Opinions on Hovland HP 100

I was interested in taking the line on until I heard it. When I listened to the Hovland I did not like it. I found it noisy and wooly. Maybe it was a synergy thing with the rest of the equipment, but I doubt it. The preamp is one of the most beautiful components I have seen, but sonically is was disappointing.

There are plenty of real good preamps, listen to as many as you can with your equipment.

Try listening to the Thor, BAT, Aesthetix or CAT. They are all quite good.

I just purchased one, although I cannot be a lot of help to you as I was using the ML 383 integrated before. I am using a "cheapo" amp while waiting for my amp. The performance of the Hovland with this "cheapo" amp is quite good! I have none of the noisy and wooly affects as described above.

As a side note, I would find it hard to believe that every review, that I have read, is wrong. Stereophile, TAS and Soundstage have all given it rave reviews, Soundstage adding it to their elite Reviewers Choice awards.

Before spending ANY amount of money on a preamp - you ought to ask around or post to various boards (like Audio Asylum) to request information on the Supratek Syrah & Chardonnay preamps.

The product is relatively new - but a review in Ultimate Audio is due out early in 2002. I myself have not listened to the preamp but have purchased one simply based upon the fact that several listeners with 200K + systems who I know and trust all have used and recommend this preamp. They suggest it's the best thing available under 20K.

The preamp is criminally cheap at $2100 - new. And can be built with a few (unpublished) options - I had to beg but I got them to make mine with a remote volume control, cinema bypass and XLR outputs.

You can check out the Supratek website on the link below:

Supratek Triodes