Gammajo your response is appreciated thank you, i have been in email contact with Victor and a gentleman he is. i have a couple of preamps that i am considering seriously along with 2.1, bryston bp26, and pass x1. its tough to buy with out trying first. thanks again |
Hello all audio horizons fans, i use nuforce se v2s amps, was checking to see if anyone has used 2.1 or 2.0 pre with nuforce amps. From what i have read here i sure would like to give 2.1r with possibly more extras a try in my system. I have a marsh p2000t pre that i use on occasion and like that tube sound with nuforce. thanks |
i have a in home audition 2.1n pre with remote and siemens tubes coming. im looking forward to hearing this preamp in my system.
also its just a pleasure dealing with joseph and victor.
a first class operation thanks guys |
i received my 2.1 yesterday and a fine looker it is, silver and wood. my audition 2.1 came with rpnb and siemens tubes. joseph also sent a transparency power cord, and ic. the remote must have upgrades in the future as a phase button along with input selection is on my remote. the phase option with be a fine addition.
i am using my wire for now, but plan on trying the supplied wire from cp.
i am letting the unit play all day for break in and will give it a good listening to in a few days.
i take it that cca tubes will bring better sound for 2.1 from reading all of the posts on this thread. |
Sherod thanks for your reply, your description of what cca does in your system is a must for me. compared to my nuforce p-9 for now the 2.1 is a little short in upper extension but better on the bottom. i am not drawing any conclusions yet just early observations.
do you know what if any upgrades are planed for the extras on the remote. |
Gammajo i am auditioning a 2.1 and i will say this about digital to vinyl. i am like you on the ratio. i have played cds during my time with 2.1 and i am very pleased with digital play back through 2.1. it still does not rank with vinyl in terms of transparency and resolution, but all in all digital played through 2.1 has great musical playback and easy listening. IMHO
i have discovered by trying myrtle wood, aurios, brass footers, that brass footers improves imaging, and adds more transparency and air than the others. IMHO
after a great night of staying up way late rocking and rolling that this 2.1 is coming along very well. upper air and a smooth transparent sound is getting more and more apparent. bass with super slam, and magical mids, this tubed preamp mates very well with my amps
i listen to classic rock most and had the volume turned up and had a real pleasing night of music. |
Here is my impression of 2.1 after more than 120 hrs. superlative bass with slam and real control. The mid range is smooth, rich and gooey. Upper end sounds like percussion and upper octaves of electric guitars have individual and unique sound with air and transparency.
i am so excited with this 2.1, that i was able to get some early 60s seimens cca tubes which are on there way. i just could not resist and had to hear that additional air and transparency that is written about on this thread.
its a nice rainy day and perfect for music so its time for some rock and roll. |
Alright guys gooey is that tubie sound that only a tubed piece of gear can deliver. just my opinion thought i would add a juicy type of word to the already loaded audiophile dictionary.
Sherod the ear 834p is my backup phono amp. the marsh p2000t is my preamp backup. i really hate it when my system is down because of upgrades or problems. so i have a few spares.
the wife and me on most nights have some sort of sports on with rock and roll playing for our musical enjoyment.
Sherod you are being to kind with the photo. we love music, but going to the beach ranks right up there to. and thanks for the kind words on our system it has been a long road getting a system going again after the total loss of all due to katrina, or should i say the federally failed levee system and dumb ditch canal. what a joke.
pardon me if i got off of the audio discussion. |
Well being a saint fan thank goodness i have the best medicine for the pain of going 0fer, our system.
My loner AH 2.1 seems to be mating very well with my Nuforce amps and Tyler Linbrook Signatures. This group of components are throwing a super music stage, with detail and definition. Great imaging and musical satisfaction.
After yesterdays debacle in the dome we came home put some shrimp on the BBQ and preceded to play some serious rock and roll. Along with our favorite grape juice of course.
When we are doing sit down serious listening the source is my analog front end. i just got a very nice copy of King Crimsons Court of the Crimson King. This lp is recorded very nice, and it sounds great in our system. We proceeded to play lps until 10 last night. A good 6 hr music session.
No fatigue or drifting just a super evening and night of music. And the best medicine for the saints blues. |
Sherod i was talking to the wife about the RMAF and being from a area thats some what lacking in audio stores i am giving serious thought into making nexts years show.
I would love to be able to have a better perspective of audio gear thats available. After 40 plus years of enjoying this hobby i have never been to a hifi show of any kind. Its on my list of things to do.
I sure would like to get a few others in the area to form some sort of a audio get together thing. so far no luck. |
"Oh, the life of the continuously upgrading audio hobbiest. If only I could leave well enough alone sometimes."
Sherod if this is not the audio truth i dont know what is. I think its the explorer in guys that drives us to this end.
On the CCAs i understand your concern, with the cost of those tubes. Am i correct 10 thousand hrs for a NOS CCA, thats a long time. Mine came today but i wasnt home to sign for them. Tomorrow i will be finding out what the CCA magic is all about. Your quote above qualifies, the siemens that Joseph supplies with 2.1 are sounding very good. but i have to explore.
I love this hobby and quest for the best sound i can afford.
If you chime in Victor how did it go at RMAF. |
Tvad my audition 2.1 had 50hrs on it according to Victor. There operation is so customer friendly that its a super pleasure to deal with Joseph and Victor at Audio Horizons. |
Got the CCAs today opened up 2.1 and i must say the layout is superior. Removed the ecc88s that Joseph included cleaned and used the smallest amount of walkers sst on the pins. Joseph had small rubber dampers on the 88s so i put them on the CCAs and installed them in 2.1.
Right off the bat the difference is quite audible. I was told that 80 plus hours will be needed for the nos CCAs to get well broke in.
The only thing i have noticed is a ping from the left side when you tap 2.1 that wasnt there with the 88s.
Now i think i understand what all the excitement is about with siemens CCA tubes being used with Audio Horizon gear.
Sherod hang in there your going to be alright with your upgrade give it some time to work into your system and enjoy the music. |
Gammajo thanks for the input on my pinging or i should say microphoning. Will try what you mentioned. Did you mean lifting the pcb that the tubes mount to? Going to play with it tonight.
The 2.1 with cca tubes makes this already fine preamp a killer preamp. And i am not even using the balanced inputs. Do you guys have balanced units. If so whats your thoughts.
The pinging is bothersome only when changing lps. I just might blow off dealing with pinging tonight and just relax and play some good old classic rock and roll.
thanks again Gammajo |
Hello guys and let me say thats what i love about this great hobby the support and responses from fellow audiophiles when in need.
This is what i did. I swapped front to back and removed the damper. Same ping but right channel instead of left. I inserted one of the ec 88s into slot 4 and tried no ping. Slots 1 and 3 are the ones i want the CCAs in so i still have most of the benefit of the CCAs. Going to contact my seller and see what he has to say.
Thanks again all. |
I put a ec 88 in slot 2 to have balance. Contacted my tube man and as you guys know the cost of ccas is well, a sellers market. I hope to hear from him tomorrow.
I have made so many changes that i think i need a good nights listening to get my bearings.
Gammajo but as far as i can tell with a short time with out the rings i believe more air and a delicate sound. I had a hard time finding a difference with half cca and ec 88 to.
Like Sherod said if we could just leave well enough alone. but nooo we have to experiment and try different things. |
Well all i dont have a audition 2.1 any longer. I'm not letting this fine preamp go anywhere I'm buying it. It was not a easy decision as my nuforce p-9 is also a very good performer. Very quite, fast, but in the end i have warmed up to the sweet tubed sound of Josephs very fine 2.1 preamp.
This preamp seems to match up exceptionally well with my ref 9 se v2s and linbrook signature system. Along with my jps sc2 ics and speaker cables i am getting sound that i hope to live with for a long while.
Going to leave the explorer in me locked up and enjoy the beautiful sounds of music i am hearing now from my system. My analog front end is certainly providing the source for a clean, sweet, delivery of musical sounds.
I would like to give Joseph and Victor a big thank you for designing, manufacturing, and running a audio company that puts out super fine gear and offers a high level of customer satisfaction. |
Sherod I'm very glad you have the sound back that is to your liking. Its a fine line especially when you have already achieved and had that special sound, then its gone way to go you explorer you.
Last night was lp cleaning night for me and now that i have switched to walkers prelude system, the time factor is doubled. From what i can hear its worth the extra time though. Bad part a lost night of music.
I'm going to poll you guys as i have a decision to make. I asked for a 2.1 nrp to audition and was sent a 2.1 nbrp. I have not used the balanced connections. Victor is sending me a xlr ic for me to try balanced out. I know Grannying prefers balanced. How do the rest of you feel about balanced connections. I dont have any source gear that is balanced. My amps do take both rca and balanced ic. Its a 800 dollar upgrade. And for me as with most every dollar is valuable. |
Hello Rx8man did you get my pm. looking to get your tube float kit. thanks |
I was checking our posts and saw the number 666 as the number of posts to this thread. not any longer.
Guys and gals have a great musical weekend. |
Hello all i have seen a few mentions of floating the tubes. Do you mean taking the 4 screws out and just letting the board sit or do you put something under it? |
Super review in my opinion from a respected and fine web site. I like the short but well put informed reviews. It also seems that AHs interconnects and power cords are in favor at 10 audio.
Congratulations Joseph and Victor and all at Audio Horizons for a positive review of your gear. I hope more are to come.
Also thanks all for your input on balanced ics. I should have a balanced ic from Joseph this week to hear for my self. |
Well guys i took the good advice and played with moving my speakers. Yes it made my sound better by a wide margin. Before the move my speakers were approx. 7 feet apart. Towed in some what. Now they are spread out a few more inches and just barley towed in. For those who have not tried this with the addition of 2.1 do your self a favor and do it.
On another front the wife has had it with the carpet in our great room and we are going with wood. I am hoping for the best for not losing the find sound i am getting now. We bought a large 8X10 area rug for between the seats and speakers. I guess thats progress.
Wishing all the best to you guys and gals... |
Hey Sherod i was in your situation until Thursday, we have been installing a glued wooden floor in our great room and my system had to come down, 10 days. if there ever is a next time i will pay some one to install the floor.
now i am trying to get the sound i had with wall to wall carpet. looks like i'm going to have my work cut out for me to achieve that.
Victor sent me a pair of balanced ics i put them in yesterday. one thing that i noticed is the bass is more under control compared to rcas. this is my first usage of balanced ics and with my room completely different sound wise its tough for me to get a handle on them.
well all have a good one. |
Hello all i am up and running, i have my room acoustically hooked up and sounding great after the new floor install. I have taken Tvads lead and have a pair of lessloss PCs coming for my Ref 9 se V2s. They are so backed up its taking longer than expected. I also have some of Josephs Dimension biwired speaker cables on the way along with a Dimension rca for phono amp to 2.1. Santa came to south Louisiana early ho ho ho. Wishing all a very Merry Christmas and happy holidays. |
i just received bi-wired Dimension speaker and a rca interconnect for between my phono amp and 2.1. i was so impressed with Dimension xlr between 2.1 and my amps i had go the entire system with Dimension wire. Joseph burned them in but i think they need a little more time before full break-in. for the price you get a super value in cables in this out of site part of audio IMO. I dont see much other than the price of Dimension on AHs web site but take it from me this is some fine wire. |
Sherod glad your system is up and running, man it would be a real bummer for me and the wife to be with out music.
My AH speaker cables have fully broke in and no doubt Josephs wire is first class in build and sound very impressed.
I have Lossless PCs ordered since early Dec. Still no delivery. Looking forward to giving them a try hopefully soon.
Wishing all the very best sound this New Year. |
Mitch here is a email i received from Joseph regarding the differences in Transparency and Dimension, this was last month. Maybe he doesnt want the conductor material known, not sure though. Maybe he will chime into this discussion.
The geometry is total different in between them, Dimension takes double time to build and the material.
Best,
Joseph |
Frankk i auditioned both balanced and non, i went with balanced due to the super quite delivery. i could have lived with the non balanced 2.1 for sure.
you will be very happy with the non balanced 2.1. you may want to look into some tube rolling when the time and your pocket book are right.
i'm sure other posters to this thread will chime in.
welcome and enjoy. |
Sherod to a nube here i have to say if it wasnt for your posts to this thread i may not be a Audio Horizons owner now. glad you are happy in music again. keep us posted on 2.0
My new dimension wire is settled into my system and i am very pleased. replaced my JPS superconductor 2 wire.
Got my Lossless PCs in and using them with my nuforce amps very well made and sounding power cords. they replaced my black sand violets. |
Mitch i understand your frustration with Audio Horizons Web site concerning Dimension ICs and Speaker wiring. The only mention is the price list. Let me say though that after getting and using Dimension ICs and speaker wire i am totally floored at its quality build and of course its musical presentation. In my case i retired my JPS Superconductor 2 ICs and speaker wire. I would not have believed it. Now my whole system is Dimension wire. I went the same route as you the 30 day trial. I believe that before you buy if possible you should try. Hope this helped and good luck. |
Clio09 this is what i think Joseph is doing with his options in a line stage preamp. 2.1 is available in what needs the buyer wants for his system or what he can afford. And a good thing i think.
I would be interested in what your thoughts are if you get a phono equipped 2.1. |
I was going to install them myself. It won't be till later in the
Summer before I can get the power supply upgrade. I refuse to be
Without music. What's your thoughts rx8man?
Mike |
Hey all nice to read new posts. My 2.1 along with the rest of my system is in tune and sounding fine. Dont know about you guys and gals but i have been getting in some long and satisfying music sessions and spending less time on the net and more time listening to the music. All have a super Memorial day weekend to you that served thank you. |
I have not looked back using my SE V2s with Audio Horizons 2.1 a real music pleaser combo IMO. |
Victor i like your idea for 2.1 and will be checking this thread for the release of your new upgrade. I could not be any happier with my AH preamp. I know if you have ideas for making that fine unit better i am all for it.
On the input side i would like a phase reversal switch. Vinyl is my front end of choice for superior sound and some lps are pressed out of phase, a phase SW would make life easier.
Rgs92 i am also a Beatles disciple and read you post on the early recordings. Have you tried the MFSL or the English blue box recordings on vinyl, no problems with upper frequencies. I was going broke trying to find early pressing that had good sound. I still give early lps a shot but enjoy my reissues better sound wise. |
Thanks for the update Victor keep us informed of further progress with upgrade of 2.1. I am in between lps and have to mention just how fine of a job Audio Horizons has done with 2.1, i could not be any happier. Looking forward to what you guys have in mind on improving this fine preamp. |
Markwatkiss is it humming with no inputs connected.
I also have been enjoying my AH without any problems just great musical enjoyment. Though i am using Siemans cca i am looking into trying different tubes to hear what Telefunken and others would bring.
Its been a while since the announcement of upgrade to 2.1 by Joseph is any word known on this upgrade. |
La 45 if you are ever down to the big easy get in touch and we will pass a good time.
For those interested, upgrades to 2.1 will be forth coming a reply from Victor by email.
Sometime in November we will announce two new upgrades for 2009. They are expensive upgrades, one affecting the entire power supply, and one providing another level of upgrade quality to the circuit and caps. Combined, the two would provide a dramatic increase in the performance of older 2.0 and 2.1 preamps.
I will have more to say about this on the discussion forum and in a newsletter later this month.
|
La45 i use Dimension balanced, rca ics, bi speaker wiring and can say they help create my systems believable 3d airy presentation. Thats because they seem to have no impact of there own just pass sound clearly. Well made and highly transparent.
BTW are you located in any area near La45. |
Yes La45 i am enjoying Josephs Dimension ics and speaker wire. I have compared them to JPS superconductor 2, and Josephs Transparency line.
I've been to AHs web site recently and see it has changed some. What i dont understand it the lack of description concerning Dimension cables. One thing i noticed though is the price has not changed since i made my purchase and thats a good thing.
I am in Louisiana and drive La 45 every day.
Have a good one. |
I emailed Victor and Audio Horizons several times in the past 5 months about the upgrade with out a response from AH. Mighty strange i would say.
Hoping all is OK with Victor and Joseph. I'm a happy music lover with my 2.1nrb with early 60s Siemens CCAs. |
Victor i was checking about the upgrade to 2.1. Likely what Rx8man has in mind. No big deal for sure as i am quite happy with my AH preamp. Thanks for responding. Mike |
Sherod thanks to your findings with clarity caps and Josephs announced upgrade Audio Horizon preamp users will be getting a better preamp, and to improve on what i hear now from my 2.1 NBR i cant wait. What i mean is i could not be more satifyed now with 2.1 hours on end with complete musical enjoyment.
Many thanks to you Sherod for your efforts and to you Victor and Joseph for the up coming improvements.
Mike |
That's a nice pic sherod the lay out is different than 2,1 for
sure. Keep us updated on further developments. |
I contacted Victor last week and he responded to me, power supply upgrade was 500.00. They were at that time still looking for suppliers of Clarity and other manufacturers of caps to put a price on that upgrade. Turn around time one week.
I'm most interested but dont want to be with out my system. This will give me time to hear what others think about this upgrade as my next planed vacation is months down the line.
I'm enjoying music daily and have no problem with the sound of my system using the stock 2.1rnb. But like my last and most recent upgrade my speakers a huge audible move upwards, i'm thinking this upgrade to 2.1 will be another positive move and hopefully worth the price.
Mike |
Rx8man I'm in a holding pattern waiting for
My claritys to arrive. Between Sherod and your
Comments It won't be a minute to soon. I'm like you
Daily enjoying the music keep us updated.
Mike |
Wow Sherod thats a little close for comfort. I love the way the country is moving &*%#@!?<+-.... yea right, sorry i know this is not the place for this.
Rx8man my job involves soldering in tight spots and componets ive been doing it for a while it should not be a big deal. But i thank you for the reply.
Does anyone know if Victors Clarity upgrade is just caps or is some other components included?
No doubt the dude has been getting a lot of posts here and other sites.
Bill when you say by a large margin could you expand on that for us?
Mike |
Gammajo you wrote it well in your post. I am so happy with my systems sound now that playing the equipment in and out game is not on my list any longer. Yes i can go along with upgrades to my gear thats a no brainer. And with AH, Nuforce, Tyler, Sora sound, and others in my fold its most definitely more than the gear. First class customer service and friendly business models are so refinishing and appreciated. And when it all comes together with a sound that is music to the ears quoting cousin Eddy "BINGO"
Markwatkiss nice jingle for the masses i'm sure.
Mike |
Caps and coils is where I purchased mine very reasonable for another
Option.
Mike |
