Audio Horizons TP 2.0 Preamplifier

The V-caps OIMP do indeed improve further long after the 120 hour mark. I heard nice improvements after the 150 mark, 200 mark, and 300 hour mark. The last improvement I could make out was at the 316 hour mark. The frequency extremes will also extend and smooth out as well. Whether Joseph and Victor decide that they like it better than the Hovland is subject to system synergy as well as personal preferences.

"We tried to slow the capacitors down using a balanced copper IC, and indeed, this reduced the digitalizing effect we were hearing and because slower, created a better balance between low and high frequencies, but it thickened the bass and seemed to eliminate the superior micro-detail retrieval we valued before."

I'm not sure why you would want to "slow down" the capacitors. From what I've always read, the best capacitor is no capacitor. Can a capacitor be too fast? I would think that the faster the better as the cap is doing what it is supposed to do while allowing the signal to pass with minimal interference. I'm speaking here from a Layman's point of view.

I believe that approaching the question of whether to use the V-cap or not falls into how well it works with the existing circuitry. The cap will have to offer further enhancements without sacrifice before its a permanent replacement of the stock cap and I am sure that is what Joseph and company is thinking. The existing formula works fine why mess with it unless....

Besides, this is fun seeing a manufacturer is considering it and reporting it to us.

Victor, most of us are aware that there is no single preamp out there for everyone. But its nice hearing from those who are not AH owners to bring us back to reality check. The AH is in a special group alright.

Glad you guys are working hard at improvements (phono stage).

Well, my AH has returned from the preamp spa and it is so great to be enjoying it again. All the detail is there that I have had with my ss these weeks, plus the musicality is back.

Joseph floated the board as Rx8man has suggested we do, and Joseph was able to measure a 3-5 dB lowering of the already quiet noise floor with this tweek. What I hear is nothing - dead silence, except the faintest tube rush with my ear pressed directly on the tweeter. I am running my Amperex PQ's while waiting for a quad of early sixties Telefunken E88cc's I've ordered, and searching for some awesome Siemens cca's.
I hope everyone has been enbjoying the music through thier AH preamps while I have been without mine. Anyone going for the phono stage? If so, are you getting the internal or external one?
Joe

Thanks Joe !

I'm gratified for the folks who accepted my floating board experiment and the sucess story.

Now for the acrylic lid ..................... !!