Vitus / Gryphon

LL21

Well-Known Member
Dec 26, 2010
14,411
2,509
1,448
last one, bonzo and then back to the original topic>https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/difference-between-forte-4-and-4a-amp

perfectimage
406 posts
11-13-2001 3:48am
I had a model 4 and it was my first step into the high end world. I didnt even know it was made by Threshhold and I have no idea of the difference between models. I can tell you that its a pretty sweet amp and regardless of the difference between models you will be very pleased with it.
gs5556
601 posts
11-13-2001 5:41am
I owned a Model 4a - both face plate and back sticker were marked "4a".
drewfidelity
178 posts
11-13-2001 5:41am
I am not sure if this is correct, but I believe that it is close to correct. Forte originally offered a model 1A and a model three amplifier. The model 1A was a fifty watt per channel class A amplifier and the model 3 was a 150 watt per channel class AB amplifier.

Threshold and Forte began using IGBT, insulated gate biploar transistors, and the model 4, as well as the model 6 if I am not mistaken, were born. The Model 4 being the 50 watt per channel class A amplifier and the Model 6 being the 150 watt class AB amplifier. I am familiar because I owned a Forte Model 4 amplifier sometime around 1993.

I am not sure if there is a difference between the Model 4 and 4A. I believe that one model was preceded by the other and that one model, the latter model, offered balanced and rca inputs and the other model offered rca inputs only. I could very well be wrong. I know that the amplifier changed very little, if any, after its initial product run.

What I remember most is that the Forte Model 4 drove a pair of Celestion SL600's in a wonderful way. It was a great amplifier, a little dark and a pleasure to listen to.

Enjoy,
Drew
1953
140 posts
11-13-2001 2:26pm
I've owned at LEAST a dozen of these amps. I cycle them thru my system and sell'em to friends. A truly great little amp with the ability to drive low/complex impedance loads. You should hear a pair of them driving my electronicly bi-amped Apogee Stages & Duetta Signatures.

Anyway, the basic difference, besides minor face plate cosmetic differences, is that the 4a has a set of balanced inputs while the 4 does not. Pretty much end of story. There were some minor parts differences as the production line aged but I've found little if any sonic differences even between samples with large gaps in the serial numbers.

There is one tweak I can recommend though and that is to get the 4a and bypass the input selector switch & balanced inputs. Run it with just the single ended inputs. I have noticed a slightly more open sound (even over the 4) running it this way. The tweak is easy & reversible.

In general, avoid the balanced inputs as they have an input impedance that is just south of 1K ohm, which is a very difficult load for most pre-amps (certainly tubed ones).

Voltage gain is 26 DB and they actually work quite well into an Adcom Ace 515 line conditioner, most other conditioning flattens the amp dynamically (and this amp DOES boogie). A Wire World Aurora power cord is a nice upgrade as well.

Good Luck, you have a fine amp!!
sean
6,229 posts
11-13-2001 5:09pm
Drew & 1953 both offered a good bit of info on these amps. As mentioned, the main differences between the 4 & 4A was that the 4A had balanced inputs. Personally, i consider the Forte' amps some of the best buys in audio. The fact that most of them sell so cheaply has made me both quite happy and quite perplexed. Like 1953, i have had quite a few Forte's. The fact that he's running these "budget" amps with speakers the calibre of Apogee's should tell you something. The fact that the Apogee's are VERY tough loads should also tell you something about the "intestinal fortitude" of the "little" 4's / 4A's also.

I've had everything from the 1A to the 3 to the 4A and the 6 and 6A. All of them sound very sweet, airy, etc... Some moreso than others but none of those that i've owned would disappoint. I'd assume that the others sound very similar. Hearing one of these "budget" or "baby" versions of the more costly Threshold amps can really open your eyes and ears as to how good SS can sound for reasonable money. Don't expect massive bottom end "slam" out of these amps though. They are not a Krell or Perreaux. The common word used for these amps, and you'll notice it in almost every description of them that you read, is "sweet". As such, "sweet" and "brute" rarely go hand in hand.

Power ratings have varied somewhat depending on what you are using as a reference. Even the factory was "confused" in some of their own literature. Out of all of the Forte' amps ( 1, 1A, 3, 4, 4A, 5, 55, 6, 6A, 7 ), the 4 / 4A is the one that offered the most consistent ratings. Everything that i have seen about these ALWAYS states 50 wpc @ 8 / 100 wpc @ 4. I would call this an extremely conservative rating as this amp can drive just about anything you throw at it (within reason). Keep in mind that i am typically a "more is better" kinda guy when it comes to wattage, so long as the "quality" of wattage does not suffer along the way. One reviewer stated that the Forte' 4 series played louder than ANY 50 wpc amp had the right to.

I hope you enjoy your purchase. So long as you're not expecting to play hip-hop at lease breaking levels, i think you'll find it to be one of the "best buys" that you'll make in your audio career. Sean
>
xiekitchen
819 posts
11-13-2001 5:53pm
I have owned a forte 1a since 1991 and it sounds great for the money.. I would love to get a 100+ watt Threshold but wonder how much different or better it would sound for the thousands $ more.. I am not familier with the model 4 or 4a but would stay away from the 3. Only other amp I would consider for the price range is an Eagle.
 

bonzo75

Member Sponsor
Feb 26, 2014
22,435
13,467
2,710
London
Wow thanks a lot LL great reading
 

LL21

Well-Known Member
Dec 26, 2010
14,411
2,509
1,448

About us

  • What’s Best Forum is THE forum for high end audio, product reviews, advice and sharing experiences on the best of everything else. This is THE place where audiophiles and audio companies discuss vintage, contemporary and new audio products, music servers, music streamers, computer audio, digital-to-analog converters, turntables, phono stages, cartridges, reel-to-reel tape machines, speakers, headphones and tube and solid-state amplification. Founded in 2010 What’s Best Forum invites intelligent and courteous people of all interests and backgrounds to describe and discuss the best of everything. From beginners to life-long hobbyists to industry professionals, we enjoy learning about new things and meeting new people, and participating in spirited debates.

Quick Navigation

User Menu

Steve Williams
Site Founder | Site Owner | Administrator
Ron Resnick
Site Co-Owner | Administrator
Julian (The Fixer)
Website Build | Marketing Managersing