Anyone Know Luminance Audio Threshold Amp?

audiophile39 · « **on:** 1 Jan 2006, 07:01 pm »

Hi, wondering if anyone has experience with the Luminance Threshold amp? How does it compare, sonically, with the NuForce amp? Thanks!

Eric · « **Reply #1 on:** 15 Feb 2006, 10:55 pm »

I had a chance to here them side by side in my home. The nuforces were more clinical than the Luminance. Bot had power to spare, and did the basic things very well. The Nuforces had more "extended" highs. Both had excellent bass. The Luminance was smoother, yet detailed at the same time. Neither would be what I call "midrange champs" but the Luminance was better in that area. The luminace was very fast and balanced. I liked it a lot

Bill Baker · « **Reply #2 on:** 15 Feb 2006, 11:31 pm »

I have the Luminance here now. While I have not heard it compared to the Nuforce, I was very impressed with the speed and dynamics of the Luminance.
Another aspect of the Luminance is the burn-in time this amp takes to reach it's potential. It's takes a while, I found 100 hours is only the beginning and have heard from Joe in Chicago that 400 hours is needed for it to reach full potential.

I will be bringing in a pair of them to bi-amp the SP Technoloy Timepieces.

Long story short, the Luminance is the first high-end solid state amplifier to make it's way into my lineup.

oris98 · « **Reply #3 on:** 16 Feb 2006, 01:05 am »

From your opinion, is the luminance amp comparable to the Bryston 4BSST ? or 7BSST ? According to Rick Schize from Virtual Dynamics it is the bryston killer ? What are the benefits for the AMP being fast as all you guys recogonized ? Any comments ?

Eric · « **Reply #4 on:** 16 Feb 2006, 07:57 pm »

Quote from: oris98

From your opinion, is the luminance amp comparable to the Bryston 4BSST ? or 7BSST ? According to Rick Schize from Virtual Dynamics it is the bryston killer ? What are the benefits for the AMP being fast as all you guys recogonized ? Any comments ?

I owned the Bryston 4BSST for a while. As I think bac, they are very similar in character. They both have low distortion, and are very neutral and clean in terms of their presentation. Response Audio is right, the Luminance improves greatly after 100 hours or so of continuous use.

If you were to press me, I would say the Luminance is "faster" then the Bryston, but the Bryston was slightly more powerful and did mids a little better (but not much). They are both great amps. But apples to apples would really be comparing the Luminance to the 3BSST as they are nearer in power and price. The 4BSST is more than twoce the rated power of the Luminance and more expensive I think

HTH