Audio Horizons TP 2.0 Preamplifier

Rob,
Perhaps Joseph or Victor can answer your question best. All they told me, back when I was tube-rolling, was that locations 1 & 3 were the most critical for the sound. I would imagine that these are in the signal path. As to what locations 2 & 4 do, I can only take a layman's guess that they are for regulation. It's best to ask the "Master"( J. Chow) himself.

I'm new to AH, now trying out a modded 2.0 before ordering a 2.1. I've talked to Joe quite a bit and to answer about the tubes, 1 and 3 amplify, 2 and 4 are buffers. I love the preamp and after 2 days have already decided to order a new one and this is after living with an $8500 CJ 16LS II for over 3 years. Thanks to Grannyring for the recommendation. The demo doesn't work with my Atma-Sphere amps in balanced mode but even through the RCAs it's obviously a great preamp. I can't wait to hear the 2.1 in balanced mode as I'm sure it will be an improvement. This is the first thread my lazy ass has ever bothered to reply but this product is worth it.

David,
Welcome to the most exclusive pre amp club in town.

Thank you, I hope Rhanson sees my reply to his question about the tubes functions in the preamp. I also had to reply to some meathead on another thread accusing everybody posting here to be working for AH; that this preamp couldn't possibly be as good as you'll say. Also, wondering if anyone has a balanced version of the preamp and compared the two outputs; is the balanced upgrade worth $795 as I want to order a 2.1nRB. Thanks.

David, welcome to wonderful listening and a nice thread. I tried the balanced versus RCA with my 2.0n and found the difference to be immediate and dramatic and worth the $795 easily. My brother who is not tuned to these things also easily heard the difference within 30 seconds. The RCA's were decent quality silver IC's and the Balanced ICs were AH. My feeling was that the IC's were not accounting for much of the difference. There was a more holographic sound stage, blacker background and more nuanced detail.
Joe