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Many of the nightclub sound systems built during the 70’s and 80’s were a labor of love. The systems and
the components therein were built by individuals and small businesses who were more interested in results
they could be proud of than the number of pieces that could be sold in a year. This not to say that the
club/DJ market was not profitable…well planned clubs made high quality sound systems a priority and paid
well for them. DJ’s who took their profession seriously also demanded the best.
the components therein were built by individuals and small businesses who were more interested in results
they could be proud of than the number of pieces that could be sold in a year. This not to say that the
club/DJ market was not profitable…well planned clubs made high quality sound systems a priority and paid
well for them. DJ’s who took their profession seriously also demanded the best.
During this time, mass manufacturing entities had not yet taken notice of the club/DJ market. Equipment
manufacturers typically did not have mass production in mind - they designed their equipment to be the
best possible tools for the audio playback professional. By contrast, most of the club/DJ gear today
appears to be targeted towards the hobby DJ. Every advance in electronics and manufacturing seems to
be used to cut the cost of gear, rather than to make a better product.
manufacturers typically did not have mass production in mind - they designed their equipment to be the
best possible tools for the audio playback professional. By contrast, most of the club/DJ gear today
appears to be targeted towards the hobby DJ. Every advance in electronics and manufacturing seems to
be used to cut the cost of gear, rather than to make a better product.
Today, the acceptance of low cost amplifiers is based in large part on the myth that amplifiers all sound
alike. Most amplifiers will bench test alike, with a sine wave tone and a non-inductive load. In the real world
of music and loudspeakers, it is a different situation. Music contains complex and rapidly changing
waveforms, which can often be asymmetrical as well. Loudspeakers present complex impedances and
back-EMF, all changing with the dynamics of the music being played. This is where low budget amplifiers
fall short, transients can sound like breaking glass and detail is lost. The high end alternatives are often
far too costly, as many go beyond building a good amplifier, and become an expensive work of art for an
audiophile. Many of these are fine products, but not an appropriate tool for a sound professional.
alike. Most amplifiers will bench test alike, with a sine wave tone and a non-inductive load. In the real world
of music and loudspeakers, it is a different situation. Music contains complex and rapidly changing
waveforms, which can often be asymmetrical as well. Loudspeakers present complex impedances and
back-EMF, all changing with the dynamics of the music being played. This is where low budget amplifiers
fall short, transients can sound like breaking glass and detail is lost. The high end alternatives are often
far too costly, as many go beyond building a good amplifier, and become an expensive work of art for an
audiophile. Many of these are fine products, but not an appropriate tool for a sound professional.
On the other hand, there are amplifiers targeted towards professional users. Many of these units include
features unrelated to amplification, such as signal processing and microprocessor control with LCD
display. It would seem that the amplifiers of the 70,s and 80’s fill the void. Those amplifiers were built to be
audio tools, the capital goods of an industry. They featured rugged chassis, thick front panels, computer
grade capacitors, heavy transformers, large extruded heat sinks, and often attractive metering. The circuit
topologies were dedicated to high fidelity linear amplification. Today, these vintage amplifiers are scarce,
largely because they did have a reliability issues. The power transistors of those years were not optimized
for high power amplification, but the designers of the time had to use what was available.
features unrelated to amplification, such as signal processing and microprocessor control with LCD
display. It would seem that the amplifiers of the 70,s and 80’s fill the void. Those amplifiers were built to be
audio tools, the capital goods of an industry. They featured rugged chassis, thick front panels, computer
grade capacitors, heavy transformers, large extruded heat sinks, and often attractive metering. The circuit
topologies were dedicated to high fidelity linear amplification. Today, these vintage amplifiers are scarce,
largely because they did have a reliability issues. The power transistors of those years were not optimized
for high power amplification, but the designers of the time had to use what was available.
It would be ideal if an amplifier of vintage design methods was made today, using the most advanced high
performance transistors available now….
performance transistors available now….
That was then...
This is now...
Thrive signal processing and mixing equipment is designed and built with many of the methods and
manufacturing styles used in the classic pieces of the past; however, the functionality is up to date with
today’s playback formats and the needs of the modern performing DJ. Thrive is aware of the fact that DJ’s
have evolved into performers who use recorded material to create their own sound and identity. The
Thrive focus is on the upscale nightclub and the performing DJ. These are extremely durable tools,
designed and manufactured to be kept long and pushed to the max.
manufacturing styles used in the classic pieces of the past; however, the functionality is up to date with
today’s playback formats and the needs of the modern performing DJ. Thrive is aware of the fact that DJ’s
have evolved into performers who use recorded material to create their own sound and identity. The
Thrive focus is on the upscale nightclub and the performing DJ. These are extremely durable tools,
designed and manufactured to be kept long and pushed to the max.
Thrive amplifiers feature the best traits of uncompromised vintage designs, using the best components
available today. The high performance semiconductors used in Thrive amplifiers improve reliability and
increase power output considerably over what was available in the vintage amplifiers, while delivering high
fidelity reproduction of contemporary high resolution audio signals.
available today. The high performance semiconductors used in Thrive amplifiers improve reliability and
increase power output considerably over what was available in the vintage amplifiers, while delivering high
fidelity reproduction of contemporary high resolution audio signals.
A Thrive amplifier is really all amplifier - there is no eq, crossover, compressor, or computer. The box is
filled with amplification hardware only: a massive toriodal transformer, screw terminal capacitors, extruded
heatsinks, and FR4 circuit boards with double thick copper. Cooling is by variable speed fan, rear to front
airflow. Large LED meters give Thrive amplifiers that vintage look, but the design details say it’s no relic.
filled with amplification hardware only: a massive toriodal transformer, screw terminal capacitors, extruded
heatsinks, and FR4 circuit boards with double thick copper. Cooling is by variable speed fan, rear to front
airflow. Large LED meters give Thrive amplifiers that vintage look, but the design details say it’s no relic.
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