2. amps-preamps
  3. 169526-165609

Threshold T-200. Help me choose a preamplifier

Good day, Colleagues!
Not so long ago, at an auction in Japan, I accidentally won the Threshold T-200 amplifier. I really wanted this brand, but I was looking for the T-800D model. But it turned out to buy this amplifier ... And now I am very tormented with the choice.
I spent two days on the internet looking for balanced amplifiers. Here is a list, is there anything on this list worth seeing?
Pass Labs X1 - 
This preamplifier is sold in Russia at a very good price, it seems to me. 1800 dollars. But I do not know his condition. The photographs show that the cable that connects the power supply and the preamplifier itself is frayed. And the power supply is not complete, but a small black box.
Pass Labs X2.5 - I found this preamp for 2000 euros in Croatia, but shipping will cost around 500 euros, so it is already very expensive for me. 
Black Ice F-360 - A very interesting preamplifier. The ad suggests that this preamp has very high detail and can expand the scene. :) But I don't believe in advertisements.
Leema Acoustics Pyxis ll -  This amplifier is quite expensive, I found it in my country for $ 2500 and this is a showcase sample. It has an impressive range of features, there is a phono stage, which I also need, and balanced inputs and outputs.
Electrocompaniet ec 4.7
Electrocompaniet EC 4.8
Krell KSL-2
Audia Flight Pre
Quad Artera Pre
Rotel RC-5000
Audio research LS-15
audio research LS-2B
Spectron Model 10
Audio research LS 17
BAT VK-30
McIntosh C2200 - But this is already very dear to me.

I really look forward to your help and advice in choosing.

vetusto
unsound
7,318 posts
 
@vetuso. What I posted, is that the “balanced” output of the Pass would not be good with the “balanced” inputs of the Threshold. And, that the balanced circuitry was part of the expense of the Pass. As has been pointed, out while a pre with a suitably low balanced output impedance could work nicely, such beasts are rare. You might be better off finding a single ended only pre. While transistor output devices have become rather rugged for 50 years now, should your somewhat old Threshold’s somewhat unusual IGBT devices fail, you might have a Dickens of a time finding replacement parts. You might have to scrap the amp, or do a total rebuild with different transistors. As it is, if not already done so, the caps will be soon due for replacement.
laaudionut
249 posts
 
The OP appears dead set on a Pass Labs preamp, despite many suggesting otherwise for a multitude of reasons. Allow him to learn first hand as we have all have(unfortunately) done in our individual pursuit of audio nirvana.
vetusto OP
46 posts
 
The OP

sorry for the stupid question, what is "OP"? How does this abbreviation stand for? :)
unsound
7,318 posts
 
@vetusto, No need to apologize. Stupid would be not asking, when doing so would provide the answer.
OP = original poster: you.
vetusto OP
46 posts
 
@unsound , O!! thanks!!! now I understand the phrase of the respected Laaudionut.)))

@laaudionut, forgive me if I may sound harsh, I don’t know much English. ))
I’m not obsessed with the Pass Labs brand. I’m fixated on the balanced amplifier inputs. I had a Hegel amplifier a long time ago, and it sounded better through the balanced inputs. I checked. not much better, but better.
understand correctly, I have only 2000 dollars ... :)) In Russia there is a saying: eat a fish and not choke on a bone.)) So I want a preamplifier with a balanced sound output circuit, and not exceed my budget. ))

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