Audio Horizons TP 2.0 Preamplifier

I have also had no trouble in the two years with the 2.0 preamp - just the way I like it!

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?

I'll fourth the same suggestion, stay with making preamps (with room for future upgrades),
it's Joseph's forte'.

Besides, as quiet as the preamp is, it sounds as if power conditioning is already incorporated within it.

I'd like Joseph to design a TP model with a really killer power supply and call it the TP 2.2 ?

I third the power conditioner adventure,too many already,stick with your core business.Still happy with my 2.0n,now that there is a suggestion of a new top tier pre amp in the wind I don't have to concern myself with upgrading to a 2.1.Enjoy the rest of summer everyone.

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.

Sherod, we are pushing ahead with our plans for a further top end upgrade to the 2.0-2.1, but we are encountering some difficulties given how extensive some of the changes have to be. We're still working on them and how to make them generally available. In any event, that upscale upgrade will not be introduced until 2009.

Victor

Ahh Sherod,

You are a breath of fresh air. You are right on the money regarding "over-saturated" market for AC Conditioners. And I agree why distract Joseph from coming out with the improvements that will benefit all AH owners more. The power cord does it all anyway and it can be further tweeked.

I removed the solder and cleaned both ends then used "bare" crimping on the plugs for a clean connection.
Power cord hunting ended that day.

Personally I think that the market is already over-saturated with AC power conditioners. Unless Joseph can introduce something very cost-effective and revolutionary, I think he'd be better off focussing on his previous plans of introducing a unique power amplifier. Also, Victor, how are the plans going for an upgraded SOTA preamp which you mentioned in a previous thread?

One of our customers was so impressed with the Transparency AC Power Cord he sold all his high end cords, and while at it suggested that Joseph design and market a power conditioner. Frankly we had never even considered it. I would appreciate hearing your thoughts on his suggestion.

Victor

Frank, thanks.

Rgs92.
Luxman has a new preamp with tone controls also.

As we all know audiophiles look down on tone controls but will spend $100's and even $1000's on cables to do the same thing. I for one would welcome tone controls if it could be done without degrading the signal, perhaps as you suggested by switching it out.
Frank

stltrains, thank you for the suggestions. Unfortunately,
I only use CD/SACD as a source.

Victor,
With this new, upgraded version on Joseph's drawing board, will this be available as an upgrade to the older 2.0 as well as the 2.1 or will it be different enough in topology to qualify it as an all new model preamp? Without giving any proprietary details away, can you tell us what the basic improvements will be? Will the upgrades be mainly in the linestage circuitry or the power supply?

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.

Total heresy here but I'll toss out the suggestion anyway:
optional tone controls (mainly the ability to roll off highs for bad recordings). I use it on my McIntosh C46 judiciously
and find it hard to live without. (Just try listening to early Beatles without it.)
There is an underground demand for this, even if it degrades the performance a bit.
Even if you don't use it for your speakers, it's great for headphone listening (Grados and AKGs really benefit from some roll off, as do many speakers.) I like to feed my headphone amp from my preamp to get remote volume control capability (most headphone amps have no remote),
and the treble roll-off is really needed sometimes.
As an option, this would be great. Of course, there should be a bypass switch. I think it would set your preamp apart from the field, as no competitor offers it (except Mac and Accuphase, as far as I can see.) Thanks!

Sherod, I have asked Joseph to update the interior photos of the TP 2.1n and nB, at least in the ads. We are soon going to thoroughly redesign the web site.

On another note: Given how frequently the Audio Horizons preamplifier is compared to preamplfiers costing far more, as recently evidenced by the posts comparing the $3270 TP 2.1nB to the $9000 Modwright 36.5, Joseph and I have been entertaining a further extensive upgrade that will still keep our top of the line preamplifier under $4000 but hopefully end some of our auditioner's reservations when comparing our top of line 2.1 to more expensive units. These plans are still on the drawing boards, but theoretically what we envision will yield substantial sonic benefits. The present versions would not change; we would just add another layer of excellence at the top. I would appreciate hearing your thoughts not only about such an upgrade but any thoughts you have about what you think should be added to the present preamplifier to raise it to an even higher level of excellence.

Thanks for you support.

Victor

I recently looked at a current ad photo of a TP 2.1nb preamp and the photo shows the power supply board without the added two caps and with the extra two diodes. If this isn't current, why hasn't Victor updated the photos as previously mentioned? Current photos would help in eliminating confusion in identifying the differences between the original 2.0 vs. the current 2.1. The current photo does show the new caps on the line board. I'm contemplating retrying the new caps in the outputs vs. the original Hovlands as I heard a bigger difference in the wire harnesses than anything else. YMMV (O:

Tvad...thx. I agree with your guestimate, but understand that unless you compared both in the same system at the same time, you never know. I'm sure the AH is great, especially at the price point, but the MW should be competitive with cost no object designs. Thx again.

My opinion,you have to audition both,to make an educated guess is sorta like trying to predict the weather.There's just too many variables with system synergies and prejudices.

It doesn't seem that anyone has compared the Modwright 36.5 two box pre to the AH 2.1. Anyone interested in an taking an educated guess as to how they might compare? Other than probably sounding different would you think that they are in the same league sonically, even thought the MW is 3X the cost OR do you think that due to the 3X factor and the separate PS the MW would have the edge? Please just email me personally if you have any ideas but would rather not post...thx

Thanx for placing us in the 900 club.

The most interesting thread that I've ever read. I know there was one comparison with the Modwright 9.0 vs. the AH2.1. Has anyone compare the AH 2.1Bnr with the MW two box 36.5?....thx

I have not looked back using my SE V2s with Audio Horizons 2.1 a real music pleaser combo IMO.

RX8man, Did you here a modded TP through the Audio Horizons/Nuforce 9SEV2 combo? I'm ready to ship my TP to Dan for the tube output stage. But that's still a 2K upgrade! Since I don't own a pre, I seem to be spinning my wheels between modding the TP and adding a pre, or both.

I guess I'm just looking for the best combo to pair my current TP and Nuforces. I've only owned 1 tube pre in my life, an AR LS15. It didn't pair well with my Nuforces.

Is it my imagination or are there some excellent 3 to 5K offerings in the preamp world these days?

Audio Horizons after upgrades
Modwright 9.0 sig\36.5 (36.5 I can get a barely broken in unit for 3.9K)
Audio Horizons
Parasound JC-2
Antique Sound labs Flora

The Audio Horizons TP 2.0 sounds heavenly with the NuForce 9 V2 SE's.

I already heard a modded, tubed Transporter into the same amps and was not nearly as impressed.

This thread has drawn me to consider this preamp. I currently use my Transporters volume control straight to my Nuforce 9 SEV2's. Now I'm thinking if sending my TP to Modwright for the tube output stage and trying the AH 2.1.
I was thinking about the Modwright 36.5, Parasound JC-2 or the Antique Sound Labs Flora. I wonder what the advantages\disadvantages are between these fore mentioned pre's? I was hopeful for HT bypass but it seems these manufacturer's bypassed that option - no pun intended.

Well since you are curious, I replaced the GG with the Grover Hoffman and my favorite the Acrotec . I am working on upgrading in other areas of my system right now. The GG are my "reference" cables no doubt the best I have ever had. They are sorely missed.

Right now I am very excited about the Red Wine Audio amplifier combo with the AH.

For Glory's benefit here is my "B list" of pre amps that fell in the wake of the AH.
Cary 98L
Aesthetix Calypso
Supratek Syrah
Lamm LL2
Have a good week everyone.

Sherod,

I have read all the posts and find it amazing that some of the well reviewed preamps where sold for the AH 2.0/2.1.

I was hoping for a response for some resent "new owners" that have sold their preamps to move over to AH.

La45,

When I bought the GG Rev. off you you stated to me that you were upgrading to the Rapture. Sales pitch? =8^)

Correction: I meant early "posts" of this thread. Glory, if you'll take a while to start at the beginning of this thread, a lot of answers might be there for you. This thread goes back to about two years ago.

If you go back to the early threads, a couple of top contenders that were replaced with the TP 2.0 were the Aesthetix Calypso and I believe the Supratek Syrah. Rx8man replaced his Counterpoint SA-5000 with the TP 2.0.

La45,

Why are you a ex GG fan and what did you find better?

I have 3 Rapture cables and think they are outstanding.

What are some of the preamps that you AH owners had that you sold to "upgrade' to the 2.1?

Sherod,

Just to remind the folks the AH 2.0 was compared to a few preamps that are thousands more. I was searching for which preamps were mentioned besides the Audio Research Reference.

I second and agree with Sherod on the YMMV but can't lose on either the AH 2.0 or 2.1. Take it from a previous Gabriel Gold fan.

Regards

Glory,
I have the original TP 2.0n version and I love its natural sound. It is far from being dark or muddy. Of course, it is dependent on the power cord, interconnects, and tubes used in the system. In my system, using Von Gaylord Chinchilla interconnects from pre to amp, Fusion Audio Impulse power cord, and a pair of early Siemens Cca tubes in locations one and three, the sound is very lifelike, dynamic and natural. Also, buying new from AH gives you the return policy if it doesn't synergize in your system. I'm not in any hurry to do any upgrading with my preamp. Please also note that I was one who spent the $375.00 to upgrade to the 2.1 version and I eventually went back to my original 2.0 version. YMMV. I personally feel that you'd have to spend a great deal more money to get a better preamp.

What is the price for the upgrade to 2.1? It seems to me that the 2.0 for sale is dying and the 2.1's have sold rather quickly.

I have a Audio Note 300B power amp and a ASR Exclusive Phono amp and I need a pre amp. I tried the AN M3 but it was dark and muddy sounding.

The DeHavilland UV-2 and the Herron are also on my list, but the posts here are getting me interested in this pre amp. The same thing happened to me on the Gabriel Gold thread and the members there were right on with their take on Steve's cables.

Victor -

Wow! That would be great, as I already appreciate the sound, though I do observe a difference from Redbook playback. (I needed to do this setup on a budget.)

Can't wait!
Rob

Rob, within the next 45 days, Audio Horizons will make an announcement about how to rip and play CD's similar to the way you are, but in a way that not only does not degrade the fidelity, it actually enhances it.

Keep an eye peeled for my post in about 30-45 days.

Victor

I'm late chiming in due to travels.

Still have the TP 2.0n (Amperex PQ White Labels), and still lovin' it.

Victor - I did something a bit different for downloaded music. I've ripped my collection to Apple Lossless, stored on an external disk hanging off an Airport Base Station wireless router. I hook my MacBook Pro via USB to a HagUSB device, then feed that into the digital input on my Resolution Audio Opus 21 CDP, utilizing the DAC internal to the Opus. It works well and is easy to set up any time I want to use it. Perhaps not the greatest fidelity, but "Party Shuffle" makes up for it when I'm out on the deck.

Rob

Yes - going from North Carolina to Ashland Oregon. Thanks for the compliment and yes, here nothing is selling over 300K. We are mainly fed by the Florida market and they can't sell. It will be interesting.

Gammajo,
Very lovely home you're selling. I know its a tough market, but hopefully you'll sell it soon. Where are you moving to? As I recall, you were moving cross country.

Better late than never. I was in Portugal and just came back to see that the thread has re-ignited. I am still enjoying my AH 2.0n1/2B. But since we have put the house on the market a few months ago we had to stage the great room, resulting in moving the speakers and removing the grand piano as shown http://www.visualtour.com/shownp.asp?t=1431481&sk=30&prt=10003.

Boy did that ever crap up the sound - now the windows just bounce the sound around and put one's teeth on edge except at low volumes. So I am listening quite a bit less and when I do it is mostly Bach Goldberg Variations type music. I can tolarate about another month of this and then I will really begin to pout :)

Yes you may want to reconsider using the super tube,I was advised personally by Joseph not to go there.I still owe Sherod a beer in that regard.

sherod ~ joseph is aware of my usage of the 6h30pi, thx for the page reference.

Regarding the 6h30 tube, Jojo, go back to page 6 and 7 of this thread and read where Markwattkiss was going to try this tube as a replacement.

Jojo,
Did you check with Joseph about using the 6h30pi as a replacement? As I recall the 6h30 tube has different filament and power supply requirements than the e88cc tube.

hi sherod ~ sorry for the late reply. not sure about
the answer regarding the sovtek since i don't know much
about tubes. i got my ah with eh tubes on #2&3 with the
low noise siemens on #1&3 but later switched to the sovtek
6h30pi after hearing a more favorable difference. i'm still deciding whether to upgrade to the 6h30dr hence my previous inquiry, i'm also considering the nos siemens cca, maybe i should pay joseph a visit soon in order to compare the two different sounding aforementioned tubes, it has been a while since i paid joseph a visit, i hear also that he's a quite ping pong player will see about that :o).

Thank you for your kind complement on my system, Luis. It has been a labor of love for me. After my divorce a couple of years ago, I had to start all over again with my stereo system. My goal was to work within a limited budget and assemble a state-of-the-art system within that budget. I feel that I've succeeded. My main system sounds more natural and gives me more pleasure than any system I've ever had and I've had much more expensive components in the past.
I also have been wondering what out friend Pat( Rx8man) has been up to. I think he's been hanging out on another chat forum. Last time I talked to him, he was acquiring a pair of Nuforce monoblocks and was deciding which pair of monitors he was going to try out.
Stltrains, I'm glad to hear that you're still enjoying your system. I look forward to reading about the updates you've made to it.
May everyone have a safe and enjoyable Memorial Day. Although I never saw actual battle, I gave Uncle Sam four years of my life. I don't regret it either. He gave me back a GI Bill to finish my college education.