2. amps-preamps
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What is a good amp to pair with Hovland HP-100

Greetings all,

I'm starting to do research for a system upgrade and am pretty sure I want to check out the Hovland HP-100 preamp based on its excellent reviews. I would enjoy any suggestions or experience members may have with amplifiers (tube or solid in the same approximate price range) that they feel are a good match. I'm currently using a Unison Research Unico, so this will be a huge step up in performance for me. My turntables are Oracle Alexandria and Kenwood L-07D, speakers are Vandersteen 2ce (and will likely be upgraded as well).

I look forward to your opinions!

Regards,

rickk
rickk
agaffer
256 posts
 
I have a Hovland HP-100 and have tried it with the Radia, Theta Dreadnaught,
Audio Research VT 100, and McIntosh 750. Personally, I liked it best with both the Audio Research and the McIntosh.
I use a Lyra Titan cartridge, by the way, and the phono stage is fine. No problem with MC cartridges. I did change the phono tubes to RAM super quiet tubes.
rickk OP
15 posts
 
Well, to update, I passed on the Hovland for the reasons above. I really do think it's the best preamp I've heard but I also agree that it is wiser (at such prices) not to start from the preamp. I will start my search anew and hopefully have the opportunity to incorporate this beautiful machine into a system at some point. Thanks for the input!

Best,

Rickk
keithr
1,306 posts
 
Hovland works well with Krell, believe it or not.
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