Audio Horizons TP 2.0 Preamplifier

I thought everyone had died and gone to heaven with their Audio Horizons preamps. I still haven't got the 2.1 in yet. I'll have more to say later.

Has anyone directly compared the 2.1 with the de havilland Ultraverve? I'll probably order one if the AH doesn't work out but I'm reluctant as there is nowhere to audition the UV.

I'm running Rogue M-150 monoblocks and Dali Mentor 6 speakers. I tried the Rogue 99 Magnum pre and was surprized at how veiled and lifeless it was after all the good press it has gotten. I'm using the 66 Magnum and while not as resolving as the 99 it certainly sounds more alive. So, onward and upward( I hope).

Thanks for the great response! $795 is too much right now for the B version and I was hoping I could hold off for awhile.

later...

Oddioo,

The best advice anyone can suggest is to take advantage of the home trial and see if the AH is your cup of tea. The thread is long and testimonials are too not give it a try, so decision time buddy. Which version is irrevelant IMHO since we are talking small differences that may not be necessarily improvements with the exception of going fully balanced through your entire "system".

Oddio
I ordered the B version of the 2.0 AH with the full intent to send it back if I could not tell the difference because $795 is substantial to me. Actually mine is a 1/2 B version as I only can go balanced to my amp and not from my DAC.
Well, in direct back and forth comparing of RCA and Balanced outputs I was very impressed that both were great and yet the balanced was better in my system. My non-audiophile brother also immediately noticed the difference with the balanced seeming more holographic and lifelike despite both version being great on dynamics, nuance etc. It was one of those situations that if I had not heard the B version I would have been blown away by the n version and perfectly happy with it. It could have been my IC's (one meter runs) . For the B version I used Joseph's IC's; for the RCA I used silver Guerilla Cable. But I suspect it is because of the high quality of the transformers used in the B version. I hope you enjoy your Ah when it comes. Let us know.
Joe

Oddioo,
Since you have the "n" version on its way, enjoy it in your system for a while. Later on, if you feel the urge to go balanced with the bigger transformers in the nB version( remember that you'll need balanced interconnects) you can always upgrade at any time. Like I said, I'm perfectly content with the original 2.0n version. Also, if you hadn't done it yet, start at the beginning of this thread and read through its entirety. There're a lot of posts in there commenting on the different versions along with comparisons to other preamps. Hey, if the preamp doesn't work for your system you can always return it and give the Ultraverve a try. I'm not familiar with your Rogue monoblocks or your Dali speakers, so you might ask Joseph or Victor how they feel about the preamp's compatibility. Have fun.

The amps are 150 watts each with 4 6550 power tubes each and 12au7 & 12ax7 in the driver section. My spkrs are small floorstanders with 2 6.5" mid/woofs and Dali's trademark ribbon/soft dome hybrid tweeter module.
The amp/spkrs have more to give so it's the preamp's lucky day.

The AH DAC-2A and the amps are balanced so I'd like a preamp with XLR in/outputs. (Try and find a quality balanced pre under $4000 new.)

I've been following (lurking?) this thread since the 2.0 hit the streets. You're right La45. It's 'decision time'.

Hopefully Joseph is back in the country so we can get rolling on this. Thanks again for all the comments.