Audio Horizons TP 2.0 Preamplifier

Sherod (and the gang)

I'm glad I covered my butt having The UPS Store double-box and over-insure the
VAC 220 monos I sold last week, lesson learned.

The working amp got a huge faceplate gouge and two knobs sheared off,
5 outta the 8 KT-88's crushed upon arrival.

I can't believe they had the guts to deliver them to the recipients door step.
(the damage being obvious)

Nice job UPS, now pay the claim and hire a responsible forklift operator, pony express would be safer.

Easy Sherod, you'll get there in due time, I know about patience, it's one of my non-virtues !

Mark, enjoyed your post, it's comforting to know the AH 2.0 is in good standing with a reference preamp as the AR REF 3.

That says a LOT about the AH 2.0, but I bet the gap "would close" with a 2.1 fully-broken-in (2 weeks solid) put to the test.

I see it like this, the REF 3 is the latest factory incarnation available from AR at this time and the AH 2.1 is Joseph's latest factory incarnation available, that would really put things into perspective.

I'm confused as to where this upgrade is going, left, right, up, down, break-in or break-out ?

Like La45, I'll wait for all the dust to settle, then make a decision.

I'll stick with my original mods, the acrylic top, floating the circuit boards and adding a Furutech gold IEC inlet for the time being.

The AH is already in batting distance of the infamous REF 3, what more could you ask from a 2.5K preamp ?

Now, I have to find some musical, dependable mono amps to get my tunes back up and runnin ........

My post somehow got moved under Victor's reply, making mine look moot, otherwise, my *confusion part* would never have been mentioned !

I should have known that tube selection (different gain issues) has a big influence and not everyone is running the same quads.

Victor, I KNEW the power supply would be a large part of the upgrade, will the new two-chassis preamp have a tube regulated power supply ?

I like this design idea (and the point-to-point wiring) it would seem to isolate any further noise issues, however, an umbilical cord and extra power cord gets thrown into the mix.

Thanks for the mention La45 !

My kit contains the (slightly) longer screws to match the butyl washers.

I hope Victor sees my last post, otherwise I'll contact him directly about my two questions.

I'm really curious of his mention of a two-chassis preamp and point-to-point wiring,
no boards to float and hopefully ?? a tube regulated power supply, how killer this would sound !

In the very begining, I called Joseph and asked what he thought of a separate power supply, but so much has been happening since that time, he may have forgotten.

Think about it kids, an all-out-assault preamp effort from Joseph ??

As good as the AH 2.0 and 2.1 are, this thing (maybe call it a 2.2) ? could literally smoke any and all competition in its path (probably still very affordable too)

Sherod, you and I would have to keep our curious hands off the insides !!

I can't wait to hear of an actual prototype, this could be very exciting.

Bill,

You may want to check into these http://www.ariaaudio.com

Hybrid design, stereo upgradeable to mono versions, power to spare, on-site voicing (if desired) a trial basis and lifetime warranty.

FWIW: an owner replaced a pair of Darts with the WT350 monos and preferred them to a pair of Karan 1200s.

Hi Rob,

This was a fairly common problem with all my tube preamps of the past.

You could try cleaning all the tube pins with Caig, if it still persists, you may have a slightly finicky/faulty tube that might need replacing.

I'm sure the ceramic tube sockets are OK, they're high quality and grip like a vice.

I'm looking to hear more comparisons to other Hi-End preamps, like Mark with the REF-3.

I'm having Joseph mod the livin crap outta my TP 2.0, maybe then it'll compare,
but I probably won't give a rats butt anyway.

Nice Sherod, thanks !

Hope 'your' Vacs return safely, my 220 monos got forked up !

Thanks La45 !!

Sherod, you might get the upgraded version again, strange, maybe your amps had something to do with your original decision ?

This was slightly confusing to me, possibly to others ?

Sherod'

You are forgiven, my brother from another, no further explanation necessary !

I have 3 possible contenders : Intuitive Delta Summits, RSAD Sasons or SP Techs.

I'm enjoying the NuForce monos behind our TP 2.0, the sound is truly sublime.

You'll never guess who he received the recommendation from.

Thanks Sherod !

Not to side-track, but John Stehno is da man when it comes to minimalist rack designs and techniques, seeing and hearing them is believing.

Thanks for the call Lewis !!

I'm right here guys, you'll be hearing from me shortly after I get my amps up and runnin, it's been a while I know ......

The Audio Horizons TP 2.0 sounds heavenly with the NuForce 9 V2 SE's.

I already heard a modded, tubed Transporter into the same amps and was not nearly as impressed.

I'll fourth the same suggestion, stay with making preamps (with room for future upgrades),
it's Joseph's forte'.

Besides, as quiet as the preamp is, it sounds as if power conditioning is already incorporated within it.

I'd like Joseph to design a TP model with a really killer power supply and call it the TP 2.2 ?

My guess is Joseph is taking care of family matters at this time.

Sherod, U-DA-MAN !!

A tube regulated power supply with oil filled caps is my next question.

I'm curious about Sherod's Clarity Caps and a tube-regulated or larger power supply option.

Anyone know Victor's contact number ?

I contacted Joseph today, no need for Victor's number.

I concur with Sherod about the Caps........ past, present and future.

Tuesday will be my day for listening pleasure with the ClarityCaps and some other goodies I had installed.

I'll post results when I run more hours on my unit, but so far what I gather from Sherod's results, it's a clear winner.

"Topology" that's the word I was looking for last night Sherod.

Before I listened to the ClarityCap installation, I returned my pre to Joseph for the power supply upgrade as well.

This should merit quite a phenomenal improvement across the board, without changing the original voicing or magical qualities already present.

I'll post in the next couple weeks when all breaks in and solidifies.

Thanks to Sherod, I had him post the photo of my preamp in its finishing stages.

Mark, I agree about room to spare, having the flexibility to accomodate future upgrades within a clean, simple, well executed design environment, or as Sherod quoted 'topology'

I should receive my pre next Tuesday (that's if FedEx or UPS don't perform a miracle disaster on it with their kid-glove services)

Actually, there is one (bad-boy, ultra linear, super quiet, EMI-RFI minimal radiating tranny) replacing the other two.

Look mom, no more copper wraps !

I parted with mine for almost 3 weeks (thanks to FedEx and UPS) you'll all get over it, I did.

Thanks for the words of encouragement Sherod.

After mine settles in, comparisons with other top-flite preamps is in order, just to have a better idea where it stands.

It's about time Sherod, we're all counting on you, the pioneer with the big machete, start choppin boy !

OK,

First evening with the preamp, initial impressions :

VERY, very relaxed and easeful, music has greater separation, dynamics and harmonic structure.

Much smoother and flowing, like water in a river, it's so easy and beautiful to listen, like real music.

I'm done for now, the preamp and I are slowly disappearing in the chain.

I'm around the 150 mark, still waiting for more to happen, but I'll hang in there, cause it still sounds awesome.

Mike,

Is Joseph installing your ClarityCaps ?

If that's the case, send your preamp to Joseph near Fall, have him do everything at once and be done with it.

There are certain things I do, but when it comes to small, fine soldering on sensitive circuit boards with close components forget it, I'd leave that to Joseph, trust me.

Hey Bill,

Wonder how the Dude would compare to the A.H. with all the current updates ?

(I had to ask !)

Guys, it's that power supply, the brothers at TRL have that down to a science, they made (past) / make (present) some of the best equipment on the planet, bar none.

My NuForce / A.H. sounds great, but things can change as we know.

Sorta like a "Doppler Effect" ?

Can any preamp be better than the final Audio Horizons TP 2.1 ? (kidding)

Thanks Mark and Sherod, for the after thoughts about me.

Mark's unit (the one I sold him) had nearly all future (at the time) and current parts, many of these were my wild ideas at the time.

I knew what the preamp needed for a bigger and better sound, which it definately has, Mark can attest to that, he really has a quite special pre.

Nice to see this thread is still alive and hasn't been removed again by the powers-that-be.

Take care guys.

Gammajo (and others)

The lid I created is 3/4" thick gloss black, acrylic.

I routed a step along the underside perimeter, so it (sits in) the top of the preamp with no screw holes.

The weight alone is plenty for safety reasons or whatever (yeah, I have a cat)

I lined the underside lip with adhesive-back felt strips, for a cushion between it and the top edge of the chassis.

Gaps were left between the strip ends for ventilation purposes, the preamp only gets luke warm, nothing to be concerned about here.

Personally, I think it looks so good, I wouldn't mind manufacturing a few one-offs or supplying dimensions for interested DIY-ers.

My supplier is a local plastic and fabricator shop, they roughed out the initial cut, I finished it.

It took *many-after-work-hours* on the Bridgeport, cutting, shaving and fine tuning for a perfect fit.

It's very hard to upload a good picture (since it's black) but in person, it looks beautiful.

Gammajo,
I felt my idea was getting rained on, so I was going to drop outta here.

As far as this safety issue : There are many tube amps that run "wide open" no chassis top, bottom or sides to speak of, with big hot driver tubes staring at your face, my VAC monos are an example, what's safe ?

Sherod, that's a great place, I've talked to Jeff G. many times, he knows speakers and crosssover designs like nobodys business.

Another material I have four sheets of, is called No Rez from GR Research, the other speaker genius Danny R.

I'm gonna put my lid on and shut off, good luck guys >>>>

No offense taken from you Gammajo, I just felt a bit "winded" on my topic (like getting old and stupid fast) !

This is the second day I woke up with major back pain that took me to my knees when I stood up.

Anyway (enough complaining) the sound to me is more "full and organic"
Of course, with your ears and system YMMV.

Anyone interested email me off-line, I'll gladly supply necessary imfo.

*Another member* will be joining in our "club" shortly.

He just recieved his TP 2.0 a few days ago and is letting it "settle-in" before giving his impressions.

Our thread will be a year old in a couple weeks !

I think the "new member" aquired the secret TP 2.0 MK2, it "blows our old units" away !!

He told me he stayed up all night listening.

Sherod, I was just kidding, nothing blows our preamps away !

Gammajo, will it be designated the secret MK2 or MK2.5 ??

Inquiring minds want to know, I'm an upgrade idiot. L.O.L.

I'm lowering my shelf tonight. HA !!

Here's another stumper :

I have the Siemens ECC88 with the *White Falcon* logo, non-gold pins.

Does anyone have these in their preamps ?

Joseph must have a special connection (possibly overseas) ?

I can't locate these anywhere else, Googled it.

Grannyring,

What characteristics do you like better about the Ampy B.B.s ?

Hey Rob,

Glad you joined, welcome here !!

I received my TP 2.0 preamp a little over a week ago.
All I can say is, it has no right to sound this good, esp. at the ridiculous low price !
You owe it to yourself for the 30 day audition, what's to lose ?
(the only thing I lost was my current reference preamp)
It continues to impress me with its realism, stark contrasts, natural warmth and sheer quietness.
Each day more magic eminates from my speakers since the TP 2.0 was inserted into the chain.
These are initial impressions after a week, it's getting better as it continues break-in and settles into my system.
I'll post a mini review later down the road.
Joseph Chow is the most honest, friendly gentleman I had the pleasure meeting.
His design is genius, I'm still scratching my head trying to figure out how the heck he did it.
The TP 2.0 is a winner in my book, it stays on the rack shelf.