I own a TP 2.0B. It is a superb preamp. Joseph Chow, the owner of Audio Horizons, offers a number of upgrades. If you have a balanced system, I suggest you audition a unit with upgraded transformers. Like Gamecock, I replaced a more costly preamp with the TP 2.0B. The Audio Horizons preamp was far superior. I've had a number of transactions (upgrades, etc.) with Joseph. He is entirely reliable and shows a remarkable insight into audio systems. |
Rx8man,
Your comments about the Audio Horizons TP 2.0 certainly correspond to my experience of it. Joseph Chow does so many things so well that I am a little reluctant to say so. Audiogoners may think I am exaggerating or profiting from my remarks, neither of which is true. But I cannot resist inviting audiophiles to find out for themselves by using the trial program. I think those who try the preamp, the tube DAC, and the cables made by Audio Horizons will very much want to keep them. I did. |
Spencer,
I've answered your first question privately. The rest of my system includes:
Coincident Tech Super Eclipse III loudspeakers
VTL Signature MB 185 monoblock amps
Audio Horizons TP 3.0 tube DAC
Levinson #37 transport (extensive upgrades by Joseph Chow)
VPI Aries II turntable
K&K Audio phono preamp
power cords & interconnects by Audio Horizons
Rand |
Sherod,
I've looked forward to reading your update. I'm glad to learn that all goes well. My system, too, has never sounded better. There is only one point in your report about which I may be able to suggest improvement. I see you haven't tried Joseph's speaker cables. They are excellent. I've been using them for months in my system. Break in time is pretty quick (40-50 hrs). I find two characteristics about these cables most striking. First, the tonal balance is wonderful - top to bottom there are no dull or hot frequencies. Second, the noise floor on them is very low. I was a Beta tester for Josph's cables; I heard the improvements in sound quality (via lower noise floor) he made in them. Of course, I also heard the great improvement in sound quality over the other cables I used previously.
So, I recommend that you give them a try. |
Sherod and Rx8man,
As you know, Joseph has created an upgrade path in the design of the Audio Horizons preamp. To which configuration of the Audio Horizons preamp are you listening? Are you using the TP 2.0nB? |
In an earlier post I mis-identified my version of the Audio Horizons preamp. I have the TP 2.0nB with Seimens tubes (i.e., more internal shielding, Hovland caps, premium output transformers). Except for my power amplifiers, I now have an Audio Horizons line extending from my transport to my loudspeakers. Joseph has developed a new balanced digital interconnect that sounds terrific between my transport and the Audio Horizons TD 3.0 tube DAC. In addition, I'm using his balanced interconnects from DAC to Preamp and from preamp to power amp. I've also migrated to the Audio Horizons speaker cables.
Last weekend, a couple of local audiophiles asked to listen to my system. They are SET, high efficiency horn aficionados. My loudspeakers are cone configuration. The general conclusion was that my system played the full spectrum of music (classical, jazz, blues, rock, acoustic, electronic, instumental, vocal, soloist, small ensemble, orchestra) beautifully. I've had systems that did one thing or another very well. This system - the Audio Horizons equipment - distinguishes itself by playing all kinds of music wonderfully well.
The other audiophiles and I agreed to gather some more people together in order to compare several preamps. Probably, we'll use another system. I'm very interested to see the impact of the TP 2.0 in other systems than my own. I hope we will get together within the next few weeks. I'll keep you posted. |
Regarding Sherod's question: As a beta tester of the preamp, I had the opportunity to listen to all versions of the preamp. I was impressed when Joseph delivered a tube preamp capable of 105dB S/N. However, when he added the transformer and other upgrade options, the quality of the music was greatly improved. More detail emerged. The music was communicated more vividly and with greater subtlety. Ultimately, I bought the TP 2.0nB (premium transformer version) because it sounded so beautiful. Fortunately, Joseph has made an upgrade path for this preamp. Those who enjoy versions lower on the upgrade path can look forward to new and substantially greater pleasure in the future. |
I continue to use and to enjoy my TP 2.0nB preamplifier. No trouble with the preamp at all. I think it is a great value.
Perhaps you will enjoy the process of upgrading the preamplifier. I went for the fully upgraded version at the start, including the upgraded tubes, and have not regretted it.
As I understand it, Joseph offers the tubes as a not-for-profit service to his customers in order to better demonstrate the capabilities of the preamp. I listened to the stock EH tubes and to Siemens tubes. The benefit of the Siemens was clear to my ears. However, there may be other excellent tubes that you would prefer. |
The preamp has a 30 second turn on delay. It sounds good almost immediately. It does not run hot even after long periods. However, like all audio gear I have heard, it does sound better when it reaches stable operating temperature. |
Grannyring,
If by tube dampers you mean flexible rings that can be rolled down over the tubes to quiet vibrations due to heat and signal then, yes, I do use them with both the preamplifier and the DAC. I was surprised to hear that the rings do improve the music slightly.
I use the Siemens ECC tubes provided by Joseph as an upgrade. I bought the rings that I am using on Audiogon. There may be more sophisticated materials available. I have not tried others.
Rand |
Gammajo,
I use mytle wood blocks under the Audio Horizons DAC and preamp. It is decidedly better than a softer isolation material. The myrtle wood benefit is a lower noise floor. |
My impression (no science here) is that the myrtle wood is particularly good at draining vibration off and away from the audio gear. My audio shelves are suspended from the wall. I can jump next to them and not disturb a turntable playing. For this reason, I perceive the value of the myrtle wood blocks as "vibration drained away" rather than as "vibration prevented from reaching." It might work both ways - I can't tell.
Perhaps I should add that my shelves are wood, too - plywood with many coats of paint applied. |
Grannyring,
A friend bought some myrtle wood on Ebay and cut the blocks for me. |
As Gammajo notes, safety is one very good reason to leave a cover on the preamp (or any electronic device with 120V running into it).
Joseph has told me about another benefit of keeping the cover on the unit: it helps the signal to noise by minimizing radiation distribution within the unit. If all other factors are held constant, the signal to noise will be better with the cover on the preamp.
The Audio Horizons chassis is quite rigid. I like, especially, the welds at the chassis corners which greatly enhance the rigidity. I have not sensed any audible vibration from the cover of my preamp. However, if that is a concern to you then do use some adhesive backed damping strips. Doing so can only enhance the benefits of the preamp. |
A couple of days ago I attempted to start a thread for commenting on the Audio Horizons TD 3.0 DAC (digital forum- "Audio Horizons TD 3.0 DAC comments"). The thread received no comments. Since I asked for pros and cons and received neither, I wonder if I am alone in even thinking about this DAC (which I like quite a lot).
If there are any TD 3.0 users over here, would you comment in that other thread, please? |
Both of my Audio Horizons components (preamp and DAC) have black face plate and redheart knobs. I must say I like happy coincidence of the redheart name, which is so appropriate to components that consistently provide heartfelt musical performances. |
You've received some good advice from other Audio Horizons customers. I'll add my "amen" to their comments.
I recommend that you send the TP 2.1 equivalent of either the TP 2.0nb or the TP 2.0nB, which are the versions of that preamp that perform at the highest level.
The upgrade path is an important story.
I would take the same approach with the phono preamp. Send the best performing version of the stand alone unit. It doesn't have to include all of the possible variatiations and features (i.e., it doesn't have to be the most expensive version) but it should perform at the highest level |
Yes, Joseph changed my preamp.
I was surprised at the improvement - I didn't think the preamp could be improved quite so easily. What I have heard so far are more relaxed and natural high frequencies, and a midbass (~80-200 hz) improvement. Also, it seems to me that various instruments and voices are articulated and positioned more clearly. I perceive the improvements as a more realistic presentation of the musical performance rather than as, say, a lower noise floor that reveals more detail.
Joseph did shield the new output caps, while changing some wires, adding a couple of other caps, and removing the line filter.
I'm glad that Joseph made the change. I have been a beta tester for the Audio Horizons solid state DAC, the tube DAC, and for the TP 2.0 (but not for TP 2.1 or the phono preamp). So, I have had the advantage of seeing Audio Horizons products evolve through the interaction of listening tests and circuit refinements. This upgrade (it is an improvement) shows the value of Joseph's design approach (described on the Audio Horizons website) very well. |
I see, at long last, that an audio product reviewer has caught sight of an Audio Horizons product - the TD 3.0 tube DAC. A review can be read here:
http://www.dagogo.com/AudioHorizonsTD3.0nDAC.html
The reviewer concludes that the TD 3.0 is a great bargain, without equal in its price range, and for which no apologies are needed even when compared to DACs costing tens of thousands of $.
I've enjoyed my TD 3.0 since it was introduced. Recently, Joseph installed the new capacitors (mentioned in the review and now used in the preamp) into my tube DAC.
I hope others find reason to try the TD 3.0 which, in its own way, is as good as the TP 2.0. |
Grannyring,
My 2.0nB was modified to reflect the 2.1 changes. I perceive the result as improving the articulateness of the soundstage.
In my system, the soundstage became deeper and the instrument positions more precise. Voices became more relaxed, natural.
I associate these improvements with the positive characteristics of tube signal handling. Other (negative) characteristics associated with tubes - loss of bass control, noisier signal - did not appear with the modification.
Both my preamp and my tube DAC received the new capacitors. I think the more significant improvement came to the pre-amp |
Joshclark,
I owned a VTL 5.5 which I compared to the Audio Horizons TP 2.0nB. The VTL came in a distant second place in that contest. The Audio Horizons preamp excelled in soundstage, dynamics, resolution, ... . As someone inclined toward VTL products (through two preamp models, two power amp models), I was surprised at how much better the AH preamp performed. |
I, too, own the TD 3.0 tube DAC. It is excellent. There is a Dagogo review of it, which is located here:
http://www.dagogo.com/AudioHorizonsTD3.0nDAC.html |
Some of you may be interested, also, in other sound system development work that Joseph is doing.
In a thread named "Sonos Questions" I reported on some improvements that Joseph has made to my Sonos digital source. The external power supplies that I am testing have greatly improved my pleasure in the Sonos system. Sonos provides an excellent user interface but the sound quality needed some help. Joseph's power supply improvements have delivered that help. |
I use the Audio Horizons tube DAC, the preamplifier, and interconnects in my system. I've used them for nearly three years. All of the products have been completely trouble-free. They always turn on; there are no extraneous noises.
Is my experience typical? Are these products uncommonly reliable as well as uncommonly musical? |
Sometimes adhesives that bind the stacked plates which are part of the power transformer will weaken and allow vibration. We hear it as a hum. I suspect that is what your friend is hearing. It is a common occasional problem with transformers of any manufacturer.
Knowing that it exists, even if you can't hear it while listening, is annoying. However, as long as the hum is inaudible, it does not degrade the quality of the music you receive from the system. It is not an electrical problem; it is a mechanical one - the unadhered sections of the transformer plates are vibrating.
If adhesive failure is the problem, then when you press down on the top of the power transformer to dampen the vibration,the sound probably will go away. I think the solution is replacement of the power transformer rather than repair of it. The adhesive failure is between the plates and cannot be repaired.
If that is the problem, it requires skill to remove the transformer withour damaging the pads of the printed circuit board (pcb). Don't attempt it unless you are good with a soldering iron. |
Well, I'm delighted that this thread has been returned to service by Audiogon. It has been missing too long.
As I have reported before, I have beta tested products on behalf of Audio Horizons. These products include the various DACs, line level preamps, wire, and now I can report, a tube power amp.
The power amp I tested is a low watt SET. It is a functional unit but not in the final cosmetic form. I listened to it for about 3 weeks and returned it to AH yesterday.
I loved it and expect to buy one when it reaches production. I don't know when that will be. Based on my observation of other AH product development, cosmetics take time for Joseph to sort through. I won't expect this amp to pop out right away. A functioning unit doesn't translate as quickly as I would wish into a final product. If the past is an indicator, Joseph will continue to play with the circuit and layout, too. I don't want to raise your hopes prematurely - but the amp does exist.
My loudspeakers are 92dB efficent and high impedance - Coincident Technologies Super Eclipse III. Played through them, this amplifier delivered rich detail, tonal balance (consistency, if you will) from top to bottom of the audio frequency, airy top end, and solid tight bass. Sound stage was deep, and with good quality recording, there were no obvious boundaries to it.
I have had a number of fine solid state and tube amplifiers in my system over the years. This one is the best yet in my system.
As for details about the amp itself, it is under development by Joseph, and it is not my story to tell.
|
Joseph brought the test unit over to my home twice to listen to it in my system. So, I've had the pleasure of listening to the new preamp upgrade in my system for about two hours. That was enough to persuade me to order the the upgrade.
Before I say more about the improved soundstage, lower noise, greater detail and more natural sound - which I heard in these listening sessions - I will wait to receive the upgrade into my own system. |
As you know, Joseph tries to offer upgrade paths. So, with respect to my system, I will receive upgrades to my existing 2.0nB (which has been modified previously from the original configuration).
Several weeks have passed since I listened to the preamplifier modification. I recall that the modifications to which I listened were test bedded in a 2.1 chassis. I don't recall the list of all changes made, but there were substantial changes made. These changes that I saw may be enough to justify a new model designation (changes such as new transformer). That may be the path Joseph takes. Victor would be a reliable source of that information. |
On a recent evening, I watched a skillful boxer beat a less skillful boxer. He was faster to punch, to change angles, to block, to slip punches. An athlete in peak form sees, acts, and reacts so quickly that we fans marvel at his speed and mastery. From the athlete's perspective, he sees, acts and reacts to events that unfold more slowly than he is able to respond to them. From his perspective, when in peak form, the game has slowed down.
I know now that an audiophile can share in the experience of an athlete in peak form. While testing the latest iteration of Joseph's new SET amp, I shared in it. The music came to me with such clarity, ease and fullness that I experienced it, and responded to it, more quickly and completely than I had known to be possible. The game has slowed down.
I heard what a live audience must hear from the reedy voiced Stacey Kent. Momentarily, she will delicately touch a warm, un-nasal, lower pitched vibrato. Alison Krauss' wispiest sibilants are no longer opaque; I can almost pause to inspect them, as they float past my ears. The game had slowed down.
Are there two pianists who interpret Mozart more differently than Mitsuko Uchida and Alicia de Larrocha do? I've enjoyed this difference many times. But, through this amplifier, I could hardly believe their interpretations of the allegro movement of Sonata K332 had been inspired by the same source. The recordings had not changed. My experience of them had changed.
This SET amplifier is special. I hope it reaches the market. The amp now moves on to another beta tester. I hope it returns soon. |
My room is 20' x 20' x 9'. Two adjacent walls have large openings, so the effective volume is larger than the measurements indicate.
I use a digital source.
The loudspeakers are specified at 92 dB with a minimum impedance of 10 ohms.
I listen to music at a volume that doesn't exceed 85dB, which is typical of what I hear when I attend the opera, seated within 15 rows of the orchestra pit. |
Joseph brought a TP2.1 with Clarity capacitors and a feature he called harmonic alignment to test in my system yesterday. Sherod and others have noted the musical transparency of the Clarity capacitor. I agree with their assessment but will not repeat it here.
Without comment from Joseph, we listened to the preamp. What I heard that was new to my ears was an increased focus and dynamism to the individual voices and instruments within an ensemble. Voices and instruments seemed to me to vary more independently of one another.
I reported what I had heard and asked about "harmonic alignment." What is it?
It is a method to reduce distortion from signals greater than 60 kHz. Even though signals at such high frequencies are far above the hearing threshold of humans, these signals do cause harmonic distortions in frequencies that are within our hearing range.
At least, that is what I can repeat using my layman terms and understanding. I asked if there was attenuation of audible frequencies when the 60+ kHz frequencies are reduced. "No," for some reason related to impedance. Joseph has always been keen about impedance but he loses me quickly in that area.
Based on a single session of about 1 hour, I would say this feature reduces a distortion that masks the dynamics of individual instruments and voices. Of course, the voices continue to sing in tune together, but they do so in a more lively, independent, and natural manner. I guess you could call that singing with greater harmonic alignment. |
Although I moved away from vinyl some time ago, I have listened to the TP 8.0. It's a very good phono preamp. You can listen to it, too. Contact Jospeh and ask for a trial. |
Cdente - do you have more results to report from your TD3.0 DAC upgrade?
If I understand it correctly, this upgrade involved significant change, including a new DAC chipset (192kHz) and power supply chamge. |
Markwatkiss,
Thanks for the update. Meanwhile, I continue to listen to iterations of Joseph's SET power amp - and they continue to improve. I understand that within the next few weeks I will listen to a SET power amp with a different tube complement and more power. I'm looking forward to the audition even though I haven't felt any loss of SPL from the lower watt SET.
As Nelson Pass has memorialized in his "First Watt" amplifier series, almost all of what we will ever want to hear is delivered in the first few watts. |
That is part of the design of the balanced interconnection. They call it common-mode noise rejection. It lowers noise level. It's a more expensive solution because it requires balanced mode output transformers in the preamp.
Here is a link that will offer more information
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balanced_line |
Here is an update on development of Joseph's SET amplifiers. I have been listening to an EL34 SET amplifier in a compact chassis that uses 5 tubes (2 each EL34 as power tubes). Previously I described the very good music I received from it. Low power and very good sound - dead quiet as are all of Joseph's products.
A couple of weeks ago, Joseph brought a new SET amplifier that he wanted to listen to in my system. It had a larger chassis, 6 tubes (2 each EL34 power tubes), several transformers; it must have weighed more than 50 lbs. We listened to it for about 1 hour. It was much better than the amp I have been testing. More detail, more bass control, more air in upper frequencies; a lovely midrange.
The following week, I had shoulder surgery, so I've been laid up at home. On Friday Joseph called to ask if I wanted to listen to another amplifier, different from the first two amps. He brought me to his listening room, where I listened to his system for about an hour.
This third amplifier was in the larger chassis and used 845 power tubes with multiple transformers. More powerful bass control and better high frequencies; however, I thought that the midrange of the 845 amplifier was not as open as that of the larger (second) EL34 amplifier.
There are two SET amplifiers under development. Both are larger (and better sounding) than the sample to which I have been listening. The amp I have been testing appears to have been a prototype for the two subsequent amps. Joseph told that the peak power of the new SET amps I heard - and which may not be the final versions - are <10 watts (EL34) and <40 watts (845), respectively. |
The latest version of the Audio Horizon's preamplifier, the TP 2.2, has received a "Writer's Choice Award" from Positive Feedback web magazine.
Here is the link
http://www.positive-feedback.com/Issue46/awards.htm
Scroll down about about 75% of the way to the section of Jeff Parks. Apparently Positive Feedback will publish a review of the TP 2.2 in the next 30 days or so. |
No, I have not listened to the TP 2.2 in my system. I heard it in Joseph's system. As I reported in October, Joseph invited me to listen to the 845 SET amplifier in his system. I did not audition the TP 2.2 at that time, although a TP 2.2 engineering sample was working with the 845 amp, I believe. We'll have to watch for the Positive Feedback review of the TP 2.2.
Yesterday, I listened to an improved 845 SET amp in my system for the first time. I will say more about that event in my next post. |
Here are my comments about the 845 SET amplifier.
My system includes the following components:
SONOS digital music source with Audio Horizons power supply upgrade
Audio Horizons TD 3.0, upgraded by Joseph in various ways including a chip set that upsamples to 192kHz
Audio Horizons TP 2.0, upgraded by Joseph in various ways.
Audio Horizons cables: digital single ended SONOS to DAC; balanced DAC to preamp
I used single ended cables to the amplifier prototype because it was not wired for balanced inputs yet.
Coincident Super Eclipse Mk II loudspeakers (28Hz- 35kHz; high impedance; 92 dB)
The power tubes were 845s; the driver tubes (initially) were 6L6s.
After letting the equipment warm up, we began by playing the reference quality recordings which serve me as a baseline for comparing component performance. Immediately a difference appeared. From the first deep bass notes, resonances came from a nearby window frame. I resealed the window and adjusted a curtain. The low frequency energy was powerful but in balance with the mids and highs. I had not played an amplifier that got such a deep, full response out of my speakers before - not even solid state amplifiers. This amplifier has 4 ohm and 8 ohm output taps. We used the 8 ohm tap.
For about 30 minutes we listened to various recordings, trying to cover the gamut of music types and ensembles. The only boundary of the soundstage was the room itself. The depth was very good. I was struck by how well positioned instruments and voices were. Recordings which, with other amplifiers had tended to be too forward or too recessed, were not so with this one. This sound staging was excellent
The music was big, powerful when appropriate, tonally balanced, but to my ear had an unwanted tightness in the frequencies of the female voice. We paused to discuss that issue. Joseph heard it, too. Joseph suggested that we substitute EL34s for the 6L6s as driver tubes.
The improvement was immediate and exactly what was wanted. The voice opened up completely. Imagine Renee Fleming in your listening room singing "Chi il bel sogno di Doretta" from La Rondine (Fleming, The Beautiful Voice). That is what I seemed to hear. It was wonderful!
I cannot speak about rap music because I have none, but the orchestral, instrumental, classical, jazz, country, American standard, blues, rock, etc. sounded great through the amplifier.
Which amplifier do I prefer - the EL34 low power SET or this more powerful 845 SET? I'm not sure yet. Like Joseph's other products, both amps are very responsive to tube selection. Maybe the question will hinge on how loudly I want to play my music. To me 90dB is loud. Both amplifiers played that loud in my system - the 845 could have played much louder in my system. For people with less efficient speakers than mine, the 845 would make good sense.
These amplifiers do credit to Joseph. I think they are excellent products and I certainly will buy one or the other of them when they come to market. |
No.
Joseph has been very value conscious with his products. I expect him to continue to be with a power amplifier, too. I'm sure to get what I pay for and more. But for this much value, I would expect to pay a good bit. |
I wish Joseph would shed more light on his product development work. I understand that he has developed a new "top of the line" power cord and interconnect, but hasn't promoted it yet. I understand, also, that he is preparing to introduce improvements to his phono preamp.
Of course, I'm waiting for his SET power amp introduction. As I understand the coming power amps, there are EL34 and 845 based products. I have heard two versions of the EL34 SET and one version of the 845 amp. The samples to which I listened have been returned, so I hope that he will prepare final versions of whatever the products will be, and begin to accept orders. |
Sherod,
In my 12/21 post, you learned most of what I have heard about the future products. Your post reminded me that I forgot to mention the TP 2.2 preamplifier. I looked at the Positive-Feedback site but they have not yet published a review of the new preamp, which was recognized with a Writer's Choice Award recently.
I spoke with Joseph after the 12/21 post. Again, he expressed pleasure and excitement about his latest interconnect, power cord, and phono preamplifier products - none of which has been announced officially, as far as I can tell.
I made an internet search under "audio horizons" in order to learn more. What I learned is that someone else has established an "Audio Horizons Inc." web site. That is NOT Joseph.
Regarding marketing savvy, what I see is that Joseph invests himself in designing and producing excellent audio products. It's clear that is where Joseph's strength lies. The product marketing communication comes in brief bursts. For example, he upgraded his website substantially about a year ago. But it is rather static.
Enthusiastic Audio Horizon customers have been the most constant source of product communication. I hope that Joseph gives us some new products soon, so that we can enjoy them and talk about them. |
As Sherod suggested in December, here is the latest information I have regarding Audio Horizon product development.
Joseph brought three new products to me to audition. I had seen one of them, an EL34 SET amplifier in an earlier version. The others were a single ended (unbalanced; RCA type connectors) interconnect, and a power cord.
Here is what I observed:
Power amplifier: Previously I had auditioned two versions of an EL34 SET. I identified them as a small chassis version and a large chassis version. There were many differences between them. The large chassis version was superior to the small chassis version. Joseph brought an improved small chassis version for this audition. Joseph told me that the amplifier has some different components. For example, there is a new coupling capacitor (not Clarity) and a new choke. Previously, I very much liked the large chassis version of the EL34 - if he ever gets around to selling one, I want to buy it. In the case of this small chassis version now, I think he has closed the gap between the two versions by about half. The soundstage of the small chassis version is a bit smaller and less deep than the large chassis version. Since I did not have both versions to compare, I'm vaguer about other distinctions between them.
We compared two versions of a power cord with Wattgate connectors. The only difference was the length of the power cord (1meter v. 2 meters). Joseph's interconnects and power cords are grouped into classes. The highest class is called Dimension. This power cord is in the Dimension class. The 2 meter version audibly improved the amplifier performance, to my ear particularly in the the resolution and openness of the highest frequencies.
Here is the surprise (to me). The 1 meter version caused the amplifier output to be less resolved and open than the 2 meter version. The difference was fairly pronounced.
We auditioned another 2 meter power cord. This version had Furutech connectors (the first 2 meter power cord had Wattgate connectors). The Furutech connectors improved the sound even more. The Furutech connectors appeared to have a copper plating on the metal tines.
I gathered that the unbalanced interconnect is intended to be an improved version of the current Dimension unbalanced interconnect. I had only unbalanced Transparency (a lower class of Audio Horizons interconnect) cables with which to compare it. There was really no comparison. The new interconnect was much better in every attribute I associate with an interconnect. Since I use balanced interconnects in my system, I probably won't take advantage of this improvement.
It appears to me that Joseph is not a person to be moved by immediate commercial considerations. I have hoped that he would bring an amplifier product to market soon. Yet, he continues to improve and refine his work. He told me that he is dissatisfied with his 845 SET prototype (see my earlier post) but that the EL34 is getting close to his objective. I don't know what motivated him to start on power cords and interconnects, but I did ask him to accept an order for three 2 meter Dimension powercords with Furutech connectors in the event that he finished development of them.
That is the latest news that I have to share. |
I have a brief report for you regarding development of the Audio Horizons power cord and the preamplifier.
In my 1/21 post I described the results of power cord testing that involved two different connector types (Wattgate and Furutech) and two different lengths of power cord (1m and 2m). Based on those comparisons, I preferred the Furutech connector and the 2m cable length.
Later Joseph returned with another 1m version of the power cord. I gathered he believed that cable capacitance had adversely affected the 1m performance in the first test. For this second test he had adjusted the 1m cable capacitance. The result was a performance that I could not distinguish from the 2m cable of the first test. Subsequently, I purchased three 1m power cords (with Furutech connectors) to power my DAC, preamp, and power amp). The most pronounced effect in my system has been to sharpen the focus of individual instruments (their discrete location) on the sound stage.
Joseph returned with a modified preamplifier, too. I believe I listened to what will be produced as the TP 2.2. I did not get to listen to the preamplifier for very long. I believe that Joseph came to listen for some particular effect in my system.
Although I cannot yet articulate the effect I heard, I can tell you what my reaction to it was. I lowered the volume setting of my system. I did so without thinking about it - it just seemed at the moment to be the right thing to do. I could hear a musically satisfying performance with all attributes (detail, large soundstage, etc) at a lower volume level.
After a brief listening session, Joseph asked for my reaction. I told him what I have just told you. He was not surprised, he said, because he had done the same thing with his own system.
My interpretation is that the change in the preamplifier allowed my system to work more effectively. Some masking noise or signal imbalance had been eliminated and, consequently, the system delivered a satisfying result with less effort. |
Joseph did not discuss with me an upgrade program to the 2.2 It didn't come up in our conversation. He follows a produce development process that is, I'm sure, clear to him. But I can't tell when Joseph is finished with the process.
I have upgraded my preamplifier and DAC as upgrades have been released. But I wait until Joseph suggests that an upgrade may be appropriate for my system. Such a suggestion from Joseph indicates to me that he is done with his development work.
I sense he must be close to it now. Victor would be a better information source, perhaps. |
Siltrain,
In my 11/15/09 post I reported that Positive Feedback had announced an award for the new TP 2.2. You will find the link to the article in my post. I think the writer who praised the 2.2 still intends to publish a review. I check the site each month in hope of finding it.
My former power cords were not the Dimension poswer cords, so I cannot say how the new power cords would compare to the Dimensions. |
Sherod,
I see in Victor's 1/26/10 post an answer to part of your concern. There he said he was working on ad copy for several new products and expected the information to be released in 3-6 weeks. It seems likely we will learn the full story around the end of February.
The award to which I referred was recognition from a Positive Feedback writer who was in the process of developing a review of the TP 2.2. Although I've never published a review in a magazine, I've read enough of them to come to understand that the timing of publication can be impacted by many different forces - some in the writer's control; some beyond that control.
The good news is that we are not suffering from a lack of good music. What I feel is only an impatience for even better music. |
As we've all seen, Joseph has announced the TP2.2 preamplifier and the TD3.1 DAC. After listening to test versions of these products for months, I believe that, once you get a chance to hear them, you will be as delighted with them as I have been.
Joseph has other products in development, including new power cords, interconnects, and amplifiers.
A week ago I received the beta version of the 845 tube power amplifier. The amplifier sounds very good across the spectrum. Transients, nuance, percussion, detail, and a powerful kick drum are present. This amplifier uses various new transformers (power, output, etc), so it is a step up from the capacitor based EL34 power amplifier I previously tested.
The difference from using output transformers rather than coupling capacitors is worth the extra cost, in my opinion. The imaging is more solid and stable, especially at the frequency extremes, with the output transformers. The soundstage is deeper. I notice that my wife (who is not an audiophile but who knows good from bad) is more inclined to sing along with the system, which may indicate that the music is more engaging to her. It is to me.
The 845 amplifier is rated to 25 watts; the EL34 amplifier is rated to 6 watts. The headroom is welcome because it provides the dynamic power needed to reproduce sudden strong instrumental entries - the guitar riff, the drum beat. I've found myself startled by the effective power.
The TP2.0 preamplifier, and its successors, have been so excellent that in some regards they have overshadowed Joseph's other products. Not everyone uses a tube DAC or a phono preamplifier. But everyone will use a power amplifier and, I believe, the amps that I am testing will deliver a musical improvement similar to that of the TP preamplifiers. |
Tvad,
The power amplifiers are SETs. So far, an EL34 (~6 watts per channel) and an 845 (~25 watts per channel). |
A review of the new TP 2.2 preamplifier has been published at Positive Feedback Online. Here is the link:
http://www.positive-feedback.com/Issue49/tp2.htm
The review is very favorable. Here is the thesis of it.
"I've not come across a product that challenges my notion of what one is paying for, and what one is paying extra for. And let me cut to the chase: this may be the best value in all of high-end audio."
Ryan Coleman is the reviewer. |
