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Should I replace my 20-year-old Hovland Radia Amp?

I recently upgraded my speakers to Sonus Faber Olympica Nova V. My preamp is a relatively new Pass XP-30. Ditto my VPI Prime Signature turntable and Moon 280 D streamer. My phono preamp is an older ARC PH-7. 

About 20 years ago a friend asked me to help him buy a new system. We took three days and drove all over Southern California. He purchased Wilson Sophia speakers. The dealer recommended the Hovland Radia amp. The Radia was the only solid state amp Hovland ever made. The company cliams it took ten years to perfect it. We tested the Radia against a few other very good amps and both liked it. Several years ago my friend passed away and I inherited the Radia.

Paul Bolin describes the attributes of the amp in a 2004 review much better than I could : "[The] Radia was a delight to listen to in virtually all respects. It consistently displayed a light, limber touch with images and timbres. Dimensionality was surprisingly and delightfully tubelike in its solidity and freedom from too-sharp, unnatural-sounding ultra-definition. The point source of each instrument's body was clearly discernible, but didn't exist in highlighted isolation from the air around it or the sound of the recording venue. The Hovland's overall resolution of detail was very good, bordering on the truly exceptional, and there was never any sense of resolution for its own sake. It always maintained a holistic sense of continuity, embracing all aspects of the music and knitting together the disparate parts of the recorded experience."

I was fifty-eight when I took that three-day jaunt with my friend who purchased a fairly expensive stereo system. I am now 78 and do not have the energy to go looking all over L.A. for a new amp. I could, however, go to a few dealers. The one closest to me carries Macintosh amps. 

My question is this: could the superb Hovland Radia now be so out-of-date that I should seriously think about replacing it? Or just "love the one I'm with"?

128x128audio-b-dog
audio-b-dog's avatar
audio-b-dog OP
33 posts
 

Thank you all for your thoughtful responses.

Devinplombier, my SF Olympica Nova V speakers have three 7" woofers. I would like a bit more power, but I would say the Hovland handles them pretty well. Hovland is not known for its bass--more for its liquid, magic mids and highs. But I wouldn't replace the amp simply for more power, although I would like something more in the 200 wpc into 8 ohms range. 

Lucky-dog777, thank you for your detailed response. I did a bit of research on Pass amps. The X250.8 sells for $10,500 and puts out puts out 250 wpc into 8 ohms. Is that what you were talking about or something more expensive? I don't think I'd go over $10k and even that would take some fancy dancing with my wife. 

glennewdick's avatar
glennewdick
1,705 posts
 

After doing some research into Hovland after one of their preamps came into the used market locally i would say sell it and buy a Pass amp to match your preamp. Hovland had some strange ideas and practices not based in engineering in anyway.

 

dekay's avatar
dekay
5,650 posts
 

glennewdick:

You may enjoy this post/tread about Hovland.

https://www.diyaudio.com/community/threads/my-time-at-hovland-hp-100-lore.227913/

 

DeKay

lucky_doggg7
130 posts
 

Hello B-Dog!

I noticed something in your original post that is pretty important in selecting amps, and that is their weight.  B-Dog, you're 78, which is fantastic!  At the same time, we all lose some strength as we age.  My Pass XA-200.5's, it can be a boat anchor at 160 pounds.  In short, I'm going to provide some info, and I need you to decide how you're going to get it where it needs to be.  For now, I say this, nothing is worth hurting yourself, and I mean throwing your back, or worse yet, dropping your amp on yourself because you lost the "handle" on it.  Okay, now some amp weights: 

1. 100 lbs - Pass X260.8 Monos (1 amp per channel so 2 amps) 

2. 100 lbs - Pass XA-100.5 Monos (2 amps) 

3. 62 lbs - Pass XA-60.5 Monos (2 amps) 

4. 88 lbs - Pass XA-60.8 Monos (2 amps)

5. 127 lbs - Pass X350.8 Stereo Amp (single chassis) 

6. 105 lbs - Esoteric S-02 Stereo Amp (single chassis)

Pass X260.8 Amps - $9,000.00

https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/650167152-pass-labs-x2608-monoblock-pair/

 

Pass XA-100.5 - $7,000.00

Me!  I have a pair I'm trying to sell.  I'm in CA also.  

 

Pass X-350.8 - $6,500.00

https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/650134627-pass-labs-x3508-power-amplifier/

 

Esoteric S-02 - $10,500.00

https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/650172955-for-sale-esoteric-master-soundworks-s-02-stereo-amplifier-like-new-120v60hz-us-version-with-all-orig/

I was unable to find used XA-60.5 or XA-60.8 amps.  I threw in the Esoteric S-02.  That is a very special amp.  I have the previous generation amp, the A-02 and it is a fabulous amp.  Very different from the Pass having a warm midrange/lit from within presentation.  The Esoteric, it is warm leaning, but very precise, detailed and a fast amp.  Anyways, this is just one person's opinion so do with it what you will.  Happy amp hunting!  

audio-b-dog's avatar
audio-b-dog OP
33 posts
 

Lucky_dog7777, thank you for all that information. My Hovland is a heavy amp and I need help from younger, stronger neighbors to put it on the bottom shelf of my audio racks. I have a terrible back getting worse by the minute. Another problem in testing amps. 

I called the guy who fixed this amp and asked him what he thought about me recapping it. He said don't fix it until it's broken. I think what I have taken out of this discussion is that I will keep my Hovland until it breaks or I can hear deterioration, and then I will look at Pass amps. I'm not going to have a huge budget. Maybe $10K, so hopefully a Pass amp in that price range will sound as good or better than my Hovland.

Thank you for your help.

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