Sherod i was talking to the wife about the RMAF and being from a area thats some what lacking in audio stores i am giving serious thought into making nexts years show.
I would love to be able to have a better perspective of audio gear thats available. After 40 plus years of enjoying this hobby i have never been to a hifi show of any kind. Its on my list of things to do.
I sure would like to get a few others in the area to form some sort of a audio get together thing. so far no luck. |
Tvad my audition 2.1 had 50hrs on it according to Victor. There operation is so customer friendly that its a super pleasure to deal with Joseph and Victor at Audio Horizons. |
"Oh, the life of the continuously upgrading audio hobbiest. If only I could leave well enough alone sometimes."
Sherod if this is not the audio truth i dont know what is. I think its the explorer in guys that drives us to this end.
On the CCAs i understand your concern, with the cost of those tubes. Am i correct 10 thousand hrs for a NOS CCA, thats a long time. Mine came today but i wasnt home to sign for them. Tomorrow i will be finding out what the CCA magic is all about. Your quote above qualifies, the siemens that Joseph supplies with 2.1 are sounding very good. but i have to explore.
I love this hobby and quest for the best sound i can afford.
If you chime in Victor how did it go at RMAF. |
Got the CCAs today opened up 2.1 and i must say the layout is superior. Removed the ecc88s that Joseph included cleaned and used the smallest amount of walkers sst on the pins. Joseph had small rubber dampers on the 88s so i put them on the CCAs and installed them in 2.1.
Right off the bat the difference is quite audible. I was told that 80 plus hours will be needed for the nos CCAs to get well broke in.
The only thing i have noticed is a ping from the left side when you tap 2.1 that wasnt there with the 88s.
Now i think i understand what all the excitement is about with siemens CCA tubes being used with Audio Horizon gear.
Sherod hang in there your going to be alright with your upgrade give it some time to work into your system and enjoy the music. |
Gammajo thanks for the input on my pinging or i should say microphoning. Will try what you mentioned. Did you mean lifting the pcb that the tubes mount to? Going to play with it tonight.
The 2.1 with cca tubes makes this already fine preamp a killer preamp. And i am not even using the balanced inputs. Do you guys have balanced units. If so whats your thoughts.
The pinging is bothersome only when changing lps. I just might blow off dealing with pinging tonight and just relax and play some good old classic rock and roll.
thanks again Gammajo |
Hello guys and let me say thats what i love about this great hobby the support and responses from fellow audiophiles when in need.
This is what i did. I swapped front to back and removed the damper. Same ping but right channel instead of left. I inserted one of the ec 88s into slot 4 and tried no ping. Slots 1 and 3 are the ones i want the CCAs in so i still have most of the benefit of the CCAs. Going to contact my seller and see what he has to say.
Thanks again all. |
I put a ec 88 in slot 2 to have balance. Contacted my tube man and as you guys know the cost of ccas is well, a sellers market. I hope to hear from him tomorrow.
I have made so many changes that i think i need a good nights listening to get my bearings.
Gammajo but as far as i can tell with a short time with out the rings i believe more air and a delicate sound. I had a hard time finding a difference with half cca and ec 88 to.
Like Sherod said if we could just leave well enough alone. but nooo we have to experiment and try different things. |
Well all i dont have a audition 2.1 any longer. I'm not letting this fine preamp go anywhere I'm buying it. It was not a easy decision as my nuforce p-9 is also a very good performer. Very quite, fast, but in the end i have warmed up to the sweet tubed sound of Josephs very fine 2.1 preamp.
This preamp seems to match up exceptionally well with my ref 9 se v2s and linbrook signature system. Along with my jps sc2 ics and speaker cables i am getting sound that i hope to live with for a long while.
Going to leave the explorer in me locked up and enjoy the beautiful sounds of music i am hearing now from my system. My analog front end is certainly providing the source for a clean, sweet, delivery of musical sounds.
I would like to give Joseph and Victor a big thank you for designing, manufacturing, and running a audio company that puts out super fine gear and offers a high level of customer satisfaction. |
Sherod I'm very glad you have the sound back that is to your liking. Its a fine line especially when you have already achieved and had that special sound, then its gone way to go you explorer you.
Last night was lp cleaning night for me and now that i have switched to walkers prelude system, the time factor is doubled. From what i can hear its worth the extra time though. Bad part a lost night of music.
I'm going to poll you guys as i have a decision to make. I asked for a 2.1 nrp to audition and was sent a 2.1 nbrp. I have not used the balanced connections. Victor is sending me a xlr ic for me to try balanced out. I know Grannying prefers balanced. How do the rest of you feel about balanced connections. I dont have any source gear that is balanced. My amps do take both rca and balanced ic. Its a 800 dollar upgrade. And for me as with most every dollar is valuable. |
I was checking our posts and saw the number 666 as the number of posts to this thread. not any longer.
Guys and gals have a great musical weekend. |
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Hello all i have seen a few mentions of floating the tubes. Do you mean taking the 4 screws out and just letting the board sit or do you put something under it? |
Hello Rx8man did you get my pm. looking to get your tube float kit. thanks |
Super review in my opinion from a respected and fine web site. I like the short but well put informed reviews. It also seems that AHs interconnects and power cords are in favor at 10 audio.
Congratulations Joseph and Victor and all at Audio Horizons for a positive review of your gear. I hope more are to come.
Also thanks all for your input on balanced ics. I should have a balanced ic from Joseph this week to hear for my self. |
Well guys i took the good advice and played with moving my speakers. Yes it made my sound better by a wide margin. Before the move my speakers were approx. 7 feet apart. Towed in some what. Now they are spread out a few more inches and just barley towed in. For those who have not tried this with the addition of 2.1 do your self a favor and do it.
On another front the wife has had it with the carpet in our great room and we are going with wood. I am hoping for the best for not losing the find sound i am getting now. We bought a large 8X10 area rug for between the seats and speakers. I guess thats progress.
Wishing all the best to you guys and gals... |
Hey Sherod i was in your situation until Thursday, we have been installing a glued wooden floor in our great room and my system had to come down, 10 days. if there ever is a next time i will pay some one to install the floor.
now i am trying to get the sound i had with wall to wall carpet. looks like i'm going to have my work cut out for me to achieve that.
Victor sent me a pair of balanced ics i put them in yesterday. one thing that i noticed is the bass is more under control compared to rcas. this is my first usage of balanced ics and with my room completely different sound wise its tough for me to get a handle on them.
well all have a good one. |
Hello all i am up and running, i have my room acoustically hooked up and sounding great after the new floor install. I have taken Tvads lead and have a pair of lessloss PCs coming for my Ref 9 se V2s. They are so backed up its taking longer than expected. I also have some of Josephs Dimension biwired speaker cables on the way along with a Dimension rca for phono amp to 2.1. Santa came to south Louisiana early ho ho ho. Wishing all a very Merry Christmas and happy holidays. |
i just received bi-wired Dimension speaker and a rca interconnect for between my phono amp and 2.1. i was so impressed with Dimension xlr between 2.1 and my amps i had go the entire system with Dimension wire. Joseph burned them in but i think they need a little more time before full break-in. for the price you get a super value in cables in this out of site part of audio IMO. I dont see much other than the price of Dimension on AHs web site but take it from me this is some fine wire. |
Sherod glad your system is up and running, man it would be a real bummer for me and the wife to be with out music.
My AH speaker cables have fully broke in and no doubt Josephs wire is first class in build and sound very impressed.
I have Lossless PCs ordered since early Dec. Still no delivery. Looking forward to giving them a try hopefully soon.
Wishing all the very best sound this New Year. |
Frankk i auditioned both balanced and non, i went with balanced due to the super quite delivery. i could have lived with the non balanced 2.1 for sure.
you will be very happy with the non balanced 2.1. you may want to look into some tube rolling when the time and your pocket book are right.
i'm sure other posters to this thread will chime in.
welcome and enjoy. |
Sherod to a nube here i have to say if it wasnt for your posts to this thread i may not be a Audio Horizons owner now. glad you are happy in music again. keep us posted on 2.0
My new dimension wire is settled into my system and i am very pleased. replaced my JPS superconductor 2 wire.
Got my Lossless PCs in and using them with my nuforce amps very well made and sounding power cords. they replaced my black sand violets. |
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Mitch i understand your frustration with Audio Horizons Web site concerning Dimension ICs and Speaker wiring. The only mention is the price list. Let me say though that after getting and using Dimension ICs and speaker wire i am totally floored at its quality build and of course its musical presentation. In my case i retired my JPS Superconductor 2 ICs and speaker wire. I would not have believed it. Now my whole system is Dimension wire. I went the same route as you the 30 day trial. I believe that before you buy if possible you should try. Hope this helped and good luck. |
Mitch here is a email i received from Joseph regarding the differences in Transparency and Dimension, this was last month. Maybe he doesnt want the conductor material known, not sure though. Maybe he will chime into this discussion.
The geometry is total different in between them, Dimension takes double time to build and the material.
Best,
Joseph |
Clio09 this is what i think Joseph is doing with his options in a line stage preamp. 2.1 is available in what needs the buyer wants for his system or what he can afford. And a good thing i think.
I would be interested in what your thoughts are if you get a phono equipped 2.1. |
Hey all nice to read new posts. My 2.1 along with the rest of my system is in tune and sounding fine. Dont know about you guys and gals but i have been getting in some long and satisfying music sessions and spending less time on the net and more time listening to the music. All have a super Memorial day weekend to you that served thank you. |
I have not looked back using my SE V2s with Audio Horizons 2.1 a real music pleaser combo IMO. |
Victor i like your idea for 2.1 and will be checking this thread for the release of your new upgrade. I could not be any happier with my AH preamp. I know if you have ideas for making that fine unit better i am all for it.
On the input side i would like a phase reversal switch. Vinyl is my front end of choice for superior sound and some lps are pressed out of phase, a phase SW would make life easier.
Rgs92 i am also a Beatles disciple and read you post on the early recordings. Have you tried the MFSL or the English blue box recordings on vinyl, no problems with upper frequencies. I was going broke trying to find early pressing that had good sound. I still give early lps a shot but enjoy my reissues better sound wise. |
Thanks for the update Victor keep us informed of further progress with upgrade of 2.1. I am in between lps and have to mention just how fine of a job Audio Horizons has done with 2.1, i could not be any happier. Looking forward to what you guys have in mind on improving this fine preamp. |
Markwatkiss is it humming with no inputs connected.
I also have been enjoying my AH without any problems just great musical enjoyment. Though i am using Siemans cca i am looking into trying different tubes to hear what Telefunken and others would bring.
Its been a while since the announcement of upgrade to 2.1 by Joseph is any word known on this upgrade. |
La45 i use Dimension balanced, rca ics, bi speaker wiring and can say they help create my systems believable 3d airy presentation. Thats because they seem to have no impact of there own just pass sound clearly. Well made and highly transparent.
BTW are you located in any area near La45. |
Yes La45 i am enjoying Josephs Dimension ics and speaker wire. I have compared them to JPS superconductor 2, and Josephs Transparency line.
I've been to AHs web site recently and see it has changed some. What i dont understand it the lack of description concerning Dimension cables. One thing i noticed though is the price has not changed since i made my purchase and thats a good thing.
I am in Louisiana and drive La 45 every day.
Have a good one. |
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La 45 if you are ever down to the big easy get in touch and we will pass a good time.
For those interested, upgrades to 2.1 will be forth coming a reply from Victor by email.
Sometime in November we will announce two new upgrades for 2009. They are expensive upgrades, one affecting the entire power supply, and one providing another level of upgrade quality to the circuit and caps. Combined, the two would provide a dramatic increase in the performance of older 2.0 and 2.1 preamps.
I will have more to say about this on the discussion forum and in a newsletter later this month.
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I emailed Victor and Audio Horizons several times in the past 5 months about the upgrade with out a response from AH. Mighty strange i would say.
Hoping all is OK with Victor and Joseph. I'm a happy music lover with my 2.1nrb with early 60s Siemens CCAs. |
Victor i was checking about the upgrade to 2.1. Likely what Rx8man has in mind. No big deal for sure as i am quite happy with my AH preamp. Thanks for responding. Mike |
Sherod thanks to your findings with clarity caps and Josephs announced upgrade Audio Horizon preamp users will be getting a better preamp, and to improve on what i hear now from my 2.1 NBR i cant wait. What i mean is i could not be more satifyed now with 2.1 hours on end with complete musical enjoyment.
Many thanks to you Sherod for your efforts and to you Victor and Joseph for the up coming improvements.
Mike |
That's a nice pic sherod the lay out is different than 2,1 for
sure. Keep us updated on further developments. |
I contacted Victor last week and he responded to me, power supply upgrade was 500.00. They were at that time still looking for suppliers of Clarity and other manufacturers of caps to put a price on that upgrade. Turn around time one week.
I'm most interested but dont want to be with out my system. This will give me time to hear what others think about this upgrade as my next planed vacation is months down the line.
I'm enjoying music daily and have no problem with the sound of my system using the stock 2.1rnb. But like my last and most recent upgrade my speakers a huge audible move upwards, i'm thinking this upgrade to 2.1 will be another positive move and hopefully worth the price.
Mike |
Rx8man I'm in a holding pattern waiting for
My claritys to arrive. Between Sherod and your
Comments It won't be a minute to soon. I'm like you
Daily enjoying the music keep us updated.
Mike |
I was going to install them myself. It won't be till later in the
Summer before I can get the power supply upgrade. I refuse to be
Without music. What's your thoughts rx8man?
Mike |
Wow Sherod thats a little close for comfort. I love the way the country is moving &*%#@!?<+-.... yea right, sorry i know this is not the place for this.
Rx8man my job involves soldering in tight spots and componets ive been doing it for a while it should not be a big deal. But i thank you for the reply.
Does anyone know if Victors Clarity upgrade is just caps or is some other components included?
No doubt the dude has been getting a lot of posts here and other sites.
Bill when you say by a large margin could you expand on that for us?
Mike |
Gammajo you wrote it well in your post. I am so happy with my systems sound now that playing the equipment in and out game is not on my list any longer. Yes i can go along with upgrades to my gear thats a no brainer. And with AH, Nuforce, Tyler, Sora sound, and others in my fold its most definitely more than the gear. First class customer service and friendly business models are so refinishing and appreciated. And when it all comes together with a sound that is music to the ears quoting cousin Eddy "BINGO"
Markwatkiss nice jingle for the masses i'm sure.
Mike |
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Caps and coils is where I purchased mine very reasonable for another
Option.
Mike |
Cider many thanks for the info. Joseph is really going all out
With improving an already fine preamp. I'm hopping he has it all
Together by next month as I will be ready for rolling the dice
With shipping my 2,1 in for a upgrade. I've been lucky so far using
The usps you never no when your luck will run out though.
Mike |
Sherod I went the audition route and would say Joseph gave me more
Than enough time and I was won over by the fine sounding 2,1.
I sure would like to hear from more AH pre users who have gone
The upgrade route.
Mike |
O yea Siemens early 60s CCAs are a step up along with Josephs Dimension power cord and ICs. Time on my system adds up
pretty fast as i daily play at least three or four lps and weekends its a music fest down here.
After all these years i still cant get enough of that good ole classic rock and roll. |
Sherod aint life grand when your stereo can deliver that natural sound.
What kind of wire did you use.
Mike |
Gummajo i am going with V3 upgrade before pulling the plug on upgrading my 2.1. Not to dis this thread with other Manufacturing talk but the price is right and the prior 2 upgrades SE and V 2 were good moves to a better sound i cant pass V 3 up.
I m so happy with my 2.1 i feel the same way dont want to mess up a good thing for now. |
Thanks Cedar for your update, i have a Transparency PC now on my 2.1. Sounds like Joseph is doing what he can to make a good item even better by refining it. I like what i m hearing using his Dimension ics with my gear good sound and well built. |
Thanks Cedar so what was talked about months ago with 2.1s upgrade is now 2.2 and thats different than what was done with the power supply and other parts of 2.1 then is that right. I use Dimension power cords Cedar can you compare with Josephs new design. just checked the web site and theres nothing new there. will keep an eye on this thread. |
For me now with my upgraded amps and using 2.1 i am most definitely not suffering from lack of music in fact i am in total musical joy with my system. I know from posts above on the power supply upgrade and clarity caps which with shrods help i added to my 2.1 i could not be any happier with Audio Horizons and looking forward to hearing what 2.2 is and will bring. Sometime change is good and then it can be a step backward so i will be checking on the progress of 2.2. |
Looks to be a winner like 2.1 would love to hear from users when broken in. I can attest to 2.1rnb this preamp is a very important part of my system and delivers music like i expect quiet, full body and image, a super sound stage, and life like timber.
Sherod using Clarity caps was an important move up. I just lost my money source and cant make big buys for now but i will invest in the hifi tuning fuse. |
