Audio Horizons TP 2.0 Preamplifier

FWIW, I use a class D amp (H2O) with the TP 2.0. It's a very good match.

Greetings to all. I rarely post, but I've been following the action closely.

I just wanted to say that I'm very appreciative of Sherod and others for their time and efforts on testing thing so we can benefit from their experiences. It's very easy to sit back and just watch. I just wanted to say, "Thanks."

I have the 2.0 and 8.0 phono stage, the phono which has the new "mystery caps." I've found those caps to be very good and very quiet so I've been tempted to trade in the Hovlands on the 2.0. The latest thread has me going back and forth. I'm still ready to pull the trigger but the extra 75 bucks made me gulp (am I a cheap skate or what?).

One question for Sherod: how about a V-Cap bypass on the new 2.1 cap. That's one combo that hasn't been tried, right?

Sang

Sherod, I've been an avid reader of this thread. I just don't post. I know you've been a huge advocate for the TP 2.0 preamp. I also know the cap rolling that you've done. I have a lot of respect for the V-Cap and so I also tried a V-Cap bypass on the Hovlands of the 2.0. I found as you did and also more noise from the V-Cap bypass. It stuck me as ironic, however, that Joseph uses a cap bypass on the 2.1. It got me thinking wondering what a V-Cap bypass would sound like on the 2.1 as opposed to the Solen. Sang

Wow! I just had to voice my preliminary impression of the upgrades done to my TP 2.0 pre and 8.0 phono stage. I hate to simply echo the many comments that have already been posted, but I'm pretty freaked. I guess one gets quite excited when his system takes this kind of major leap forward.

Truth be told, I was a little cautious about the upgrade to 2.1 specs having read some discrepancies on this thread. I'm so glad I decided to pull the trigger. The sound that I'm getting even at this preliminary point (about 50 hours) is just plain scary. Detail, immediacy and dynamics - not much imagination is needed to hear things you only get from the live event. This is truly high end sound.

As for the 8.0 phono stage, I previously had the MM coupled with external step up transformers. The step ups were Bent Audio MUs, which are by no means slouchy. But I always felt that the 8.0 just didn't give me that last bit of excitement. All that has changed with the internal installation of the MC version of the 8.0 by Joseph. Setting aside the fact that this phono stage is just dead silent, it is simply outstanding in every way (and this is with an over-achieving, but "budget" cartridge). My comparison is to some very well-regarded phono stages, some costing 3 times the cost of the 8.0.

Please excuse my effusiveness. It comes from knowing that this pre is going to get even better time. I still have things I want to upgrade, but this preamp (which has all Siemens E88CC gray plates) is not going to be one of them.

Thanks so much, Joseph and Victor. Cheers!

Sang

System: Joule VZN 160 OTL monoblocks, ICEH2O Audio S250 Amp, Bi-amp'd Magnepan Tympani 4's (crossover mod's), Michell Orbe, SME V, Denon 103R and Koetsu Urushi, G&D Transforms Reference One CD player, Behringer DCX 2496.

*And for the record, I have no affiliation with nor do I receive anything from Audio Horizons other than their bill for services, which I appreciatively pay.

Holy Sh** I've been demo'ing the Fusion Impulse power cords that Sherod had previously discussed on this thread. Sherod wasn't kidding. This pc is monster. It is expensive, but I wanted to try it out to see if the benefits were worth it. They certainly are and then some. It's hard to believe how much better this preamp gets with every tweak.

I've tried a lot combinations, including amperexes and telefunkens. I think all Siemens is best. Two Siemens gray plate E88cc's in the 1 & 3 positions and telefunken E88CC's in 2 & 4 did sound very dynamic; however, it seemed to flatten my already flat soundstage. I think as a concept, however, combinations worked very well in the TP 2.0.

Sherods comments on the Clarity Cap MR are interesting. I've always felt that the Hovland could be improved upon, but don't have the stomach to be the pioneer. Thanks, Sherod for continuously taking the plunge. Interstingly, the "mystery caps" in the 2.1 have a copper cover on them so they are difficult to identify; however, the exposed ends seem to resemble the Clarity Cap APW. Just a coincidence I suppose.

Sang

Installed the Clarity cap in my TP 2.0n. Been only about 20 hours so far, but the improvement in immediacy and lack of noise is impressive!

Anyone know the cap values on the TP 8.0n phono stage. I was looking to swap out the caps. Yes, I could ask Joseph, but have some reluctance knowing how he's not too craze about someone getting into his units. Thanks.

200 hours on the Clarity caps. Nothing short of remarkable. Easily the best 150 bucks that I've spent on audio. My TP 2.1 is now second string and wondering how the heck the 2.0 took its job.