Audio Horizons TP 2.0 Preamplifier

Well I haven't compared the AH to a Ref 3 but I have compared it to a Lamm L2 Ref - the AH was returned. Its a very nice preamp and a great value at its pricepoint but unlike everyone else here it just didn't float my boat. My next audition will be the ARC LS-26.

Wow! The first person to say that they've returned the AH preamp. Thanks for your candor. Hopefully the AR preamp will be more to your liking, Rgd. Keep us posted on your impressions after your evaluations.

Sherod,

No evaluation yet, he's been waiting a long time for the Ref 3, and is quite irritated.

As usual, this whole preamp scenario boils down to break-in procedure, your electricity supply, your system, your tube selection (if applicable) your ears and preferences.

I'd like to arrange a comparison, or if someone else here can compare or borrow a Ref 3, that's fine too, I'm curious to hear the results.

Rdg
Thank you for your input. May I ask what your source, amp and speakers are and whether your room is accoustically treated? I am very curious to see what the AH does well with and what perhaps is better served by a different pre.
Joe

Source is a Sony xa9000es for SACD and a transport into an Audio Note DAC 2.1x for redbook. Amp is a Bryston 14B-SST. Speakers are Talon Audio Ravens. Treatments are minimal with Eighth Nerve response treatments.

The AH was burned in 24/7 over 3 weeks with a tuner signal running through it (when I wasn't listening to it) and I have three 20A dedicated lines one of which is allocated to the preamp.

The following preamps were recently in my system; Lamm LL2 deluxe, Hovland HP-100, Bryston BP-26 and Lamm L2 ref. The AH is a very nice preamp and certainly a huge value as it ran very well agaisnt the Hovland and "baby" Lamm. As for the Lamm L2 ref it just brought more to the party - better dynamics, deeper soundstage and more detail/realism than any other preamp thats been in my rack.