Hornshoppe "the Truth" preamp - any opinions?

@charles1dad I started to write a message on Thursday or Friday saying that I was going to to return the unit and spend the money elsewhere.  Then I came home and tried the silver input and it improved things quite a bit. I would not say that the improvement was revolutionary, but it's better than a direct connection, a smoother presentation with better bass.  It also spreads out the image a bit, which is impacting my ability to place instruments.  I think I can fix that by increasing the angle of my speakers though.  Have had visitors for most of the post-thanksgiving, so I've only been able to work very critically on the stereo a few times.

Unfortunately, adding the pre doesn't fix my low volume listening problem.  The Coincident PREs still fall apart at low volumes.  I had attributed that to distortion to the volume control on PWDac throwing away bits below 50% volume, but it appears that the speakers just need a certain amount of juice to come alive.  Disappointing that that wasn't fixable...  

Also, its clear that the pre-amp is still breaking in.  I've heard it change just over the weekend, as did everyone else in the house.

Hi Chris,
Thanks for the update report. So to be clear you have both copper wired and silver wired RCA inputs? I’m generally a silver wire (I.C and S.C.) type of guy but interesting the difference it makes (to the extent you describe) with your Truth Line Stage. It’s good to know your sound quality is continuing to evolve and  improve.

Sorry to hear about the issues with your PREs. Was this an issue with your Super Eclipse speakers? How low a volume listening level are you referring to? With my Coincident Total Eclipse II I can listen in the 55 to 60 db C-weighted range (low SPL for me) and it sounds good. Are you referring to similar SPL or lower than this? On the positive side it seems that the Truth and Frankenstein are going to be a ’very good’ match in your system. I believe the best is yet to come.
Charles



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Charles

I hope it's OK for me to add that I have a Truth Pre for sale on AC.
https://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=160754.0

Hi guys, just my personal experience. I followed Mr, Salvatore's advice re: the weight on top of The Truth. In my experience, the result was a deadening and closed in essence to the sound.
For me, the best result was with the lid completely removed. But, since leaving it open full time  seemed a little dangerous; l settled with the lid on but screwed in very very lightly. This result, l arrived at with the system on while varying the degree of screw torque. These four screws are found on the top outer side edges of the pre.
They basically hold the top plate but mine are not tightened.

I also slightly loosened the bottom screws of the bottom plate that hold the boards. They were torqued tight originally. ln my opinion, too tight. As soon as these bottom screws were loosened slightly, the sound relaxed and opened up. While listening and playing around with the 'tightness' of these screws, you can actually tune the sound signature. 

The Truth sits on a two inch slate slab that rests on a custom two tiered, two inch thick bubinga wood audio stand that uses one and a half inch threaded rods.

Mr. Salvatore was the inspiration for me to order The Truth unheard. 
I read a lot of his writing and find much truth in his discoveries and beliefs audio-wise. 
I agree that this pre is a revelation. 

This is my experience. Please don't hang me for it. YMMV.

@charles1dad yes, I have one silver input and two coppers. Copper on both outputs.

I'll check my spl (just using an uncalibrated Android app unfortunately) tonight and see where things fall apart. Pulled it out last night and things were still good in the 60-70 range. 

I took the truth out of the path yesterday and it once again improved things to put it back in. I was kind of hoping that wouldn't be the case so I could put the money elsewhere, but it looks like it'll have to stay.