How does the Threshold sound when compared with the Nak PA-7 Mk I and the Aleph 2 amps?
There's a Threshold T200 "upgraded to Stasis 7" and a PA-7 Mk I on sale nearby, I could drive and pick one up...
Yes, and no, I'm not gonna build a Stasis Amp, it's simply way out of my league... I'm just curious about how they sound 'cause I've never heard one.
There's a Threshold T200 "upgraded to Stasis 7" and a PA-7 Mk I on sale nearby, I could drive and pick one up...
Yes, and no, I'm not gonna build a Stasis Amp, it's simply way out of my league... I'm just curious about how they sound 'cause I've never heard one.
I have the Threshold S/500 (well kind of) and have built the Aleph 2's for a friend. I got to play with the Alephs for about a month before tossing them over the fence to him. The Aleph's have a beautiful sort of dark sound with mid range texture to it. They don't sparkle but they are a force in the vocal regions at times. Full and big soundstage. Not the most detailed but rich and just lovely. The bass is loose and kind of wooly at times but it seems to work with the whole sound of the amplifiers.
The Threshold is not as big sounding but has a beautiful tube like sound to it. It images well and is rich in it's own way. It doesn't have the Aleph's mid range texture. It sounds vintage by comparison which is fair because that is what it is... Some songs just grab you with the Threshold.
I still have the Threshold as it is my first big SS amp. It won't be going anywhere... It sits in the background and I pull it out every once in a while but I have since moved onto the Pass X .5 and .8 series amps which bring their own character to the arena. But when I plug the old threshold in, it is a very welcomed experience. It just does something very cool. Mine has been modified to have the upgrades in this thread and also has been converted to class A. Both of which were a nice move forward.
Having heard all of these great amplifiers, a wonderful little amp to try is the F5m. I built one of those for my dad and will be building one for myself very soon.
The Threshold is not as big sounding but has a beautiful tube like sound to it. It images well and is rich in it's own way. It doesn't have the Aleph's mid range texture. It sounds vintage by comparison which is fair because that is what it is... Some songs just grab you with the Threshold.
I still have the Threshold as it is my first big SS amp. It won't be going anywhere... It sits in the background and I pull it out every once in a while but I have since moved onto the Pass X .5 and .8 series amps which bring their own character to the arena. But when I plug the old threshold in, it is a very welcomed experience. It just does something very cool. Mine has been modified to have the upgrades in this thread and also has been converted to class A. Both of which were a nice move forward.
Having heard all of these great amplifiers, a wonderful little amp to try is the F5m. I built one of those for my dad and will be building one for myself very soon.
I like power. I need power. The Maggies 1.7 seem to be made for the A2s. The smaller Maggies (12) also do great with the A5s... There is something about Maggies and Alephs that clicks together in a way I've never heard anything else.
(OK, the Plasmatronic/Quad combo was beyond superb, it was convincing ).
I got some dynamic English speakers that love the CJ/F4 combo and now the BA3/bridged F4 sound... The F5 is very good and so is the Sissy SIT but shy of power. The 252SIT sort of leapt ahead but was unreliable with the English Speakers that needed power.. I got a bunch of smaller amps as well, and bigger ones too, and so on. The purpose of the bridged F4s is to drive the Maggies... but for the time being I'm having a blast with them driving the English Speakers...
Note: I reserve the right to change my mind when I swap amps and speakers... one of these days... I promise.
I do have an ARC D70-II with Svetlanas 6550, and I keep thinking I should spring for a VT100 or Ref 110. KT120 mod's. Maybe KT150s. Used, of course. The 60 wpc D70 drives 90 db/w speakers superbly. Sort of like the A5s but with better midrange and less control of the bass. I think the simplicity shines through.
But I don't have a STASIS amp and, to be honest, I'm not going to buy the X.5 or X.8. I will put the money on the Keel and Ekos SE but I can not justify the X amps. Sorry. And, the sheer complexity of those amps, in terms of output devices... hmm... sort of scary.
I guess it's not just the amp, but the amp and speakers.... It sounds from what you write that I would not be happy with the stock Threshold or Nak Stasis amps. Seems like they would have to be modified....
What kind of speakers are your driving with your X amps? The X amps or XA amps?
Sorry I I hijacked the thread.
(OK, the Plasmatronic/Quad combo was beyond superb, it was convincing ).
I got some dynamic English speakers that love the CJ/F4 combo and now the BA3/bridged F4 sound... The F5 is very good and so is the Sissy SIT but shy of power. The 252SIT sort of leapt ahead but was unreliable with the English Speakers that needed power.. I got a bunch of smaller amps as well, and bigger ones too, and so on. The purpose of the bridged F4s is to drive the Maggies... but for the time being I'm having a blast with them driving the English Speakers...
Note: I reserve the right to change my mind when I swap amps and speakers... one of these days... I promise.
I do have an ARC D70-II with Svetlanas 6550, and I keep thinking I should spring for a VT100 or Ref 110. KT120 mod's. Maybe KT150s. Used, of course. The 60 wpc D70 drives 90 db/w speakers superbly. Sort of like the A5s but with better midrange and less control of the bass. I think the simplicity shines through.
But I don't have a STASIS amp and, to be honest, I'm not going to buy the X.5 or X.8. I will put the money on the Keel and Ekos SE but I can not justify the X amps. Sorry. And, the sheer complexity of those amps, in terms of output devices... hmm... sort of scary.
I guess it's not just the amp, but the amp and speakers.... It sounds from what you write that I would not be happy with the stock Threshold or Nak Stasis amps. Seems like they would have to be modified....
What kind of speakers are your driving with your X amps? The X amps or XA amps?
Sorry I I hijacked the thread.
Then you may have a hard time getting the sound you are hunting for. I think they would be the ticket... The X amps are much less complex than they look and are probably one of the most reliable amplifiers out there... Both have much more in the way of control than the Aleph. The .5 being a bit sweeter, the .8 more emphasis on detail, texture but darker and less sweet. Pick your poison... All are sublime.
I am driving a pair of Bordeaux speakers that I build about 6 or so years ago. I have had a lot of speakers come and go. But like how you have a irrational relationship with your Maggies, the Bordeaux have not fallen from their thrown. They are opened backed so do the whole spacious thing.
Feel free to shoot me a PM if you want to stay off of topic. 🙂
If you want to do TO3s then use a PCB and aluminum plate to do it right. There are gerbers and CAD for the TO3s. See Posts 1126-1135.
Thank you. Didn’t you say that you did TO3 version? I have about 200 trannies TO3 that are all same lot code. Would like to get some use out of them
It got sidetracked. The channel that I built works fantastic on the bench, I need to build the PSU and get all the chassis stuff together. It’s going to make a fantastic amp.
Understand. Flying for a living puts a damp on being stationary enough to play with amps. Probable an understatement that it’s going to make a fantastic amp, but I guess when we are spoiled by papa gifts that’s what happens.
I just drool from a distance with this one, in the same way I drool over the ScaleWings SW51 Mustang.
I just drool from a distance with this one, in the same way I drool over the ScaleWings SW51 Mustang.
Attachments
Well that's a fascinating kit.. Curious what type of engine is typically used.
I know this is off topic, but I got to hear two versions of full size P-51s at an airshow in Oregon many years ago. One was a pylon racer and the other was a lovingly restored WWII vintage aircraft. Two Rolls-Royce Merlin engines running side by side were an awesome sound.
I know this is off topic, but I got to hear two versions of full size P-51s at an airshow in Oregon many years ago. One was a pylon racer and the other was a lovingly restored WWII vintage aircraft. Two Rolls-Royce Merlin engines running side by side were an awesome sound.
Oh boy! That sounds awesome! According to the website it says rotax 916. Agree of topic, if anything we can move it to the pass pub!
The days of Reno Unlimited class!
As a kid I've seen many a parade of Spitfires, Hurricanes and P51s but it wasn't until visiting Reno that I full appreciated the sound of a Merlin at full throttle, but my personal fave is the Sea Fury & Bristol Centaurus.
👍
As a kid I've seen many a parade of Spitfires, Hurricanes and P51s but it wasn't until visiting Reno that I full appreciated the sound of a Merlin at full throttle, but my personal fave is the Sea Fury & Bristol Centaurus.
👍
I think Jim trained as a kamikaze pilot at first but flunked out of school.
Something about insisting on wearing a parachute. 🪂🛩️
Something about insisting on wearing a parachute. 🪂🛩️
There happens to be a Sea Fury right across from Pass Labs. Cyclotron guy knows the plane rather well.
I also know that the owner has a rather nice stereo system.
I also know that the owner has a rather nice stereo system.
I am currently in the process of restoring a Threshold s 150 mk2 power amp which is not up to spec (but somehow still sounds great). I am now fighting with bias - up at 220mv it is far away temp. wise from the specified value.
I was thinking if a new front end would make sense before i start troubleshooting the old one. Is there an audiable improvement with the new front end? I plan on doing a few more mods to the amp, so the effort would be negligeable considering I will have to take it all appart at some point.
Anybody has a couple of spare boards ro sell, or can offer advice regarding getting them made in the EU, or even better in Germany?
I was thinking if a new front end would make sense before i start troubleshooting the old one. Is there an audiable improvement with the new front end? I plan on doing a few more mods to the amp, so the effort would be negligeable considering I will have to take it all appart at some point.
Anybody has a couple of spare boards ro sell, or can offer advice regarding getting them made in the EU, or even better in Germany?
I think I have a few of the new boards and I certainly some of NP replacement boards, if you are interested. I'm in the UK, so Brexit🙁 applies.
I'm on holiday atm, back to the UK on the 14th April.
I'm on holiday atm, back to the UK on the 14th April.