Audio Horizons TP 2.0 Preamplifier

I have had my 2.1 upgraded from 2.0 for two weeks now and I do find it does many things better then the original version. I have outlined these things in my posts.

The unit is to my ears quite different sounding from the 2.0. I do miss some of the warmth of the 2.0. My unit must have 80 hours or so on it now. It would be very nice to have both versions at once to A/B. My speakers tend to be on the warm side as well as my front end. The AH cable is on the warm side also. If my dac/transport , wire and speakers were more on the "bright" side of things I could see where my system may be tilted to the bright or in-your-face side of things.

With the balance of my current system the upgraded 2.1 works well. I know the unit is still changing as I am playing a couple of disc's over and over as the unit breaks in.

I will post more on the chages after 100 hours like Sherod.

Bill

strltrains - also take off the rubber dampers and see what it sounds like. It should be much more lively and dynamic. My cca's were very much better without dampers. Of course you have to watch for microphonics, but floating the circuit board or slightly and gentley widening the pins may do this if needed without damping the sound.

Gentlemen,this thread is smokin.As you may recall I acquired a REF 3 several weeks ago and have been auditioning and comparing with my TP 2.0nB.Time to share my impressions.
The system:
SOURCE:Denon 3910,fully modified by Audio Reference Mods
INTERCONNECTS:RCA silver handcrafted one metre length
PRE AMPS:AH TP 2.0nB/REF 3
INTERCONNECTS:Silver Bullet 6 XLR's
AMPLIFICATION:Cary V12,modified by Sounds Good To Me(really)
SPEAKER CABLES:ZU Bi wire
SPEAKERS:Innersound EROS 3 Electrostats (passive version)
POWER CORDS:Several after market power cords none of which is expensive or exotic.

To particularize the tube complement in the AH is a quad of
Siemens NOS ECC81.Power cord is a simple Belden one metre length.
Tube complement in the REF 3 is the a quad of Sovtek 6H30P dual triodes plus a 6L6GC and 6H30P in the power supply.
Power cord is factory issue and the size of a small Anaconda I might add.
Both pre amps were auditioned on a variety of my favourite recordings.
FINDINGS:
1.The REF 3 gets everything right,from the strike of a piano key to the pluck of a guitar string.On live recordings there is just more information,in one instance the distinct variations in the pace of the audience hanclapping was evident.A ring of a cell phone and the chuckle of a band member,although subtle was audible.
2.There is a sense of utter poise to the music,the performance is effortless,kinda like Roger Federer on the tennis court.Dynamics are fast and rich,timbres deep and profound.The timing and texture of presence and aliveness is seductive.
3.The balance control is a neat feature,also the remote,now I don't have to rise as often to adjust the volume or pour another glass of wine.
4.Build quality,fit and finish are superb which I would expect from AR,and so it is with the AH.
5.In both units the bass is authoritative and accurate,I could discern no audible difference.The REF 3 shines in the mid and upper ranges it's like uncovering another layer of music,just that little extra level of detail.
In terms of low noise floor both units exhibited dead black silence.
Soundstaging and presentation went to the REF,but not by much.
WHAT DO I KNOW:
1.I know the REF 3 is 4 times the $$$$ of my AH.I find that the REF 3 is superior in the overall presentation of music.
I am of the opinion that side by side blind immediate comparisons would bear this out.Having said that,I believe,taking into account your comments,that if I upgrade my unit to the TP2.1 status ,splurge on a quad of Siemens cca's,and upgrade the power cord that the performance would equal the REF 3 and I would still be ahead about $5K.
2.There is something endearing about AH,Joseph Chow and his trusty left winger that appeals to me.I want these guys to make it and I'm very content to stay in this famalia.
3.I believe I can make improvements elesewhere in my system that will give me a bigger bang for the buck.
I hope you enjoyed the read,it was my first time.

Please be gentle with me my audiophile friends. I am considering to buy the Rogue 99/ Halcro Mc20 to drive my LFT ET8bs. I owned the Bp26/ 4BSST/ Paradigm S2 and sold them all in a month. Huge soundstage but kind of flat and imaging is not quite "there". I love dipole sound and settle down for the ET8Bs that I consider my reference speakers that I will build my system around. In short, Would the TP2.1 better than the 99 in term of sound stage and imaging ? I understand that the 99 only sounds good when cranking up to high level of listenning. So many good testimony, I am tempted to place a call to order the TP2.1. Give me some good reasons, please.

My upgraded preamp just passed the 100-hour mark. Mixed emotions...