Audio Horizons TP 2.0 Preamplifier

Here is my impression of 2.1 after more than 120 hrs. superlative bass with slam and real control. The mid range is smooth, rich and gooey. Upper end sounds like percussion and upper octaves of electric guitars have individual and unique sound with air and transparency.
i am so excited with this 2.1, that i was able to get some early 60s seimens cca tubes which are on there way. i just could not resist and had to hear that additional air and transparency that is written about on this thread.
its a nice rainy day and perfect for music so its time for some rock and roll.

I auditioned the 2.1. I listened with the stock tubes, and with a quad of Mullard 6922. Both Belles 350A Reference and VAC Musicblock 160 amps were used. Speakers were Silverline Audio Sonata III, and speaker cabling was Silverline Audio Conductor. The TP2.1 was quiet, extended and created a large image. However, it was flat and two dimensional compared to the Supratek Cortese.

I'd have kept the TP2.1 if the Cortese wasn't so clearly more synergistic with my system.

Just thought I'd share some counterpoint.

System synergy is so important as well as personal preferences in sound. Not just gear synergy, but also room. I had the Supratek Cortese and Syrah as well as a CJ lS16 V2 in a system of mine about 2 years ago. Had all three great preamps for over a month to play with in my sound room. The CJ was the best of the three in that room and in my system back then.

I ended up owning the CJ and felt it was the best I heard until it went up against the AH a year ago. The AH was clearly better then the CJ which I liked better than the Cortese as I mentioned above.

I compared the AH to the CJ in a new room and with a different amp and cabling as an FYI.

I find the AH very 3D in my current room. My room is 19 feet wide by some 29 feet long. My speakers are a good 6.5 feet from the back wall.

I think the room, room size, gear, wire, room treatment, gear and wire compatability etc all come together making it very difficult to say on piece of gear is ALWAYS better then another when both pieces are world class.

The Cortese is a very fine preamp. I do remember both the Syrah and Cortese having a house sound if you will. They were not as pure and neutral as the AH and that in itself will bring different conclusions based on preferences. Both Supratek units were so smooth that over time the smoothness was evident on every disc I owned. I liked the sound, but the point is I knew it was the preamp's sound in my system. Both Supratek units are more "tube" sounding then the AH preamp in the best way. More fullness or roundness to the sound compared to the AH.

I suspect tube rolling could even change things more with these fine preamps.

I know Tvad, myself and others are having fun both listening to music and playing with gear!

Bill

Both Supratek units are more "tube" sounding then the AH preamp in the best way. More fullness or roundness to the sound compared to the AH.

Bill
Grannyring (Reviews | Threads | Answers)

Correct. The Cortese also produces a more holographic image in my system. Overall, I find the Cortese's presentation to sound more like real music, while the TP2.1 is more neutrally faithful to the recording. I believe the First Sound Presence Deluxe II, Modwright SWL9.0SE, and perhaps the new Modwright preamp would be preamps to try in head-to-head comparisons with the TP2.1. Especially the First Sound.

I have had many system iterations of neutral and transparent. I have chosen to move in a different direction.

Grannyring,
Did Joseph give you a parts,etc. breakdown of what all he did in your 2.0 upgrade. I have sent my preamp to Joseph to have mine done and was curious if Joseph gave you an itemization of what he did.