Anyone famaliar with the manufacturer,and in particular this pre amp.The credentials and testimonials seem impressive.The advertised 10 day audition is appealing.
Gammajo Thanks for the info, as for tubes I have quads of Amperex pinched waist, PQ D getter,cca's, Mullards and numerous other's. I use four in my amps and have been stashing tubes away for years should be kind of fun tube rolling as I haven't done that alone for a couple years. I will try all but was a bit confused on the different tubes being used in the different positions. Thanks again for your response.
Btstrg - I was told by the AH representative, Victor that positions 1 and 3 were a bit more critical to the sound than positions 2 & 4. That is the rational for using the best tubes that you can afford there, if you can only afford two really great tubes instead of four. This comes from the cost of great cca's at times pushing $300 each. I opted however to use cca's in all four positions under the idea that it is often best to have matched tubes accross the board in a given unit and that the sound benefit was worth the cost. By being patient I think usually you can find a matched quad of whatever you want at a more reasonable cost. My quads of cca's cost me about $600 I think, and all other options such as Telefunkens, Mullards and Amperex could be found cheaper than this. Let us know what tubes you try from your current stash. And welcome to the AH "club"
Josh, I personally haven't had an opportunity to have a VTL 5.5 preamp in my system so I can't offer a comparison for you. My suggestion is that you ask the dealer to let you borrow a VTL 5.5 and listen to it in your system for a trial period. Audio Horizons has a 30 day return policy so you can get a 2.1n version to compare to the VTL in your own system. In my opinion, this is the best way for you to make your decision. Your system and room acoustics are more than likely different than your dealer's room, so get them both in your system for some serious listening with your favorite music.
Has anyone compared this to a VTL 5.5? I've listened to a BAT vk31, a recent Mcintosh pre (C200?), a mid-end CJ premiere, and didn't like any of them.
I only got to listen to the VTL 2.5 (they were out of stock of the 5.5), but I loved the sonic signature of it - the tone and timber were right where they should be for my personal tastes. I was disappointed however by the the fact that it lacked instrument separation and that the orchestra strings were bloated. The salesman told me that the VTL 5.5 corrects those two shortcomings.
I am tempted to buy this sound-unheard, but I am still debating with the VTL 5.5 whose sonic signature I know that I will enjoy.
I am getting the 2.1nR should be here Friday. I see were people are changing out tubes 1 and 3. Can I ask why those two?? I have a pretty good stash of NOS tubes I am going to be trying but am curious as to why different tubes in 1&3 and 2&4?? what do these tube locations do. Thanks for any help
Joe, I'm happy to see that you are so happy with your system that you're willing to wait until you're snowed in before you tweak your preamp anymore. I'm curious if anyone has tried the elusive Amperex pinched waist 6922 tubes. They are rare and expensive. I have not yet found a deal on a pair, but I'd love to try a pair or hear from someone who has. In the meantime, I am happy with the Siemens CCa tubes in one and three location. By the way, Markwattkiss. I am still in the final stages of previewing these new power cords, but I think I can reveal the company now. They are made by Fusion Audio. I have the Predator and Impulse models in my system. I'm still a week or so away from making a final decision, but so far, I'm very impressed.
Rja While I ultimately went with cca's in the great tube shootout with the 2.0, I liked the PQ's alot and actually kept a quad of PQ's to change out for variety within my unit. They had a very dynamic, lively and splashy sound with my equipment with no harshness.
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
Thanks Sherod. I have emailed Joseph and will upgrade my dac or pre. Not sure which would have the most impact and am getting his opinion on which to start with.
Okay, then Sherod, why haven't you upgraded to the new 2.1n package? Well, as much as I'd like to( I might in the future) I am currently enjoying my 2.0n so much that the thought of having to carefully pack up my preamp, take it to fedex on the other side of town, ship it to Joseph and wait another two weeks until I get it back, well, I hate knowing that my preamp will be away from me for so long. And also, I am currently breaking in some new power cords( to be announced soon) on both my monoblocs and preamp so I still have a couple more weeks before they settle in so I want to get the full measure of these cords before I do any other tweaking or upgrades. Kapish? What a fun hobby this is.
Well, Bill, I guess no one has yet upgraded to the new 2.1 from their 2.0. The upgrade consists of other things as well as the caps. In order to get Joseph's new caps, you have to buy the entire upgrade package. He won't sell the caps separately. I've already asked Victor. I am going to speculate that unless this new cap wasn't better, and more musical as well,that Joseph wouldn't be offering it in the new 2.1 version. Based on what Victor e-mailed me about his impressions on this new cap, he says that it is superior in every way to the current upgraded Hovland cap, i.e. more musical.
Has anyone upgraded the 2.0n to the 2.1n and can you tell us what you found? I am not entirely sure the 2.1 is "better" sounding as it just may be different sounding? I don't know as I am thinking of doing the upgrade with the new caps, but have second thoughts.
I don't want to lose some of the warmth and "tube" sound by going to the new caps. I understand the new caps may be more extended, purer etc - but are they as musical?
Here's hoping that the TP 2.1n will be a good synergistic match in your system. Have fun with the evaluation and please keep us posted these next couple of weeks on its progress. Don't forget to allow a good 72 hours to pre-burn in before you do any serious evaluations.
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
Happy five hundredth post day to all who post here! TVAD let us know what you think of the Mullards - at the present I am very happy with a sweet quad of cca's. For almost six months now I have not had the top off the unit for tube rolling. Many nights I am moved to tears by the beauty of the music - that is my final criteria.
Mark, I will tell you all the power cord brand and names in a little while. I need to get the full measure of these cords in my system before I make a final decision. So far, I'm very impressed. Maybe by week's end. Stay tuned. You know I can't keep a secret too long. I'm still living happily with the stock Hovland output caps in my TP 2.0n.
Bill, if you knew Tvad like I think I know him, I'll be willing to bet that he's already cherry-picked a NOS pair of Siemens CCa to try in locations one and three. By the way, I'm currently beta-testing( so to speak) a new, unknown power cord line and this new cord has raised my system to a new level of sonic bliss for me. I've only tried one version on my VAC monoblocs, but later this week I am going to put another version on my TP 2.0n preamp. I feel like a kid on Christmas Eve. What a thrill!
I found NOS tubes really improved the overall sound of this preamp. I highly reccommend the Siemens tubes that Joseph places in the unit as an upgrade. I tried some nice Mullards and Amperex Bugle Boy (white lbl), but over time I found the Siemens to be the perfect balance of neutrality and warmth. The Mullards were wonderful, but a little to "tubey" for my ears. Lost some of the transparency and softened up the dynamics a little to much. At first I loved them, but over time I found the above to be true.
To my ears the stock tubes lacked body and warmth and in the end were just less musical.
These comments are relative of coarse as the unit sounded very good with stock tubes. NOS's did improve the sound as noted above.
Here is some feedback on the Audio Horizons phono preamp. A friend of mine who has been auditioning one kindly lent me his for a few days. I do not have much to compare it to in terms of other phono preamps and I am not sure of the "greatness" of my cartridge, but I am putting on the same artist and title on CD and phono and listening that way A-B. I am impressed with the phono being very natural, easy and relaxed sounding yet with sparkle and snap. It is very close to the sound of excellent CDs in terms of things that CDs do well. Air and bloom are very good and sound stage is excellent. It is an ultraquiet unit. I would be very happy to purchase the AH unit. I have used Dark Side of the Moon, some Liszt Transcendental Etudes, Joan Sutherland arias, some solo guitar and piano and a symphonic piece for the comparisons. Thorens 180TD turntable, Stanton cartridge, AH preamp, Aragon 8008BB amp and Von Sweikert VR4SR speakers. Hope this helps anyone considering the phono pre.
Has anyone been able to communicate with Victor lately through e-mails? I e-mailed him and he's not responding. Also, I tried to e-mail Joseph at the last address he had: Ading@prodigy.net and the e-mail is being kicked back to me. Has Joseph changed his e-mail address?
I have read where other tube pres have worked out well for some owners of the Nuforce amps. I don't know how the TP 2.1 pre will match, but a quick e-mail to Victor would be advised.
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
STLtrains - Your query is very welcomed on the thread, sorry I have no experience with the Nuforce amps. If they mate well with other tube pres, they should do well. I know that if you email Victor with your amp specs he will check out the technical matching of the equipment for you.
The thought has crossed my mind (more than once, in fact).....but finances will force a wait, and I don't want to waste Joseph's time until I'm in a position to pull the trigger, which will be a while. However, from what I can gather, this sounds like a fabulous preamp, and it may be what I end up with. Thanks for your encouragement. The enthusiasm of Audiogon members for a product actually does mean a lot to me.
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 believe Joseph changed a chip on the digital board and upgraded the power supply bank ,installed an IEC connector so I could use his power cord. I still have the non modified player and the main difference is in dynamics, midrange and overall soundstage dimensional presentation.
Yep, he knows what he is doing and I encourage you and anyone looking in, to take advantage of his good taste when it comes to modifications. I would luv to send him my amp so he could lower the noise level. I believe this will rock my world alright. Alas, the darn thing weighs more than 50lbs due to all those power caps.
La45, Can you tell me what mods Joseph did to your Toshiba SD-3990? Also, a brief description of sound of CD's before and after mods? How much for the mod?
It was a gentleman who built it for his own system and decided to let it go since it mated extremely well with my speakers. When I looked at similar designs I could not believe the difference in power supply capacitors in comparison for about 10x the price of this amp.
The problem is I do not believe he is producing this amp anymore.
La45, I would love to know more about your amp. Who made it etc? It sounds very interesting to me. You're right about personal tastes and style. Funny thing is they change and someday I may be back to a SET amp. Don't know, but for now I am pleased with my current set up - just as you are.
Agree on all points. I believe what you are describing is personal taste and style. My system can be very dynamic (tube change, maxed out front end, etc) given the source, and since my speakers extend to 22 hz, its sufficiently scaled to my personal taste. My room is a significant component and I am glad its not so conventional.
I have been able to tweek Joseph's preamp to maximize midbass and bass dynamics with little compromise. The amp I am using is custom with 6 seperate power supplies as the main generator, so there is no craping out on dynamic peaks. So the heart is Josephs AH pre and the amp/speaker are the brains. Perhaps the only weakness is the digital front end I am temporarily using. But perhaps not.
A friend came to visit and declared the system outrageously good and was shocked at the bass output of the system.
Overall, perhaps the decision is going to be more who is the bigger audience and you are probably correct on that score. Either way, I predict he will be successful.
Front end: Modified by Joseph. Toshiba 3990 Preamp: Audio Horizons with custom isolation SET: Custom 7 watt Speakers: Gabrielle Rosinante Cables: Gabrielle Revelation Golds
You must have a verified phone number and physical address in order to post in the Audiogon Forums. Please return to Audiogon.com and complete this step. If you have any questions please contact Support.
