Audio Horizons TP 2.0 Preamplifier

I have been using the PEs (5 of them) in my home for the past 2 months. I have 3 on my AV circuit and a couple more on other circuits in my home. What Sherod reports is right on the mark. I now have a PE-4 on order as well as one of Alan's power cords. Each of my friends who have tried this tweak have reported similar results.

I 100% agree with Sherod and you should submit Joseph's best version of the preamp. As I have learned in sales we should always lead with the best product first. Folks need to know what Joseph is capable of - his best work.

I would submit the phono unit separate and also submit the best here. The reviewer can simply state you offer the option of adding this same phono stage right into the TP2.1.

Ok, the last question in my mind is the tubes to use. Here I think you should go with non - NOS's. NOS's are more of an expensive tweek that not all TP2.1 owners will want to deal with. Go with the standard tubes and with Joseph's best electronics and parts!

Bill

I would be inclined to go with your best and with the phono unit separate with clear indications of lowest price unit and ease of upgrade.
But it is a very tough question becuase if the lowest unit recieves high praises at that attractive price point, you would generate much interest(sales)with many deciding "what the heck" and upgrading right away anyway. I would provide the reviewer with a set of stock tubes as well as a set of great cca's, checking specific unit and its tubes for very carefully for microphonics before sending.

I vote for the integrated for the review. After all its Joseph's signature work that is the subject matter at hand. At this level of importance, this review can potentially put "General" chow (affectionatly speaking) on the map.

His preamp deserves full attention by all audiophiles in my opinion, stock or non-stock. Never had a preamp that had such long term staying power of holding my interest in listening. Nuff said.

-

Dear Joseph and Victor,

As with others here, I'd suggest going with the top-of-the-line version. I would also suggest that you make it extremely clear to the reviewer (and I would hope they'd include the information in the review) that there is a very accessible entry-level price point in addition to a very well-defined upgrade path for the unit being reviewed.

I consider this to be one of the strengths of the TP line; start with what you can afford and upgrade when you can, knowing that AH will take good care of your preamp.

I'm not so sure about including the stock EH tubes, though. I wasn't terribly impressed, to be truthful. After I installed the PQ White Labels, I was absolutely hooked. Perhaps you could provide the Siemens tubes already installed and a set of E-H tubes in case they want to note the differences.

As for the 8.0... I believe that you're getting into a tricky area, here. Not everyone is into vinyl... MM, or MC?... The 8.0 does increase the entry price point, making it potentially out of reach for some people... and other such considerations. Overall, I suppose I'd go for including the 8.0 as an integrated unit, but I'd make very sure that the reviewer realizes and notes that it is an OPTION.

I realize that one cannot tell a reviewer what to write, but if you provide enough information and make it clear that the TP 2.0n is a fantastic preamp at an affordable price, with a well-defined upgrade path to audio Nirvana, you should probably fare very well.

It would be my hope, too, that someone posts the review here when it's available!

Best,
Rob