24,000 mF)
• The diodes in the power supply were replaced with ultra fast soft recovery hex fred
• The connecting cable between power supply and preamp was upgraded with higher AWG teflon insulated pure copper wire.
• The IEC connector was replaced with a gold plated copper unit.

The unit sounds excellent but this might be an opportunity to invest in a rare Threshold Fet10e + Fet10pe combination. I have not read about any comparisons between the SL10 and two-unit Fet10 combination.


Given the system is solely turntable based, can anyone given some direction on if it would be worth investing in a Threshold Fet10e line level + Fet10pe phono combination or would this be a lateral move rather than an upgrade.

Thanks for your help.

P.S.
Amp is a Threshold S/500 II
Cartridge is ZYX Airy 3 (0.34mv output)
Sound Lab A-3's

 

[rayma]

Can you try them out before buying? That's really the only way to know.
You're talking real money here, and the condition may not be documented.
Also depends on your own taste.

 

[elwood625]

I have the Threshold Fet10e + Fet10pe combination, never heard or saw an SL10, so I can't help with comparisons. I can tell you that both the HL and P have almost all of the "upgrades" that you did to the SL10.

• All electrolytic capacitors in the preamp module were changed for Elna Silmic II capacitors, considered among the very best for audio applications
• The resistors in the phono input section were changed to Vishay Dale metal film
• All RCA input jacks were replaced with gold plated copper units
• The volume potentiometer was replaced with an Alps BLUE
• All input/output wiring replaced with foamed teflon insulated Single Crystal continuous cast oxygen free copper wire
• The balance control was taken out of the circuit.
• Electrolytics in the power supply were replaced with high quality units of higher capacitance (this went up from 13,800 mF to 24,000 mF)
• The diodes in the power supply were replaced with ultra fast soft recovery hex fred
• The connecting cable between power supply and preamp was upgraded with higher AWG teflon insulated pure copper wire.
• The IEC connector was replaced with a gold plated copper unit.

• The only electrolytic capacitors in both units are in the power supply/voltage regulator sections, and are Elna Silmic. I replaced all of them at one time with the Elna Silmic II's. There is also one electroltic used for the relay.
• 90% of all resistors in both units are Vishay Dale (see pic)
• gold plated RCA's standard
• Input/output wiring is only 2" long in both units, the rest are gold traces on the fiberglass PCB's
• Balance control(s) are part of the FET10HL (see pic)
• Both use separate raw power supplies, I added on/off switches for both raw supplies.
• Diodes were replaced in raw supplies, can't remember exact type
• I use the factory connecting cables for both units.
• IEC was replaced with combination unit with fuse and on/off switch

What I really like about the FET10Pe is:
1 - Balanced XLR and single ended RCA outputs
2- 4 Load and 4 capacitance switches for each channel
3- Still neck and neck compared to my SALAS designed USFP
The FET10HL:
1 - Balanced XLR and single ended RCA's output. I've used both types with different amps, very versatile.
2- The preamp adds NOTHING to the sound quality, I like it better than my Balanced BA2018 preamp, my B1 Korg and my Balanced B1 Korg preamps.
3 - 20dB of gain

Not to mention, both were designed and manufactured while Nelson Pass owned Threshold.

I hope this helps with your decision to buy them both, you will never have "buyers remorse".

 

[Deleted member 316927]

Thanks for the responses and thank you Elwood625 for the detailed and informative description of your units. After some reflection and prior impressionable listening experiences, decided to stay with the SL10. Here are photos of the unit:

 

[rayma]

Amazing how like new it looks.

 

[Deleted member 316927]

A feather duster on the audio components just about every day if not every other day just about does the job adequately. Thank you