Audio Horizons TP 2.0 Preamplifier


Anyone famaliar with the manufacturer,and in particular
this pre amp.The credentials and testimonials seem
impressive.The advertised 10 day audition is appealing.
markwatkiss
Audio Horizons Upgrade

My AH 2.0 unit arrived back in good condition via Fed Ex from “the works” upgrade to 2.2 status (Power supply, Vishays, Clarity caps, g upgrade, fuse holder and tuning fuse.) As always Victor and Joseph were a delight to deal with. Here is a first impression report. Context: I had avoided the upgrade for a long time due to my years of satisfaction with the 2.0. In my opinion the 2.0 is an excellent unit with departures from live music mostly benignly ommissive versus distorted. Both the old and the new units were set up on Hyperion Magnetic decouplers and mass loaded.

Well. I am thrilled with the upgrade even before break in is complete. The overall impression is that whereas the 2.0 eloquently spoke the music, the upgraded unit beautifully signs the music. Yet nothing is softened that should be sharp or edgy. There is distinct improvement in many areas and no downside that I can hear.

I notice a much improved three dimensionality to the sound stage, particularly front to back layering, less congealedness in complex passages and ability to sense small movements. For example with someone in the background clapping you can sense the swing in their body to the beat. The lower bass is more present and weighty without being louder or boomy. The most wonderful thing is an enhancement in the decay of notes: more natural, going on forever, second and third order harmonics more organically present and beautifully interacting with the leading edge of the next note with all timbral differences remaining intact through such transitions as one note faded and another begins.

I find myself lifted in spirit and heart while listening and eagerly wanting to hear all my recordings once again not so much for increase detail as for increased beauty, emotional impact and naturalness. Thanks to all on the thread that experimented where the meek to not tread to suggest many of these improvements to Joseph.
Great impressions and analysis of what you are hearing with the new upgrades, Joe. I'm assuming it will only get better. Enjoy the music. (o:
Correction 2nd paragraph, 2nd line should read "the upgraded unit beautifully sings the music"
Joe,
I don't have any doubts that my early 60's NOS Siemens Cca are indeed the Holy Grail versions. Superb sounding from top to bottom.
Sherod when i checked my CCAs triode 1 tested ok on all 4 tubes but triode 2 was low on all 4 tubes i dont know about circuitry but i m guessing Joseph is leaning on the 2nd triode side of the tube. I m guessing i had over 2000hrs on them and there slow decay does lead to your ears adjusting to sound thats not as good IMO. The CCAs i was using were of the 70s version and i was able to bite the bullet and pick up 2 here on the Gon from the early 60s etching and all. Yes they sound fantastic in slots 1&3 using 70s CCAs in 2&4. I wonder if Josephs upgrade will have any effect on the drain of the 2nd triode.