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Offered is „SL 10“ by Threshold as second-hand device from the category „Transistor-Preamp“ on audio-markt.de - the online market place for high-end. The advert with the number 8330483934 ends on 21.11.2026 at 15:00 o'clock.
Strong deal: at €1,249, this sits below the €1,355 25th percentile and well under the €1,460 median, so it looks attractively priced rather than merely fair.
The SL-10 is a well-regarded Nelson Pass-era preamp with a serious phono stage and a reputation for low noise, strong drive, and an especially musical presentation, which is why these still command real money. At this level, a clean, good-condition example is the kind of vintage buy that makes sense if it’s complete and functioning properly; the upside is getting a classic high-end piece for less than most recent comparables without needing to wait for a rarer bargain.
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.
