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Forte Audio was an American high-end audio equipment manufacturer founded by Nelson Pass in 1987, known for producing solid-state amplifiers and preamplifiers that bridged the gap between his earlier work at Threshold Audio and his later company Pass Labs. The company specialized in Class A and Class AB amplifier designs, including the popular Forte Model 1A, Model 3, and Model 4 power amplifiers that gained recognition among audiophiles for their warm sound signature and build quality. Forte Audio represented Nelson Pass's exploration of more affordable high-performance amplification during the late 1980s and early 1990s. The company ceased operations in the mid-1990s when Pass transitioned to founding Pass Labs, making Forte Audio products now sought-after vintage items in the used audio market.