2. amps-preamps
  3. 1088089533

Threshold S/5000e new amp too good to be true???

I've just read the Soundstage review of this amp and it's too good to be true for it's $2500 brand new price. It was compared to solid-state amplifiers in the $5000 price range, including Aragon Palladium monoblocks, a Simaudio Moon W-5, a Plinius SA-100 Mk 3, Gamut D200 Mk 1 and Mk 2 amps, and an Ayre V-5x. If this amp is up to this big amps costing 2 to 3 times, how come I don't hear or read people raving about it?
Here is the link to the Soundstage review. http://www.soundstage.com/revequip/threshold_s5000e.htm
royy
loudandclear
79 posts
 
It's possible that the Threshold runs hot because of a high class-A bias. having said that, then *maybe* it should have larger heat sinks. Theshold has a history of producing class-a amps.

The Bryston has a relatively low class-A bias (less than one watt?) so it's not going to run too hot, even with smaller heat sinks.
ozfly
887 posts
 
Good points Loudandclear. Still ... the weight difference makes you wonder. Certainly class A runs hotter, but 250 wpc in class A would require a pretty hefty power supply, wouldn't it? At minimum, as you stated, it should require even more in heat sinks. Like Rockvirgo, I'm still scratching my head about the weight.
loudandclear
79 posts
 
Ozfly,

I checked with Threshold and the S5000/e has 45 watts per channel of Class-A before it switches to Class-B.

45wpc of class-A is very high bias for most class A/B amps.
That's why it runs so HOT.
You gotta wonder if there is enough heat sinking there.
loudandclear
79 posts
 
Anyone have a listen to this amplifier yet?
loudandclear
79 posts
 
*bump*

Someone must have heard thsi amp by now. No?
More to discover