Audio Horizons TP 2.0 Preamplifier

I had the privilege of beta testing a new product from Audio Horizons a while back. It is the RTS coupler which has just been listed on A’gon last Sunday.

As a long time user of Audio Horizons products (2.0 preamp upgraded to 2.2 and 3.0 DAC upgraded to 3.1) I have always been so impressed with what Joseph and Victor have created. Of course we all know that their customer service is second to none.

I would encourage all of you to go to the ad for the RTS coupler and check it out. I won’t reiterate my comments about the product here as they are clearly elucidated in the ad. IMO, it is an amazing product that warrants an audition. I know that I could not be without it (actually I have several in the system).

Sabai...does your 2.3 come with Joseph's new tubed power supply. If not it is worth contacting him about it. It made a huge improvement in my unit. Much improved staging and dimensionality. It is very organic sounding now where it had been a touch on the clinical side previously. IMO well worth the 1k for this mod.

Sherod,

Yes I have the new fuse as well. Nice subtle improvement for sure. I also sprung for two for my 3.1 DAC.

I would contact Victor if you do have interest in the tubed power supply. He can most certainly give you quite a bit of information about its merits. I have had mine since last March and it has really transformed this preamp from very good to outstanding.

Sabai,

No it is internal and replaces the current internal power supply which is on the left side of the unit as you face the front. It uses one tube. It really made a very special improvement in the unit as I wrote about in a previous post.

Contact Victor Comerchero, spokesperson for AH, for more details. He will not steer you wrong.

I don't think it is advertised as an upgrade on his website, but I learned about it from Victor in email conversation.

Sherod,

I have a rudimentary users manual when my unit was a 2.0 but no schematic in that info. Another omission in the early manuals is the fact that the preamp inverts polarity. Make sure all who use this preamp switch positive and negative speaker cables EITHER at the amp end or speaker end (not both) to get the correct phasing.

Sabai,

I would definitely contact Victor at the email posted by Sherod. You would get a faster and more cogent reply by doing that.

Sherod,

Victor could give you the values of the caps in your preamp. I have 2 2.0uF V caps in my preamp and 4 .22uF V caps in my DAC.

Sherod

Caps you need to look at are behind the compliment of tubes on the right side in the rear of the unit. The V caps are very good. I have the TfTf's installed although if I had it to do over again I would opt for the copper V caps. Unfortunately the 2.0 copper V caps are very very pricey. Thus Joseph has opted to use the .22uF values of the copper V caps but in doing so it requires some sort to modding by Joseph in order to accommodate that value.

I can't remember what the cap upgrade cost. It was done in conjunction with other upgrades including a new wiring harness etc.

Best to email Victor for a price quote.

I will say it has been my experience that Joseph's labor costs are very reasonable in all respects.

Ken,

Haven't tried the Siemens E188CC's in positions 2 and 4 but currently am trying some Russian made Voskhod 6n23p grey plates from 1975. There are many variations of this tube but these are reputed to be the best. They are relatively inexpensive especially when compared to a CCa but comparable or even better in some aspects IMO.

Send me a PM and I can provide the email of my source.

Tom

I will have to put them on my short list. Are they grey plates from the 50-60s era?