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Condition matters a lot here: no power supply makes this a parts-plus-restoration buy, but at US$700 it still lands well below the US$1,050 25th percentile and far under the US$1,400 median for recent comparable listings, so it reads as a strong deal rather than a risky ask. Against the usual range, it’s priced for someone who understands what the missing supply means and is willing to factor that cost in up front.
The upside is that these Threshold preamps are well regarded for a clean, musical, high-current presentation and a very substantial build, so a complete, healthy example can be a satisfying long-term piece. The main buyer check is practical: confirm the exact supply requirements, whether the right supply can be sourced, and whether the unit powers up cleanly once fed properly; if those boxes are ticked, this looks like a smart opportunity.
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.
