triceratops Posted August 16, 2003 Share Posted August 16, 2003 I realize this is not the most desirable piece of equipment, but I have an opportunity to buy a mid-1980's Threshold FET-1 preamp very inexpensively. Since I don't have a discrete preamp (all my amps are low budget integrateds) I thought it might be worthwhile to have this thing kicking around--just in case I come up with a power amp one of these days and want to run a turntable through it. Does anyone have expeience with thee units? I think they were well thought of in their day even thought that was a while ago. My speakers are 1960 Klipschorns, 1977 Belles, and 1986 KG-4s. I listen primarily to jazz and eclectic world music with a Sony midline ES CD player and an old B&O turntable. Lots of weak links in the chain... I would appreciate any observations, opinions, etc. Best in horns, triceratops Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jt1stcav Posted August 17, 2003 Share Posted August 17, 2003 As far as I know, both Threshold and Counterpoint were highly regarded in their day, and since you're listening to vintage horns, either should do just fine as your preamp. For $100, you can't go wrong, so try it out. If you don't care for it, you can still sell it on AudiogoN or eBay and possibly make a profit to boot! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
triceratops Posted August 17, 2003 Author Share Posted August 17, 2003 Thanks, Jim That's what I was thinking too. My usual strategy is if I come across an interesting piece of equipment at a good price I'll buy it and try it. To appreciate the pros and cons of a piece of gear it helps me to actually listen to it in my home over a few months or so... Best in horns, triceratops Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deang Posted August 17, 2003 Share Posted August 17, 2003 I would say at that price you would be crazy not to jump on it. The old Threshold stuff is great -- and would definitely help out the sound from your system. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jt1stcav Posted August 17, 2003 Share Posted August 17, 2003 Agreed. If I wasn't laid off from my previous employment, I was in the market for several preamps from both Threshold and Counterpoint (sorry, can't recall their models anymore), and a tube preamp from Audio Research as well...all were excellent buys! If Dean swears that this Threshold is a good deal, then what are you waiting for? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
khorn58 Posted August 17, 2003 Share Posted August 17, 2003 My mid-1980's Threshold FET-2 preamp Is a great sounding preamp with real nice Phono stage. It even makes a Phase Linear 700 sound good ( a hard thing to do with khorns) I belive the FET -2 was the model below the FET-1t and cost close 2 grand back then . The Music Box In Wellesley Mass( A highly regarded orig Klipsch Delear now closed) swore by Threshold with klipschorns back in the 80,s. They sold a lot ofTthreshold and klipsch together. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
triceratops Posted August 19, 2003 Author Share Posted August 19, 2003 Hey Jim, Dean, and khorn58, Thanks for your respective insights and encouragement. I bought the Threshold preamp Sunday and hooked it up for a test run Monday night. It works and sounds great! Now I need to upgrade everything else... It was a really cool deal, the seller had the manual and promo literature but no box. He didn't have it hooked up but said I could return it if I wasn't happy with the performance. The thing is in pristine shape, not a scratch! It is a Threshold FET1 Series II, which (believe it or not) retailed for $2200 in the mid-eighties. The seller had some other pretty cool stuff for sale, so I just bought everything. It was all nice stuff and the prices were real cheap, so I figured I could always get my money back. I also bought a Nakamichi RX-505 cassette deck, a Revox B-226 Signature CD player with remote, and a pair of ADS M-12 speakers. I think I'll definitely keep the Nak and the Threshold preamp. We'll see about the other stuff. Thanks to all. Best in horns, triceratops Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.