Audio Horizons TP 2.0 Preamplifier

The 2.0 Joe sent has the upgraded caps, copper foil wrapped, and he hooked up the XLRs by joining 2 pins together, pseudo balanced, but it doesn't work with my amps. I went back and read more of this thread and with your comments Gammajo, I will definitely get the B as in 2.1nRB. I'd like to get the better tubes but I think I'll save that for another day, something to look forward to. I'm not selling my entire system, just thinning out and simplifying as the trip wouldn't be until next summer. Korea runs on 220-240volt so everything needs a step-down transformer. We make extra money there so I always try a lot of cables and when I come back I buy too much other audio gear to feed the habit. My system took a big change just before I got the 2.0, I think it had to do with too much wieght of a clumsy hand on the drawer of my DVD. So I had to send it back to ModWright to fix and sell to simplify as it has an external power supply. I bought the new Sony Blu-ray not in stores yet, BDP-S2000ES, and it is cheap compared to my old 9000ES. It's their new top-o-the-line ES and it doesn't do SACD! Joeseph asked for some internal pictures and said he might think about modding it; I wish he would. ModWright said they will some time next year. So my new system will be: Sony to AH 2.1 via Jena Labs Symphony to Atma-Sphere M60.3 by AH balanced to Tyler Acoustics Reference 2 bi-wired VeraStarr, all but amps feed from a Hydra 8 fed by a TaiPan Helix. Other PCs: JPS Digital AC(very good), AH Transparency for preamp, VH Audio Airsines to amps, the DVD and preamp plug into a hospital grade transformer that plugs into the Shunyata by a Virtual Dynamics Master (damn that thing is a pain in the ass, so heavy and stiff, but it put some meat on the bones, my wife said like going from monkey to human!?) The speakers are 2-piece so I could take half with me if, and it's starting to look like an if, we go back to Korea. Love the city of Seoul. It has thousands of restaurants and it's cheap enough to eat out almost every night. It has an electronics mart, YongSan, that has everything you have ever read about in the mags. Literally thousands of shops, a lot of small 1-room audio shops would have 100's of thousands of dollars of equipment packed in, I don't understand how they afford it. Anyway, enough rambling, I've got a preamp to order. Thanks for the welcome and I'll let you know when I get the 2.1 and how it changes.

Davidb7,

I was curious about why you purchased the Sony Blue Ray player. I have been thinking of buying it till I found that it has no SACD. The Denon is at the top of my list but I am waiting to see what else will fall from the tree before making the plunge. Great post by the way on the city of Seol.

Look forward to your comments about the sonic merits of the Sony. Feel free to PM me directly. Do not wish to dilute this superb thread.

David,

Yes, thanks, I saw your information about the tube positions. The answer seems to be in line with what I've experienced.

You may want to re-think your decision not to upgrade to better tubes. Joseph sells quality tubes - Siemens, if I recall correctly? When I received the TP2.0n, it came stock with EH tubes. I replaced them with Amperex PQ White Labels, and the difference was like comparing apples to automobiles.

Rob

Joseph definitely has a graet deal on the Siemens. Aren't they German tubes? I've tried the highly touted Telefunkens in another preamp, still have the pair, ECC801S. Also have a pair of beautiful Mullard ECC801S in original boxes, been tightly holding on to those 2 pair. I prefer the sweeter, warmer sound of the Dutch and British tubes. Speaking of which, Rhanson, I found some Amperex like yours but they are Philips made in Holland labeled SQ E188CC white label for $210/matched pair. Any info or experience with those? I'm going to have to start a new research line of work with the AH, there's just so many NOS of this type that I'd love to try. Some interesting reading at audiotubes.com/6dj8.htm. I'll get with you La about the other.

Gentlemen,
This thread has become fairly quiet lately. Is everyone just enjoying their music so much that they don't have either the time or inclination to put in any comments? I would love to hear from new owners of the TP 2.1 or thoughts from anyone else who has upgraded from the 2.0 to the 2.1. My main system is still down. My VAC amps are still at the factory waiting for a check-up. I didn't realize until they received my amps that there was a two week back-up in the service department. I sure do miss the music. Even though I have my bedroom system running, it's just not the same.