experience with Threshold SA/2e or S/500 amps?


does anybody have experience with the older threshold sa/2e monoblocks or S/500 stereo amp? either owning the amps or in comparisions to new amps like: classe, mcintosh, pass labs? i will be using them to drive a pair of Totem Mani 2's. The SA/2e's are rated at 100 watts class A which might be a little low on power for the mani's. I have never owned a pure class A amp and maybe these amps have the necessary erserve power for the mani's. the s/500 would have enough power but they are a class a/b amp. i'm looking for an amp that are warm sounding with enough power to control the mani's. any thoughts?
rbstehno

Showing 1 response by snicholl

I have used many amps to run my Infinity Renaissance 90's both class A and A/AB. Currently I have a Threshold S500 II as my primary amp for these speakers. Prior to aquiring this I was using a Threshold 400A 100w/ch class A.

Infinity's have a reputation for providing a challenging load and mine are no exception dipping to 2ohms with the watkins woofer. The S500 has added significant depth and control to the bass with only a minor compromise in the 'Air' and space of the sounds image. This though is likely due to the fact that I have not yet updated the capacitors. I believe the Stasis 2 is the same design as the S500 only biased to run in class A mode. Likely minor power supply differences. If you like the imagining and detail of the class A better, the Stasis 2 can be upgraded at the power capacitors, I know of one that now runs 240,000uF with 4x60,000uF capacitors from the original 4x29,000uF. This will beef up the bass tremendously and I am likely to do the same with my S500 as this two can be installed.

The current capability of the Stasis is unbelievable and should not have issue with your speakers when updated.

check the thread at DIY http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=94114&highlight=stasis+3
for a discussion about this.