Hovland HP100 vs CJ 16LS vs CAT Ultimate

Thanks for your reply..very helpful info..the Hovland is looking like a winner to me..my speakers have a slightly relaxed treble so the Hovland may be a better match than the CJ..which I'm sure is good too..very nice system you have put together.

I own the Ultimate and am trying out the Bryston 7bsts. Is it your view that the Hovland is distinctly superior to the CAT?

In my system the Hovland is superior but YMMV.

I am a CAT Ultimate owner who has not yet heard the Hovland. I have heard all the raves about the Hovland and, given that those raving seem to agree on what they like about it, I am sure that the Hovland competes in that ultimate preamp category and may be even better than the CAT. But, I don't see how anyone could say that the CAT is "in your face forward". It just isn't.