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This is a buyer’s market for vintage Threshold preamps, and the US$2,000 asking price on this FET TEN/HL is fair but not a bargain—it sits just under the 75th percentile (US$2,065) of 18 recent USD listings, well above the median of US$1,400. While not overpriced, it’s ambitious compared to the 25th percentile (US$1,150), where solid examples can still be found.
The FET TEN/HL is a revered high-level solid-state preamp known for its clean, transparent gain stage and wide bandwidth (1.5Hz–150kHz), often praised for major system upgrades when working properly. Its rarity and original Threshold pedigree make it a compelling buy at this price if the unit is fully functional and includes the original box or manual. Given the fair pricing, only flag concerns if there’s unverified condition or missing accessories—otherwise, this is a legitimate opportunity for a serious vintage collector.
Independent perspective — not a price guarantee. Always verify condition, accessories and provenance before purchase.
Threshold Audio emerged in Sacramento, California, in 1974, founded by renowned audio engineer Nelson Pass alongside graphic designer René Besne and Joe Sammut. Pass, a pioneer in amplifier design, launched the brand with the groundbreaking Threshold 800A power amplifier in 1975, introducing a novel sliding bias system that boosted Class A efficiency while employing 48 output transistors in a sophisticated triple-series/triple-parallel configuration. This California-rooted heritage defined Threshold as an innovator during its original run, which spanned until the mid-1990s, after which the intellectual property changed hands, including a 1994 acquisition by investor Randy Patton, who integrated it with PS Audio and relocated operations to Camarillo.
The brand focused squarely on high-end amplification, producing iconic power amplifiers like the 400A and 800A, the Stasis series renowned for their balanced Class A performance, and preamplifiers such as the NS10, SL10, and FET range including the FET-1, FET-2, FET-9, and FET-10. Later designs, like the T-200 by engineer Michael Bladelius, continued this legacy. Threshold eschewed speakers, turntables, DACs, headphones, or cables, concentrating instead on pure analog amplification that prioritized sonic purity and robustness.
Threshold holds a revered position as a vintage high-end icon, cherished by collectors and audiophiles for its enduring sound quality and Pass's technical wizardry. Once a market leader in premium solid-state gear from 1975 to 1992, it remains a sought-after name in the used market, embodying boutique excellence rather than mass production, with modern revivals under Threshold Audio sustaining its elite reputation.
See all Threshold listings on RADAR.
