I noticed no one has posted in a while and wanted to add my 2 cents.

I bought my T3i quite a while ago - maybe 8+ years and have never had a desire to change it.

I auditioned a few others (don't recall them now), but this was the clear winner for me.

Class A in a power amp can run hot and use a lot of electricity, but seems a great solution in a preamp.

I've been using the RCA jacks, but will experiment with XLR between preamp and amp just for fun. I also had John Soderburg put new caps in the power supply about a year ago, but can't say I noticed a huge difference

In short it just sounds clean and musical and has the benefit of having a full function remote as well.

Rega P25
Shelter 501
Acoustic Phono Pre
Oppo CD / DVD
Yamaha T2
PS Audio HCA
Audience Interconnects
Kimber Speaker Cables
Proac 1.5's
REL Q150

Transparency 3D Soundstage Lot of details

Nothing for the price

I got the T3i model with the larger power supply. I think my quest for a preamp ends here, all i needed is here : transparency, soundstage, 3 outputs, balanced in/out, processor passthrough, remote... A real bargain, even now compared with recent components.

Similar Products Used:

Levinson 38S, Bel canto, ARC.

Soundstage and transparency are huge.

None that I can hear.

I am a relative newby to the high-end audio experience having spent only $5k for my first system which included a SimAudio I-5 Integrated, a California Audiolab CD Player, Myryad Tuner and Canton RCL speakers. I was in audio bliss for about 6 months and then got the wretched disease that affects all up and coming audioheads - the need to hear something different (without spending much money in my case.) I bought a 20 year old Counterpoint SA-12 amp to use as a power amp using the pre-outs on the Sim Integrated, just to hear if it would make a difference. I shelled out $325 for the Counterpoint, expecting it to sound like crap with the Sim. There is only a 10 wpc difference between the two. Much to my surprise, the Counterpoint added a whole new dimension to my system - the sound was much more powerful and airy. Figuring that a $325 amp has no right outshining a $1,500 integated amp, I decided to sell the Sim.

Thats where the T3 comes in. I bought this pre based 100% on the credible - sounding reviews on this site, casting aside the one negative review that appeared to be written be someone using LSD. I paid $895 for the unit on E-Bay.

I was in awe when I hooked this thing up. The soundstage is huge. I was formerly of the opinion that a good pre couldn't make that much difference in a system - not any more. Now I see why these things get snapped up so fast on the used market - it is truly an awesome sounding pre. I'm not letting go of this one.

Similar Products Used:

Sim Audio I-5

Soundstage depth, width. No feedback, hum, works with most amplifiers I've mated it to.

None to speak of.

I've come full circle since owning the gem called the Threshold T3. After having owned the T3 a few years back, I sold it and have probably tried a half dozen other preamps over the past 2 years. The BAT preamps are the only thing I've tried that are more transparent than the T3.However, that's not a put down for the T3. The T3's presentation, by design, is a darker sound than the BAT. The T3 has a very low noise floor. I've had great results connecting it to the VK500,VK200 amplifiers, as well as the Palladium II monoblocks. The T3 provides as silent an operation as I've ever enjoyed.



I've recently acquired another T3 after downsizing my system a bit for financial reasons. But, I don't hear negligible trade offs by once again having this fine gem of a preamp back into the chain. I truly believe the T3 is destined to become a classic of sorts. It provides both balanced and SE input/outputs, with an excellent video pass-through for home theater. All functions are operable via the user friendly remote.



Threshold. Shame they had to go...But the name lives on in the hands of us that are fortunate to own so many of their products. The Threshold T3 preamplifier is one of the finest performing preamplifiers I've ever heard. Alas...It's nice to have come home again to the T3.



Enjoy!

Similar Products Used:

BAT, Threshold T2, Audio Research, Coda, Plinius.

Thought I would throw in another good word for Threshold now that they are gone. I am using a FET ten/pc phono stage with my Aurum preamp and a Shure V15VxMR catridge. The Aurum is recent but the Threshold and Shure are ten years old and still have not heard anything that makes me want to change. Have been through three preamps and three turntable/arms in that period and the Threshold is as good as anything I've heard. Admit that could do better than the Shure, but it still gives me the warm and fuzzies while the Threshold is just magic. Sorry to see Threshold go as I feel sure that they would have replace the FET ten/pc with something else even better.

Great piece of American workmanship. Very detailed and the Music sounds likeits in your lap. Enjoy! Cheers. A easy 5 stars.

Terrible, just look what some of the owners are doing with their's. One bought one reveiwed it on Feb. 14th then 3 days later is trying to sell it at this site. I don't know about you, but I think that speaks volumes about this equipment.

The search ends here! I, like most of you, have been on what sometimes seemed like an endless quest. This journey of the ultimate preamp has
just ended. I am delighted to tell you that the Threshold T3 has resolved
my search for an audiophile quality preamplifier. The T3 was compared with
tube preamps such as the BAT VK5-i. Now let's face it. The BAT products are
definitely world class. You would expect a $4500 preamp to embrace you.
However, I did not believe it was possible to come close to that type of
performance with a product produced by a company such as Threshold. I am
completely perplexed as to why they have struggled for their survival. As
of this writing, the rumor is this company has recently folded. I don't
know the accuracy of this information, but if it is true, we have lost
a gem.

My recent purchase of the Threshold T3 preamplifier has fulfilled my search
for a preamplifier which provides the dependability of solid state with the
performance of a high end tube amp. Need I say more?
If any product is worthy of a "5", this one certainly qualifies.

Now, to the next phase.....the search for the perfect amp.

Good luck'.

T-3 is a great piece, one of the best PreAmps I have ever owned. Jeff reviewshows a lack of intelligence. Meaning if he did his research, Threshold is,
or might be going out of business. So allot of people are jumping ship and
selling there units. Regardless if they stay in business or not this pre Amp
is very detailed and one great piece that I will gladly keep in my system. The
reply Jeff did, is unfounded. He has never heard one, if he did he would have gave a review, and not a Flame. Let your ears be the judge. And not your anger.

THRESHOLD T3 coupled with Forte FP1 phono stage pre pre amplifierI agree with Dennis that the sound is superb. I biamplify into electrostatics for the top end and the sound stage, definition etc are excellent. The remote control is a blessing although it lacks a remote balance adjustment. The Forte does an excellent job with the low level sinal from my Koetsu Orynx - excellent bass etc etc.
5 star rating from me also.