Audio Horizons TP 2.0 Preamplifier

Cedar,
Thanks for the preliminary information on Joseph's new SET amp. Could you give us some information on your Beta testing of the TP 2.0/2.1 with new upgrades? I have had these new Claritycap MR caps in my TP 2.0n preamp for about 100 hours. At this point, I don't want to take them out yet. Joseph is going to order a pair and experiment with them when he returns from Thailand in early April. I'm happy to hear from all the AH preamp family. It has been a while since I've heard from current or past users. Please keep this thread alive and post from time to time.

Joseph brought the test unit over to my home twice to listen to it in my system. So, I've had the pleasure of listening to the new preamp upgrade in my system for about two hours. That was enough to persuade me to order the the upgrade.

Before I say more about the improved soundstage, lower noise, greater detail and more natural sound - which I heard in these listening sessions - I will wait to receive the upgrade into my own system.

Just to be clear.When you say upgrade,are you referring to modifications for a 2.0/2.1 or an entirely new pre amp.

As you know, Joseph tries to offer upgrade paths. So, with respect to my system, I will receive upgrades to my existing 2.0nB (which has been modified previously from the original configuration).

Several weeks have passed since I listened to the preamplifier modification. I recall that the modifications to which I listened were test bedded in a 2.1 chassis. I don't recall the list of all changes made, but there were substantial changes made. These changes that I saw may be enough to justify a new model designation (changes such as new transformer). That may be the path Joseph takes. Victor would be a reliable source of that information.

I look forward to Victor's announcements. In the meantime, I have had enough time to evaluate these new Claritycap MR caps in my TP 2.0n and they are something special. They have taken the preamp to a whole new level. I know, I know. You're going to tell me, "But Sherod! You raved about the Vcaps you had in there and then you suddenly decided to go back to the Hovlands. Are you absolutely sure this time?" Yes, this time there is no mistake. These relatively new caps are a revelation. Their sound is quite neutral, and they have a cleanliness and transparency across the frequency spectrum that make the Hovlands actually sound like they are broken. Intertransient silence is phenomenal and dynamics are incredible. They just do everything right and are a perfect complement to the TP 2.0n. I wouldn't know how they would sound in the newer 2.1 version. If I had to pick one thing that really makes them stand out, it would have to be their dynamics. The micro-dynamics are so amazing that you'll hear things on recordings you never knew were there and the macro-dynamics will simply stun you. To suddenly be listening to a quiet passage of a recording at say, pianissimo, then a sudden fortissimo of music appears that will make you jump out of your seat is truly amazing. I have done a lot of internet googling about these caps and so far, most of the information is how good these caps sound in speaker crossovers, but in electronics, I'm going to assume they are equally amazing. They are fairly expensive, but in my opinion are well worth it. Hopefully Joseph will be able to evaluate a pair soon and I'm going to guess that he will be as impressed as I am. These caps are so revealing that they will help you to fine-tune other weak areas in your system. I have also found another power cord for my preamp which further reveals the musical pureness of the recording, thanks to these revealing and remarkable caps. Stay tuned for further reports.