Threshold T200?

$1400 is a bit high for a T200, IMHO. I'll bet you can knock at least $200 off the price. AgoN bluebook values are not always a very good measuring stick.

As for the new Threshold rebuilds, they change all the transistors from the IGBT's to regular bi-polars, and from reports that I've heard, also change the sound. Slightly more dynamic and transparent, but less rich and sweet I'm told. I can't confirm this, but those are the choices one faces.

Sonically, for <$1500, I don't think you can beat the sound of a T200 with a SS amp. The IGBT issue may be disconcerning, but they sure do sound fabulous.

Cheers,
John

Rumour has it that the original IGBT transitors were obsoloete, but, there are newwer, better ones avialable now. Should one need a replacement, a complete rebuild may (I suspect this is the case) or may not be necessary. This should keep the performance of the original more similar than a change to a duifferent transistor technology, it may even improve upon it. The issue might be moot, the IGBT's have a reputation for being pretty robust and reliable. I would guess the caps might need to be replaced long before the IGBT, which would probably be the case regardless of the output technology.

> IGBT transitors were obsolete

I find it hard to believe that in a world where vacuum tubes that haven't been in production for 50 years are still available on the NOS (new old stock) market that there will be any serious problem repairing the amp if that need arises.

I agree with John, offer them $1200.00.

Unsound, I agree that the caps normally go before the transistors. I haven't heard of any new IGBT's though. Jon Soderberg would know better than me though, I only mention it as a caution.

Mlsstl, yes NOS tubes are much more availible, mostly because Threshold invented/patented and are the only ones to use IGBT's (Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistors). It was a marriage of MOSFET's and Bi-Polar transistors, the best of both worlds, if you will.

They do sound incredible, possibly as good as you can get with a silicon chip. The reliability and replacement are the only issues.

Qualia8, I bought my T400 from a local friend for $1800 about 5 years ago. I sold it for $2000 about 3 years ago.
Is my current sound better? No. It may have been for awhile (this is all in our heads, remember?) I would say that I did spend many times (3X?) more money to get what I thought was better sound.

I did really love the T400, and truth be told, I probably never really upgraded at all. The sound changed.....change is not always an improvement though.........

Cheers,
John