Audio Horizons TP 2.0 Preamplifier

Stltrains, if you have bought a good set of early 60's Siemens CCa, hopefully prior to their change-over to another owner( @ 1965-66), with the grey plates, etc. you are going to be amazed at the magical portrayal of music. You'll especially notice this in locations 1 and 3. You might consider keeping Joseph's Siemens in 2 and 4 locations. I actually preferred the one pair of CCa's in mix with a later A-frame Siemens E88cc.

Bill, the preamp just passed the 59 hour mark and I'm starting to get a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel. A smidgen of life, warmth and body along with increased micro dynamics and transparency is setting in...but just a smidge. In my e-mail exchange with Victor, I mentioned that "breath of life"( one of my fave phrases) which was lacking. He explained that what I'm hearing is the natural compression and lack of air that is evident due to the lengthy break in until everything suddenly clicks in within the 100 hour mark. Apparently, the preamp will continue to further improve well after the 100 hours, but it will take up to the 100 hours just to get that "breath of life" which I'm missing. We'll see.

The free Audiogon trial period is 10 days. If one wishes to have the TP2.1 for an additional 30 days, one can pay for the preamp, and the money will be refunded after the additional 30 days if the unit is returned.

From the Audio Horizons TP2.1 listing:

We are even more persuaded of the superb performance and superior value of the Audio Horizons TP 2.1 than we were of the TP 2.0., so much so that we want you to listen to it in your own home over your own sound system. We therefore offer everyone who qualifies a free home audition...

If you are not persuaded that this is a stunning preamplifier and one you want to keep, return it within ten days.

If it takes longer than 10 days for the TP2.1 to break in, then the ten day free Audiogon trial period is not useful to the end user, and it's unfair to Audio Horizons to give the unit short shrift.

The audition period should be 30 days. Period. Whether one pays in advance or not.

I would agree with Tvad. I know from experience his wire takes a long while to fully break in. I think he uses the same wire in the wire harness.

Sherod, my unit is sounding amazing! Have you ever tried AH wire? It may be worth a try. Just start with an IC and see. Perhaps AH can send you a fully burned-in one to try!

I use the XLR in and outs on my preamp and wonder if you do Sherod?

Bill

Bill,
I have tried a couple of the AH interconnects and preferred a cable mix that I already had. I am still using an AH Premium( original) power cord version in my system with good results, though. I can't use the XLR outputs because my amp is only single-ended and all the rest of my ic's are single-ended as well. I would imagine that the XLR set-up would be quieter.

I just have to toast your auditory memory. You are listening throughout a 100 hour break-in and still remembering what the unmodded 2.0 sounds like for comparision. I would have to have the units side by side and do my comparisons that way unless the differences were very dramatic. I am very interested in your impressions as the units break in fully - that will determine whether I take the plunge. Perhaps I will compare my unit directly to a new 2.1. to get a flavor of what the ungrades will do. I use the balanced outs.