Audio Horizons TP 2.0 Preamplifier

Cedar, using the myrtle wood directly under the unit, do you then also have something to kill vibrations into the shelf from the ground, protecting the unit from outside vibration?

My impression (no science here) is that the myrtle wood is particularly good at draining vibration off and away from the audio gear. My audio shelves are suspended from the wall. I can jump next to them and not disturb a turntable playing. For this reason, I perceive the value of the myrtle wood blocks as "vibration drained away" rather than as "vibration prevented from reaching." It might work both ways - I can't tell.
Perhaps I should add that my shelves are wood, too - plywood with many coats of paint applied.

in the event one would like to upgrade the stock tubes without purchasing them from the manufacturer (as in I already have a new unit delivered on Friday) what tubes and from where should I be looking?

Rgd,
Victor can recommend some good dealers for you. Joseph and Victor both prefer the sound of Siemens CCa in this preamp, however, one owner that gave a testimonial in Joseph's web site liked some NOS Amperex. The preamp comes stock with EH( Electro Harmonix) tubes, which sound very good in Joseph's excellent circuit. Joseph's upgrade is, I believe, a 70's Siemens E88cc, which will give you a little better sonic picture. The ultimate tube for this preamp is an early 60's Siemens CCa, but they are getting rarer and very expensive. One nice thing to consider is that there are only four tubes in the preamp, and basically only two of them which are fairly critical in the audio signal path( tube locations 1 and 3 ). I was able to find a good pair of Siemens Cca for these locations and am using some late 60's,early 70's Siemens E88cc in locations 2 and 4. My recommendation is that when you get your new preamp, allow it to warm up for a few days to break in the preamp and get an idea of how it sounds in your system. You might just like it so much with the stock tubes that upgrading might become an alternative that you can wait on for a while. I lived with my stock preamp very happily for a few months before I got the urge to try some upgraded tubes in location 1 and 3. I hope you enjoy the preamp as well as I do. Happy Listening.

An excellent source for NOS tubes is Brent Jesse,
[email protected] helpful and very fast turn around time.And hey,welcome to the most exclusive pre amp club in town.