Audio Horizons TP 2.0 Preamplifier

Here is some feedback on the Audio Horizons phono preamp. A friend of mine who has been auditioning one kindly lent me his for a few days.
I do not have much to compare it to in terms of other phono preamps and I am not sure of the "greatness" of my cartridge, but I am putting on the same artist and title on CD and phono and listening that way A-B. I am impressed with the phono being very natural, easy and relaxed sounding yet with sparkle and snap. It is very close to the sound of excellent CDs in terms of things that CDs do well. Air and bloom are very good and sound stage is excellent. It is an ultraquiet unit. I would be very happy to purchase the AH unit.
I have used Dark Side of the Moon, some Liszt Transcendental Etudes, Joan Sutherland arias, some solo guitar and piano and a symphonic piece for the comparisons.
Thorens 180TD turntable, Stanton cartridge, AH preamp, Aragon 8008BB amp and Von Sweikert VR4SR speakers.
Hope this helps anyone considering the phono pre.

For those who have rolled NOS tubes in the TP2.0 or TP2.1, would you please describe the sonic differences you observed compared to the stock EH69222 tubes?

Thanks.

For those who have rolled NOS tubes in the TP2.0 or TP2.1, would you please describe the sonic differences you observed compared to the stock EH69222 tubes?

Thanks.
Tvad (Threads | Answers)

No need to re-post unless you choose to do so. I went back through the thread and read some observations, so my question is essentially answered.

I found NOS tubes really improved the overall sound of this preamp. I highly reccommend the Siemens tubes that Joseph places in the unit as an upgrade. I tried some nice Mullards and Amperex Bugle Boy (white lbl), but over time I found the Siemens to be the perfect balance of neutrality and warmth. The Mullards were wonderful, but a little to "tubey" for my ears. Lost some of the transparency and softened up the dynamics a little to much. At first I loved them, but over time I found the above to be true.

To my ears the stock tubes lacked body and warmth and in the end were just less musical.

These comments are relative of coarse as the unit sounded very good with stock tubes. NOS's did improve the sound as noted above.

Bill

Bill, if you knew Tvad like I think I know him, I'll be willing to bet that he's already cherry-picked a NOS pair of Siemens CCa to try in locations one and three. By the way, I'm currently beta-testing( so to speak) a new, unknown power cord line and this new cord has raised my system to a new level of sonic bliss for me. I've only tried one version on my VAC monoblocs, but later this week I am going to put another version on my TP 2.0n preamp. I feel like a kid on Christmas Eve. What a thrill!